Buckle up in car, stop road fatalities
Another young, wonderful person died this past week after being ejected from a vehicle during an accident. What is the problem with buckling your seat belt? Is it uncool? Afraid of what your friends might think? Do you think you’re indestructible? I have been in the auto service industry for 35-plus years. I have seen and witnessed the progression of safety technology during this time, from lap belts to air bags to electronic warning systems. The manufacturers have spent millions on research and charge thousands to the consumers for this technology to make you as safe as possible in case of an accident.
Young drivers, when you are behind the wheel, you are the captain. Tell your passengers to buckle up or get out. And if it’s your Mom or Dad, tell them you love them too much to lose them to a senseless accident. You never know what’s coming around the bend at you. Be prepared for the worse. I write this because I am tired of seeing beautiful lives lost. I ask you to take the responsibility into your hands. Buckle up no matter what anyone says or thinks. Make your passengers do the same. Let’s put an end to these tragedies.
ROBERT STARFORD, DACULA
Folks can’t survive on $7.25 an hour
Thanks to Dan Chapman and Michael E. Kanell for their analysis of the economic position of low-wage workers (“Recession sharpens Ga. wage war,” Business, Sept. 7). They present data disproving arguments that only the very young work for minimum wage, and that increases weaken the economy. In fact, 49.6 percent of minimum-wage workers in 2013 were 25 or older; states with stronger economies, such as California and Massachusetts, have minimums of $10 or higher. Chapman and Kanell point to the work of economists at Standard & Poor’s who find that economic growth is slowed by the economic inequality fueled by low-wage jobs. Today, 1 in 20 Georgians work for $7.25 an hour, when only 1 in 33 did so 10 years ago. People cannot survive on $7.25.
ANN MAUNEY, ATLANTA
Higher pay means worker benefit cuts
The recent protests for higher wages for unskilled positions in fast-food restaurants may have an unintended and unwanted consequence if the minimum wage is increased. Many of these workers must hold more than one job to make ends meet. Even so, many of these minimum-wage workers still fall under the poverty line. As a result, they receive numerous benefits from the federal and state governments. A raise to $15 from the current $7.25 per hour would surely put some of these people above the poverty line, thus reducing or eliminating their benefits. Has this crossed their minds?
SUZANNAH HEIMEL, LILBURN
