Many call for austerity but balk at sacrifices
“A sign that voters want action on debt” (Opinion, June 11) discussed a hopeful trend: The realization by average Americans of the danger our national debt and out-of-control spending have for the country, and its corresponding effect on politicians. The problem will be when we go from the easy talk of balanced budgets to the tangible, painful realities that balancing the budget will impose on everyone. When I hear whining about the post office doing away with Saturday delivery, small reductions in expenditures for the military or any diminishment in social programs, I question if the average citizen is willing to endure reduced largess from the government. If we are serious about reducing spending, maybe voting for politicians who tout their lack of spending on programs that directly impact each of us would be a good start.
Eric Sandberg, Atlanta
Would Klan clean up road named for MLK?
Here would have been a way out of the dilemma arising from the KKK’s application to participate in the Adopt-A-Highway project (“KKK group seeks Adopt-A-Highway OK,” ajc.com, June 11). It honors First Amendment rights and gives the KKK a chance to implicitly recant its racist past. Allow the group to adopt this stretch of highway and rename it something like the Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway or the Rosa Parks Highway. Consider the image of the KKK cleaning up a road named for an African-American civil rights icon.
Ralph Roughton, Atlanta
Paideia School proves top honor not needed
I had been on the fence regarding valedictorian awards and recognition for high school graduates. Shane Blatt’s column (“Competition is best teacher,” Opinion, June 7), however, brought me around to Paul Bianchi’s point of view (“Grade fixation misses point,” Opinion, June 7).
Bianchi’s counterpoints are more logical and he has years of successful graduates of Paideia School to bolster those arguments. Students should be encouraged to strive for their utmost potential, regardless of a scholastic championship at the end of the year.
Tim Banks, Stone Mountain
We don’t need tax hike to have better traffic
I don’t see why the money accumulated through tolls on Ga. 400 — which is supposed to be paid off — cannot be used for relieving traffic jams. Why can’t the government take the excess money from Ga. 400 and use it instead of the proposed tax to help eliminate traffic jams? The answer to eliminating problems is not always raising taxes. Has anyone seen problems solved by raising taxes? I don’t think so. How dare politicians think to raise taxes with so many unemployed? They should try thinking about the people — and do a respectable job for a change.
Joanne Janchus, Johns Creek
