TRANSPORTATION
The Atlanta metro region may have only one chance to approve a program, and secure funding, to break the traffic gridlock. We desperately need to do this. The initial project list is too heavy on spending that will have dubious mobility efficacy — e.g., the Atlanta Beltline, maintenance that MARTA has neglected, MARTA heavy rail. The group leading this effort, the Regional Transportation Roundtable, still has until the 15th of October to modify the list. Instead of trying to change the date of the referendum to obtain a less-attentive electorate, they should change the list to produce a greater impact on regional mobility, which will then be more palatable to voters.
BOB IRVIN, Atlanta, a former State House Republican Leader
TUCKER TRIBUTE
Her columns, even when maddening, were a treat
As a conservative and an AJC subscriber, I have had many a disagreement with Cynthia Tucker’s editorial positions over the years. However, one can always say that she does not fear praising or rebuking individuals of any ideological stripe. I regard her departure akin to that of deceased columnists Lewis Grizzard and Celestine Sibley and the semi-retired columnist Furman Bisher. Her columns were like an old friend with whom you regularly had a morning cup of coffee, despite a heated discussion the previous day. However, Ms. Tucker’s most important legacy will be continuing the tradition of Ralph McGill in challenging the status quo in Atlanta and around the nation.
DAVID STEWART, Smyrna
Tucker’s integrity, principles shine through
What lovely and heartfelt tributes to Cynthia Tucker from Jay Bookman and Jim Wooten. Bookman’s gave us insight into her professional career, while Wooten’s was primarily a reflection on her personal philosophy. What I took from both pieces is that Ms. Tucker, no matter whether you agree or disagree with her, always demonstrates enormous integrity and a principled approach in every aspect of her life. UGA journalism students are very fortunate to have her.
LINDA JENKINS, Powder Springs
ECONOMY
Let’s make clear who's at fault in this meltdown
I have been dismayed and saddened by the mean-spiritedness and vindictiveness of many Americans during the current economic crisis. “My 401(k) is tanking so government and other pensions should do the same.” “I’m suffering, why shouldn’t everyone else?” It would be nice if everyone could have a career in government, receive Medicare, qualify for Social Security. That’s not possible. However, it is possible to uplift those who have need and not tear down those who don’t. It is possible to place the blame where it belongs, at the feet of Wall Street and the financial industry. Working people didn’t cause this near economic collapse. It’s the very industries where we had placed all of our hopes, dreams, faith, trust and money. Greed won out and the workers who bought into it lost. We will continue to lose until we collectively say to those industries, “No more.”
RONALD D. JOHNSON, Austell
REDISTRICTING
Computers can’t address every aspect of problem
With regard to “Let computers draw states’ voting districts” (Readers write Aug. 15):
Districts with equal populations are important, but an acceptable plan must meet three requirements: The plan must meet the one-person one-vote principle; the districts must be compact; and they must be contiguous.
A program to produce districts that meet the one-person one-vote rule and have regard for natural boundaries might achieve that, but you could still have unusually shaped districts and even noncontiguous districts.
Computers have been used to randomly select districts with strict adherence to the principle of one-person one-vote. But some equal populations had boundaries that were nothing less than bizarre because the programmer was unable to write definitions of compactness into the program. Further, the reader’s letter and this comment says nothing about that other most important requirement for Georgia: that the resulting districts shall not dilute minority voting strength.
GORDON G. HENDERSON, Avondale Estates, a redistricting plan expert
HEALTH
Heartbreaking that so many lack dental care
The recently held free dental clinic in Woodstock was heart-rendering. The dental profession donated their time and skills to help those that have lost jobs and/or have no dental insurance (“Dental ‘mission of mercy,’ ” Page One, Aug. 13 and “2,000-plus get ‘reason to smile,’ ” Metro, Aug. 14).
It is sad that thousands lined up to secure a place in line, some arriving the evening before. It isn’t just not having access to dental care, but that we have such an enormous need in the first place. It should not be the employer’s responsibility to provide medical and dental insurance.
Medical and dental costs are escalating so much that the average employed person cannot afford coverage on the open market that provides low deductibles and high limits. Say nothing of the millions that cannot find work, hence no medical or dental coverage.
Yet the move is on in Georgia to kill the national health care legislation. Gov. Nathan Deal should feel ashamed watching this dental clinic piece on national television.
MAX EPLING, Canton
