ECONOMY
Goal of vibrant region meets reality at hand
The AJC has shown great leadership in its series on the challenges facing our region (“Atlanta Forward”). Yes, we must improve our infrastructure and attract the businesses of the future, but we can’t assume that economic growth by itself will magically solve all of our problems.
Better transportation, schools and water resources will be for naught if a large part of our community is still trapped in poverty. It is essential to create jobs, but even that is not enough.
Through public and private initiatives, we must instill a sense of shared interdependence, support the most vulnerable of our residents, and address the social ills that undermine families and plague many of our neighborhoods. Otherwise, the goal of a truly prosperous and vibrant region will continue to elude us.
Joseph G. Martin Jr., Atlanta
COMMUNITY
Responders deserve thanks in car breakdown
I would like to thank several people who helped us recently on I-285 at the Marietta/Roswell exit.
The vehicle that I was a passenger in completely broke down on the interstate, sending me into a panic. I have post-traumatic stress disorder because of a past car accident.
I want to thank the 911 operator, the gentlemen who called to help locate us, the local police, the gentleman who works for Georgia’s Department of Transportation (who pushed us across five lanes of traffic and who tried to help us), and the off-duty detective who kept us safe until help could arrive.
I sincerely thank each and every one of these caring people.
Stacy Munn, Newport, Tenn.
DEFICIT
Government employees should take salary cut
While the debate continues to rage regarding the federal deficit, with politicians discussing cuts in benefits to bring some balance to the budget, there is an absolute silence regarding the massive contribution that could be made by all government employees by accepting a 10 percent, across-the-board cut in their salaries and benefits. The savings would be large.
Why are the servants of the people doing so much better than the people they so ineffectually serve? And why do we put up with it all?
Tax increases to balance the budget? No!
Simon Bennett-Odlum, Lilburn
NASA
Money spent on Jupiter mission spent at home
A reader complains about spending billions on a mission to Jupiter (“Earthlings can use funds going to Jupiter mission,” Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 10).
Does she think that money was loaded onto the rocket and sent into space? That money was spent here on Earth in a variety of jobs, including scientists, janitors and truck drivers. Food and housing were provided for many people (probably thousands). Soon, we will know something new about the universe around us.
Would she prefer that the money be handed out in soup kitchens?
Gene Worth, Decatur
