HEALTH CARE
Federal funds for kids’ program misspent
I thought the federal government was cutting back on its spending. I read that West End Medical Centers received $1 million to sign up eligible children to Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids (“Federal grants to help agencies enroll kids,” Metro, Aug. 19).
This money will be used for marketing programs and to help families enroll in plans, or renew their coverage. One would think if you had a child who needed health care that you could not afford, you would do everything in your power to get it for your child without being “solicited” for these programs. If the feds have this much taxpayer money to “spend” for this, they should make sure it is going to the actual healthcare of children.
Dixie Kraft, Newnan
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Motorists should respect folks traveling on foot
Adding crosswalks around apartment complexes and bus stops is a good first step toward ensuring pedestrian safety (“Metro pedestrians race against danger,” News, Aug. 18). The next logical step is a public awareness campaign to make drivers aware of the laws regarding pedestrians.
I am appalled by the aggressive driving behaviors I see on a daily basis. We need law enforcement officials to make it clear to the driving public that endangering the lives of our neighbors traveling on foot will not be tolerated. Until the laws are enforced and drivers are aware of pedestrians’ presence, there may be many more Raquel Nelsons among us.
Gwyn Herbein, Atlanta
GOVERNMENT
Juvenile politicians need ballot box punishment
The electorate has observed our elected officials in Washington behaving like selfish two-year-olds over the past months. With this in mind, I will follow my late father-in-law’s advice: Never vote for the incumbent in any election (including the primary). You can still vote your party — but never the incumbent. Think about it.
Mary Jo Winer, Atlanta
FOREIGN AID
Rival North Korea deserves no help from us
A recent article in the AJC seemed endemic of our politicians’ thoughtlessness regarding taxpayer money. “U.S. renders aid to flood-ravaged foe” (News, Aug. 19) mentioned a measly $900,000 being committed to emergency aid in North Korea. Yes, you heard right: North Korea, the scourge of civilized nations, gets aid.
Most Americans who hear this will be dumbfounded that any of our hard-earned money would go to help relieve the pain and suffering of anyone in North Korea. If we were a country flush with cash, we might consider it out of sheer compassion, but we’re broke!
Eric Sandberg, Atlanta
IMMIGRATION
Reader proposes ‘pay to stay’ for immigrants
Why not consider a “pay to stay” program, in which an illegal immigrant who passes a criminal background check would pay a fee ($10,000, for example) in exchange for a new “status” that prevents deportation? The new status would not confer naturalization or citizenship. Alan Rolnick, Atlanta
