POVERTY
Guaranteed incomes beat minimum wage
Thomas Sowell is right: Raising the minimum wage isn’t the way to combat poverty (“To combat poverty, don’t rely on a minimum wage,” Opinion, Sept. 24).
Young people, or people with little work history, often get low-paying jobs so they can get job experience. They aren’t supporting themselves, much less families. Minimum wage laws can price people out of the job market, thus making it impossible for them to get much-needed experience.
A guaranteed annual income that would go to each citizen as an economic floor would be a much more practical way to combat poverty. People naturally want to better themselves and would get jobs — even very low-paying jobs — to add to their guaranteed income. A guaranteed annual income would be superior to the minimum wage as an anti-poverty measure.
DENISE NOE, ATLANTA
JEKYLL ISLAND
Environment, visitors need better protection
“New hotel will help reinvigorate island” (Opinion, Sept.20) suggests that Jekyll Island’s new Westin Hotel, soaring to 67 feet and blotting out ocean views, will be instrumental in revitalizing the island. But in whose eyes? Those who thrill to gaze upon towering walls of concrete, brick and steel? Those exclusive few who prefer — and can afford — their ocean views from behind plate-glass windows high above Georgia’s declasse?
There’s a good reason Glenn County imposed a 45-foot limit on the height of buildings. Coastal Georgia — with its stately live oaks, shifting sand dunes and unique wildlife — requires guidelines for protection of the environment and the enjoyment of all visitors. The JIA’s blatant disregard for these height restrictions is indicative of its insensitivity to both.
BRENDA CONSTAN, ATLANTA
MASS SHOOTINGS
Gunman’s profile just a reflection of us all
Once again, a mass shooter is in the news. There is plenty of discussion about recognizing the mentally ill among us right now.
The profile of the mass shooter seems to be predominately a white, young adult male with anger management issues and extreme paranoia. He may be hearing voices, suspicious of being spied upon and concocting conspiracy theories against our government.
The shooter is not just an individual: He is this nation, and exemplifies all that is going on in our country right now. Add to this access to unrestricted stockpiles of weapons, and you see repeated incidents of violence on our front pages and TV screens.
We need to quit blaming the mentally ill, and start recognizing the society that causes the mentally unstable to act out. Stop the hate speech, get rid of the guns and let’s take care of one another.
MARGARET HANSEN, SANDY SPRINGS
