Run government like one’s household
It’s very puzzling to me how liberals and conservatives can be so similar on certain matters and completely different on others. For example, I feel liberals and conservatives manage their homes on a budget to be sure they have more money coming in than going out. This is the same formula conservatives feel our government should abide by. Liberals feel that our government should take care of all problems poverty creates without realizing where the funds come from to solve those problems.
Our Founding Fathers wanted citizens to have the opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but did not guarantee it. I feel those citizens who are poor through no fault of their own should be helped by charities, churches and neighbors, not government. Our government feels the answer is to tax the rich, but the rich create jobs the poor need. The secret is to give the rich a tax break where they can afford to create more jobs, which translates into more tax revenue for the federal government.
Why would most citizens be conservative in running their households and want their government to be run in a liberal manner?
JOE ORR, ALPHARETTA
Race reconciliation only part of solution
As the late Gov. Ann Richards said about the late President Ronald Reagan concerning a comment he made about liking women, “He likes us in the kitchen. If President Reagan continues to like me, I’ll have to take in ironing.” That’s how most blacks felt about affirmative action. An example is my own experience.
Atlanta Fire Station No. 8. was all white when I left the city to attend a historically black college and university and serve in combat in Vietnam with the USMC. Upon returning to Atlanta, I applied to the city for a police officer or firefighter job. The fire department called first. Upon reporting to Fire Station No. 8, I was asked, “Affirmative action?” No, I replied. Scored 120 on the test. Aced the test and received 10 points for veteran’s preference and 10 additional points for having a Purple Heart.
Racism is systemic and on-going. Reconciliation is only part of the solution.
RONALD D. JOHNSON, AUSTELL
We need to support our world-class gem
What is the future of a metropolitan area that spends billions in public and private funds to build stadiums to retain mediocre teams, but is unable to even support its truly world-class team? AJC headlines are filled with stories about the dire consequences should we fail to build luxurious new stadiums for the lackluster Falcons and Braves. Meanwhile, we have neglected our truly world-class gem, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
Past proposals to build a new symphony hall died with hardly a whimper. Now, the ASO has canceled a large part of the concert series due to a dispute precipitated by debt and inadequate public and corporate support. We may be at risk of losing the ASO itself. Something is dreadfully wrong with our priorities.
ARNOLD C. McQUAIDE JR., BERKELEY LAKE
