POLITICS
Let computers draw states’ voting districts
Once again, it is time to wreak havoc with America’s democratic ideals. State legislatures in Georgia (and elsewhere) are redrawing maps defining legislative and congressional districts. The clear objective of this activity is to maximize the political clout of the party holding the majority in the Legislature. As a result, district boundaries take bizarre shapes, which disregard natural, geographic boundaries and any other logical, nonpolitical objective. The voting power of everyone not supporting the majority party is ruthlessly attacked.
There is a simple solution (which was not available in earlier times). Voting districts can and should be drawn up impartially by computer programs, which randomly produce districts with fairly equal populations, and boundaries defined by rivers, roads and other natural, nonpolitical lines.
Every American could someday be a minority. Every American should support the elimination of today’s obscenely un-American redistricting practices. Bill Fokes, Braselton
DEFICIT
Not afraid to make a personal sacrifice
Kudos for running the Joe Nocera column (“While the world markets sway,” Opinion, Aug. 10). I agree that we need to come forward and state what we are willing to sacrifice to gain control of the deficit.
I am retired, covered by Social Security and Medicare, and am certainly not wealthy. But I am willing to make the following sacrifices: a 10 percent reduction in my Social Security payment; a 10 percent reduction in Medicare benefits; ending tax deductibility of my mortgage interest payments; and a dollar-a-gallon increase in the federal gasoline tax (not only for revenue, but for energy conservation). These measures would negatively impact my standard of living by several thousand dollars a year, but I am willing to accept that for fiscal stability.
How many Americans are with me?
Donald Pattillo, Marietta
TRANSPORTATION
Bet voters wouldn’t shoot down this idea
The metro transportation tax wish list needs an attractive, vote-getting feature that will appeal to everyone. I suggest “Bullet Train to the Beach” from Atlanta to the Georgia coast. Imagine leaving Atlanta after breakfast, spending the day at the beach and being back in time for supper.
Allen B. Goodwin, Roswell
POLITICS
President refuses to take responsibility
I have listened to President Barack Obama talk about who is responsible for the dilemma the nation is in. Not once does he shoulder the blame. He has blamed Congress, the tea party and everyone else in sight, but not himself. He is the first president (in my memory) who has never assumed responsibility for decisions he has made. This is totally irresponsible.
Fred Hahn, Roswell
