Low blows do nothing to help the electorate
Bravo to David Brooks on his column (“Both parties guilty of gangland tactics,” Opinion, May 7). There should be a gentlemen’s agreement between rival parties’ candidates that gutter politics do not benefit anyone. How can we have an informed electorate if, instead of offering and debating solutions to issues, our candidates merely go for slandering their opponent? We can and should do better. Leave the low blows to the thugs and the pro wrestlers.
GARY HUNNICUTT, LILBURN
AJC columnist’s plan beats proposed tax
Last week Mark Arum revealed his plan to relieve traffic congestion (“5-5-5 Plan would be good for each of us,” Metro, May 7). What a low-cost, common-sense approach to easing traffic flows. Now ask yourself why we never see our state and local officials taking the lead on this idea for traffic relief but instead offering a transportation tax? Our failure to realize that our system is working for special-interest projects and not what’s best for the people has led us to where we are. Unless Georgians start demanding common-sense, low-cost solutions to quality-of-life issues, you might as well just hand the government your entire paycheck because special interests will not stop their efforts to get it!
LYNN EVERITT, HOSCHTON
Trash, debris spoil an otherwise great road
For many years, my wife and I have driven to Canada, up I-75 through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan, and about 400 miles into Ontario. We have noted, with some degree of pride, that Georgia’s stretch of I-75 is in better shape than in the other states. The further north we drive, the worse the road becomes, until Ontario, where it is almost as good as in Georgia.
In recent years, however, while the condition of our roadway remains at the top, the clutter along the median and shoulders is the worst. It’s nice in driving Georgia’s interstate not to worry about a rough road, but it’s not nice to see so much trash and debris. It can’t be a very welcoming sight to visitors to our state.
DICK DENNY, ATLANTA
Can’t tackle the fat till we tackle the food
We do not have an obesity epidemic (“No end to obesity epidemic, 20-year forecast shows,” ajc.com, May 7). The epidemic is the food. We can draw a direct line from our horrific food environment to disease. Because it takes years to experience the negative effects of eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), we concentrate on obesity.
Obesity is visual, interesting and fascinating — think “The Biggest Loser.” Addressing food is boring and controversial. When well-intentioned people recommend reducing the consumption of soda, sugar, fast-food, junk food and processed food, they are called the food police. And we are reminded that it’s about personal responsibility.
If we change our lifestyle — stop smoking, eat better and exercise — a large percentage of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and the cancers would disappear. One other thing would go away too: our health care dilemma.
KEN LEEBOW, MARIETTA
