GOVERNMENT
Products should thrive — or fail — free of subsidies
We are facing deficits that can and will cripple our nation if they are not addressed. Perhaps Congress should look at cutting subsidies.
The government subsidizes products that cannot survive on their own (such as ethanol, biofuels and wind farms). When these products are ready for prime time, they will supplant other fuels via the free market. Without subsidies, these technologies are prohibitively expensive. Hiding their true costs in subsidies is dishonest in that we all pay in increased government spending, more taxation and higher deficits.
Isn’t it time to let the public market determine what works best? It is possible that government subsidies of certain products may have discouraged the private sector from pursuing what otherwise might have been viable alternatives, because of artificial competition created by subsidies. Fair competition brings down prices and weeds out products that are not viable. This is the beauty of the free market.
We need to analyze all subsidies, and eliminate those that are wasteful or simply dumb in this economic climate. We can no longer afford to subsidize Brazilian cotton farmers, or home loans to those who have little or no chance of repayment, etc.
John H. Watson, Marietta
IMMIGRATION
Can’t pick and choose which laws to enforce
Regarding “Hospitality, agriculture fear the pain” (Opinion, May 24): It is obvious that Jay Bookman is suffering from a common liberal ailment known as liberal-juris: a strong desire to have laws you favor enforced, and have laws you oppose ignored. I will go him one better.
If we are going to ignore the immigration laws of this land, then let’s ignore all the rest of our legal codes as well.
After about a week of anarchy, the people will demand the kind of law enforcement we need.
William M. Savage, Lithonia
MIDDLE EAST
Israelis, Palestinians won’t negotiate peace
The recent Israeli intransigence on returning to the 1967 borders shows one difficulty in a negotiated settlement between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Neither side will be flexible enough to reach a negotiated peace. Any settlement needs to be imposed by the U.S., the United Nations and our allies, according to existing plans drawn up and agreed to by peace-loving members of both groups.
Shouky Shaheen, Atlanta
TRANSPORTATION
Make bicyclists pay their way like motorists
Regarding “Drivers must allow space for cyclists” (Metro, May 17): I guess all police officers will carry a yardstick now as part of their equipment.
First of all, cyclists can be a hazard to motorists, especially on narrow, two-lane roads that don’t have paved shoulders. Also, motorists paid for these roads with gas taxes and tag fees. If the state of Georgia is going to cater to cyclists, then cyclists should have to at least purchase a license tag to cycle on public roads.
Jim Fonville, Marietta
