TRANSIT RAIL
Atlanta needs viable transportation options
I was a bit taken aback by Glen Bottoms’ recent commentary, “The real issue is reform of governance” (Opinion, Aug. 28).
His organization claims to be conservative, but its enthusiastic support for transit rail has to make you wonder. Surely Bottoms (formerly of the Federal Transit Administration) knows rail is the most expensive form of transit per rider — and that ridership is declining.
Bottoms claims Atlanta turned down a historic opportunity to relieve traffic congestion.
However, the T-SPLOST project list provided very little in the way of actual traffic congestion relief.
To think the Beltline’s street cars and the light rail from the Art Center to Cumberland had anything to do with traffic is wishful thinking.
It’s odd that a conservative would take the “central planning” transit approach with transportation and not mention a role for private enterprise.
Metro Atlanta needs viable transportation solutions — and not regional largess benefiting special interests.
STEVE BROWN, FAYETTE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, POST 4
HEALTH CARE
In state government, money really rules
Gov. Nathan Deal’s decision to deny medical support to the poor in Georgia is a clear indication of how crucial this upcoming election really is. As a result of apathy and brainwashing, Georgia now operates under a Republican dictatorship where money rules and the core principles of American democracy have been cast aside.
Do we want to live in an America where the poor, the sick and the elderly are disdained and subjugated?
Do we want an America where women and minorities are bullied and forced to live in someone else’s ideological world?
Or, would we prefer the America of old — where we have compassion and caring for one another and we all share in the cost?
Given the rhetoric of the last few months, it’s obvious to me that the Republicans are once more casting their fairy dust into the air, hoping they can confuse enough people to further their goal of domination of all levels of government.
Georgia is a forerunner in that consolidation. Buyers, beware.
TOM MCMANUS, ROSWELL
ENERGY
Oil exploration won’t harm environment
The letter to the editor accusing Mitt Romney of ignoring the “real costs” of energy exploration typifies the myopic perspective of those who think as the writer does (“Romney energy plan ignores real costs,” Opinion, Aug. 28).
The “real cost” of this country’s dependence on foreign petroleum is seen not just at the pump, but in the ever-rising cost of everything we buy — from groceries to shoes to airline tickets. Every price increase is explained by citing “rising fuel costs.”
Solar panels and windmills (I care not how many) will not add a drop of fuel to a cargo ship, a transfer truck, an airliner or a family car.
Modern oil exploration is safe and, when conducted with the safeguards American engineers have designed, will have negligible impact on the environment.
ADRIAN D. MCCRAVY, DOUGLASVILLE
