SMILE TIME
Gail Collins entertains as well as informs
I wish the AJC had room for Gail Collins on its Opinion page on a regular basis (“Political trackers chart candidates’ every move,” Opinion, Aug. 18). I just love that woman to death. I catch her online and every time I see her face, I break out in a smile. I know I’m going to be entertained as well as informed. In seeing that mischievous grin, you know she’s got something up her sleeve.
JACK H. DAVIS, DOUGLASVILLE
T-SPLOST
Lying seems to be viewed as standard
The reason for the T-SPLOST defeat is not that the public mistrusts government with money. We don’t trust anything we hear from anybody with something to gain from lying: from Atlanta teachers cheating on test scores, to Emory University lying, to Joe Paterno hiding sex abuse in his coaching staff. Today’s presidential race only adds to our cynicism. The principles and staffers lie about everything, and when caught, say “well, its only politics” — as if lying is okay from people we expect to lead. It seems our entire population is adrift in a sea of pollution. We have a generation of adults in business and government who come from family (and education systems) that no longer teach values and standards. As a result, abhorrent behaviors are viewed as standard. We also have concluded we don’t trust anybody around money because they will find a way to get a chunk of it for themselves, family and friends.
HARRY WATERBOR, CANTON
ELECTION 2012
Give us information on Romney governorship
The presidential campaign will be a big news issue through November. May I suggest an informative article on the facts, stats and experiences concerning Massachusetts when Mitt Romney was governor there? We rarely hear about his only elected job. What he did might be a good indicator as to what he might do as president. Was Massachusetts better or worse off during his term?
A. HORNICK, ROSWELL
ELECTION 2012
Despite spin, Ryan plan will end Medicare
The letter about Paul Ryan wanting to save Medicare proves you can fool some of the people all of the time (“Luckovich and Ryan,” Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 19). The Ryan plan will end Medicare as we know it — and political spin will not change this fact. Under Mitt Romney-Ryan, future seniors, given vouchers, would go on the private insurance market and buy health coverage. Since this system, by design, will not keep up with health care inflation, most seniors will be forced to buy substandard coverage or pay large amounts out of pocket for a plan that meets their needs. If people believe this plan will save and protect Medicare, then I have some ocean-view property in Nebraska to sell them.
MIKE HAREMSKI, TUCKER
