TRANSIT
Be honest so average taxpayer knows truth
Regarding the upcoming transportation tax: Again, what is in the best interest of the metro area is not of concern to the members of the committee drafting the list of projects. It boils down to appeasing agendas that special-interest groups have and holding the other members hostage. Not once have the facts been addressed so that the average taxpayer knows the truth.
MARTA has not worked. “Build it, and they will come” has not been the case. How about the simple concept that for mass transit to work, you have to have a large number of people moving from Point A to Point B? This is not the situation in Atlanta.
Until these things are addressed, the public will be suspicious of those making transportation decisions. Honesty and transparency are the topics to be addressed if the tax has any chance of passing.
Lee Baker, Lilburn
COMMERCE
Shutting down vendors is not the solution
Regarding “A defense of city’s street vendors” (Opinion, Aug. 11), Christine Gallant was right: Leave the vendors alone. Downtown (and the area around Turner Field) often looks empty. Atlanta should encourage whatever commerce can gain a foothold there. Stripping merchants of their livelihood creates dependents of the social safety net. It will take life from streets that are already desolate.
If we think their stands are ugly, why not create a volunteer program to fix that problem? It would be easy to go through an organization (like Wonderroot), and find young, local artists willing to help beautify them. Why not encourage the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables? The city could waive the licensing fees of sellers who try to improve our eating habits. There are better solutions than shutting them down.
Larkin Taylor-Parker, Decatur
POLITICS
Who represents those who want to tax rich?
According to “Don’t blame tea party for nation’s fiscal crisis” (Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 11), “they simply represent the will of their constituents” when they vote for “fiscal restraint.” And as for the vast majority that supports raising taxes on the super-rich and plugging the loopholes that leave them more money to spend buying votes in Congress? Whose constituents are they?
Steve Warren, Atlanta
TAXES
All must sacrifice in honor of ‘those people’
Americans who have made greed into a virtue had better start worrying more about “those” seniors, “those” teachers, and “those” veterans. Our nation is in trouble, and she needs our help. Will those of us who have been handed so much for so long now begrudge our mother when she needs our help?
I am by no means a wealthy citizen, but I can sacrifice to make sure future Americans enjoy the freedom and opportunity handed to me from the “greatest generation” (a group that has now become “those people” to some Americans). Congress, raise my taxes.
Danny Ingram, Decatur
