Statement opens door to even more doubt
Regarding “White hopes to retreat from spotlight” (News, Dec. 4), Ginger White says she’s ready to retreat to a life out of the spotlight.
That reads to me like, “My job here is done.”
Chris Pope, Locust Grove
More reasons than one for his implosion
Herman Cain has blamed his departure from presidential aspirations on what he calls the rough political game and allegations from the various female accusers.
Let me suggest some real reasons for his demise. He very well may have lied about what he did or did not do with these women (though it is extremely unlikely, in my opinion, that all of them lied). Americans do not like liars.
Also, Cain’s overly simplistic tax plan was full of major policy and fairness issues, and many tax experts saw through it.
He was apparently unable to answer straightforward foreign policy questions in complete sentences (except in prepared speeches).
Cain may have had a successful business career, but he is not presidential material.
Good riddance.
Larry J. Pett, Atlanta
Don’t just delay tax vote; ditch the plan entirely
Kyle Wingfield’s column suggests that the transportation SPLOST vote be delayed until a more favorable public scenario exists (“Let’s delay the transit tax vote,” Opinion, Dec. 4).
In any case, I will not vote for a sales tax to support transportation projects. In my judgment, sales taxes are regressive and only make sense if ensuring that everyone contributes to the operation of government. Rates should be kept very low.
A second reason is that Atlanta-area transportation problems are enormous. As the state’s economic, business and international hub, these transportation issues need to be treated as a state problem. Atlanta’s progress benefits the entire state.
The General Assembly needs to take a more determined and practical leadership position in addressing this problem. Gov. Deal should be in the forefront — but, unfortunately, he seems to be a noncombative follower.
I hope the T-SPLOST just goes away.
Jerry Hulshult, Canton
Don’t slow a plan that’s 20 years too late already
Kyle Wingfield’s “Let’s delay the transit tax vote” (Opinion, Dec. 4) proves the dictum: “A conservative is someone who believes in reform. But not now.”
Maybe Wingfield really believes this — or maybe he is just following Mitch McConnell’s lead and seeking to obstruct or delay practically everything before the next election cycle.
There’s only one problem: This vote is 20 years too late to begin with.
Let the people (not the pundits and the politicians) decide.
Dan Curl, Atlanta
Treatment of activists betrays spirit of charity
Have we Americans forgotten the true meaning of Christmas?
Across America, democracy was being demonstrated in city parks as Occupy Wall Street voiced its opposition to the corruption of our nation’s government authorities by corporate lobbyists. Theirs was an outcry against federal bailouts provided for billionaires, who have proceeded to foreclose on the homes of millions of taxpayers.
Answer me this: If this is the time of year when we celebrate the spirit of love and charity, how can so many people be against (or indifferent to) a movement that seeks to be a voice for those in need? Some say that it is because the occupiers broke the law by camping in parks — but doesn’t the First Amendment trump any local laws? Isn’t the right to peacefully assemble infinitely more important than local curfew laws?
Will Lance, Atlanta
Many remain ignorant about service dogs
I read your article “Dogs join hunt for bargains” (Living, Dec. 6) and saw the pictures of the pampered pooches with little outfits, and one in a baby buggy.
I am severely disabled and have had a service dog for eight years who can warn me that I am about to have a grand mal seizure. He has saved my life on multiple occasions.
I still have a problem taking him into businesses, as many workers still don’t understand what a service animal is for. There are specific rules for bringing service dogs into businesses. Now, we have women using their dogs as fashion accessories, further confusing the public and businesses.
My service dog is not a pet. My service dog is not a fashion accessory. My dog’s red vest doesn’t have a University of Georgia logo — it reads, “service dog.”
Helen Eschenbacher, Carrollton
Government will always want more of our money
Some people in this country want to take more taxes from people making more than $1 million a year — even though taking all of the personal wealth from them would not lower our national debt one week’s worth.
Both parties are taking this country on a path to bankruptcy by spending too much — and contrary to what many believe, it’s not because of a shortage of tax money, because whatever monies we allow them to take from us, it will never be enough.
Tom Gambeski, Jasper
BANK CLOSURES
Response to “Banking regulations must be enforced.” Readers write, Opinion, Dec. 4
We need to clear up a couple of incorrect statements made by a letter writer about bank closures. Taxpayers have not paid a single penny to deal with bank closures in Georgia. The FDIC insurance fund used to handle bank closures is paid for by banks to protect the funds of their depositors.
The shareholders in the institutions that were closed did suffer financial losses. Shareholders are often customers, other members of the community (and, yes, bankers). To say they haven’t lost a dime is simply not correct.
Joe Brannen, president and chief executive officer, Georgia Bankers Association
