TRANSPORTATION
Benefits of high-speed rail are exaggerated
In a recent letter, “High-speed rail is the way to go” (Readers write, Opinion, Feb. 22), the writer expressed shock that Gov. Rick Scott canceled plans for high-speed rail between Orlando and Tampa. The writer then listed benefits that rail would provide. But the list failed to include the following:
A perpetual string of deficits requiring state funds to save the system from insolvency. The lack of a vehicle at the destination city (requiring a rental car or cabs). The likelihood that few will use the system. As a result, an incredibly expensive rail system will remove an inconsequential number of cars from the highways.
Invariably, the benefits of rail service are overstated because of its “feel good” qualities, while the hard evidence that most rail systems are failures is ignored. Maybe Rick Scott sees that. Charlie Roeber, Cumming
PUBLIC HEALTH
Abortion doesn’t define Planned Parenthood
Apparently, some are not aware of the cancer screening that Planned Parenthood offers. Planned Parenthood also provides birth control to those in need. Birth control prevents unwanted (for any reason) pregnancy, which in turn prevents abortion. Federal dollars already do not fund abortion. So why are Republicans grandstanding on the issue?
We all know someone who had to make the well-considered and heart-wrenching (or medically necessary) choice to end a pregnancy. President John F. Kennedy declared that his religious beliefs would not interfere with decisions made in the White House. That was a real leadership decision. Our legislators let their religious beliefs interfere with women’s health. That’s bad leadership. The right thing is to fund Planned Parenthood.
Patricia Evans, Mountain Park
POLITICS
People’s will ignored on Sunday alcohol sales
The last election was billed as a chance for us to elect representatives who would brush off the special interest groups and do the will of the people.
It now appears that the interests of the people are taking a back seat to conservative religious interests. Every poll I’ve seen shows that the people of Georgia want the right to vote on Sunday sales of alcohol. Some jurisdictions would approve it. Some would not. The people would decide.
If the members of the Georgia Legislature are going to abandon their promises to us in this short a time, perhaps we should start hunting for their replacements. Even politicians might get the message: Do the peoples’ work, or go home.
Jim Martin, Cartersville
HOPE
Reliance on the lottery breeds bigger problems
An issue rarely addressed in the HOPE scholarship coverage is that the people who seem to be buying most of the lottery tickets are not the middle- and upper-class. So, people who can least afford it finance college scholarships. HOPE also creates systemic pressure for grade inflation, so is it any wonder that we have regular reporting on education cheating scandals? The problem is larger than just the current funding dilemma. Bob Persons, Atlanta
