TAXPAYERS’ MONEY
Politicians shameless in seeking it, misusing it
Regional planners and economists have presented numerous reasons why the Atlanta region needs to upgrade our transportation system.
I wonder if any of those who support this proposal read the AJC? Your Feb. 5 front page had a story regarding the need for this transportation improvement, which will require additional taxation (“Traffic relief at risk as money dwindles,” News).
On the same page was a story explaining how Gov. Sonny Perdue was able to move public funds from their original purpose to his own pet projects (“Diverted funds aid Perdue projects,” News, Feb. 5).
Day after day, we see how our elected officials fail to use the tax resources to benefit the people of Georgia.
How can they ask us for more money?
Charles W. Gibson, Hiram
TRANSPORTATION
Toll lanes are no answer, but it’s clear what is
Regarding “Traffic relief at risk as money dwindles” (News, Feb. 5), it is glaringly obvious that optional toll lanes cannot be considered a useful part of a regional transportation plan. Those who continue to pursue them are either misguided — or do not have the best interests of the public at heart.
Evidence from the new I-85 toll lane makes it clear that optional toll lanes offer none of the “systemic congestion relief” that Rep. Brett Harrell mentions in this piece.
While privileged lanes move faster, the majority of traffic is in fact hindered. This is not systemic relief. This is institutionalized inequality not befitting a democracy.
So how can we greatly improve commute times for those willing to pay a per-trip fee and actually reduce the congestion for those still on the road?
The solution is simple: a regional mass transit system that is robust, well-integrated and clearly mapped.
That is the direction in which the state ought to move.
Rick Bizot, Atlanta
MIKE LUCKOVICH
Even more precious than pricey mustard
We need to bronze Mike Luckovich’s “Grey Poupon” cartoon (Opinion, Feb. 5) — along with the baby’s shoes. That is absolutely one of his best.
Sara Hines Martin, Acworth
KAREN HANDEL
Political agendas should have no place in Komen
Karen Handel’s resignation from Susan G. Komen for the Cure proves to me that she tried to politicize her personal agenda when the group decided to defund Planned Parenthood.
Public outcry helped reverse this decision.
Planned Parenthood helps thousands of women get various screenings (including screenings for breast cancer) every year. Many of these women don’t have medical insurance or the money to pay for these screenings.
It is a crying shame that Handel tried to make a statement on her abortion views via the defunding of Planned Parenthood.
I hope her replacement realizes that public opinion can sink your career when you make decisions that hurt the very people your organization is trying to help.
William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
AMERICA
Our rights and freedoms are a balancing act
I read Kathleen Parker’s recent column with much interest (“Contraception rule an assault on liberty,” Opinion, Feb. 8). I agree it is time that Americans redefine who we are and what kind of society we wish to be.
I came to this conclusion as someone who believes that extreme positions (right and left) can be dangerous. When one group cries out for religious rights or individual rights, there is a good chance that another group is being oppressed.
I consider my religious freedom to be at risk by actions taken on such issues of conscience as the definition of marriage, abortion and on hearing political rhetoric laced with personal religious views.
I believe individual economic rights are at risk when billions are spent for foreign war, while social program budgets are slashed.
Each of us (at one time or another) will be on the underside of questions about rights. We are a nation of many religious traditions, ethnicities and cultures. Our Founders upheld the human right to live free. We all benefit from their vision.
The challenge is to define what it means to live as a democracy, given our plurality.
Barbara Adle, Decatur
LOBBYISTS
Pray that our legislators come to their senses
Jay Bookman reports that unlike most other states, our Georgia Legislature refuses to put any limits on gifts from lobbyists (“It’s time to be serious about lobbyists’ gifts,” Opinion, Feb. 8).
Assuming these Bible Belt legislators are mostly Christian, they apparently have forgotten that the Lord’s Prayer asks, “Lead us not into temptation.”
The prayer correctly assumes that we are all susceptible to temptation — but apparently, our Legislature does not agree.
Lobbyists, on the other hand, fully believe the promise of “Ask and you shall receive” —while noting that it works better to ask while bearing gifts.
Margaret Curtis, Atlanta
U.S. PRESIDENCY
What an example many politicians set for our children, and how their characters are revealed to a discerning public. How disappointing was the discourteous behavior of any person who stooped to shouting “liar” at the president of the United States? Recently, one of Georgia’s own lost my vote when he displayed the same mentality (as he walked out on President Barack Obama as he spoke at a prayer breakfast). This Georgia politician’s excuse for doing so would be laughable if it were on “Saturday Night Live.” Did these men not learn the simple rules of etiquette toward the highest office in our land, and toward the person who holds that office? The person holding that office represents the American citizenry — all of us. Shame on those who display such behavior toward the leader of the free world, regardless of that leader’s political party. Maintaining the decorum of respect (even when you disagree) is a lesson taught in grade school, and is certainly in order for the leader of this great country. The American people should certainly expect it of our leaders.
Lucille Rich, Ball Ground
