TRANSPORTATION
State tea party leaders’ lack of vision troubling
Many who were privileged to have had opportunities to participate in the growth and progress of metro Atlanta during the last half of the 20th century applaud the AJC’s Atlanta Forward series.
We have to hope it’s not too late to get this area back on a track of responsible progress characteristic of the past, and supported by an informed citizenry. It’s disappointing that Georgia representatives of the tea party movement seem to think it smart to advocate defeat of worthwhile proposals designed to achieve a brighter future for metro Atlanta. One has to wonder whether lack of vision enhances the road ahead. Richard E. Hodges, Marietta
POLITICS
Failure to communicate with S&P will injure us
The president and Congress dropped the ball by not communicating with Standard & Poor’s prior to the debt ceiling debate to understand the parameters involved with downgrading the United States of America’s credit rating.
By failing to tackle entitlement reform, Congress and the president allowed the wheels to come off. Now, the average American will suffer a more uncertain economy.
Brian DiNapoli, Decatur
POLITICS
Some lawmakers need schooling on debt issue
Regarding “Leaders to face public after vote” (Metro, Aug. 8), perhaps Rep. Paul Broun’s constituents can educate him about the debt ceiling.
It is certainly understandable that a congressman would be concerned about debt that we cannot afford, but using the debt ceiling vote was not a responsible way to deal with that concern. The time was the past decade or more, but that is water under the bridge.
The task at hand is to face the massive debt problem and begin to lay out solutions without making the current economic situation far worse than it is. We must lay the groundwork for changes that will make the debt manageable for our children and their children.
The so-called Gang of Six provides hope. U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ vote concerning the debt ceiling (and that of U.S. Rep. John Lewis) indicate what a poor choice was offered. It’s up to us as voting citizens to make sure that grown-ups are making the decisions in Congress. We have to start by making sure the redistricting process is more about the public interest than something else.
Alida C. Silverman, Atlanta
POLITICS
Don’t blame tea party for nation’s fiscal crisis
While some people want to blame the tea partyers for the current crisis, it is important to remember that the congressional tea party caucus members were elected with a mandate of fiscal restraint. They simply represent the will of their constituents.
Unable or unwilling to acknowledge the failure of the welfare state, and spouting against “corporate jets and big oil,” the left ignores prevailing national public opinion and continues down the road to financial ruin, shooting the messengers of bad news on the way.
“Denial” isn’t a river in Egypt — it’s a plank in the left’s platform.
Frank O. Bennett, Atlanta
