MEDIA
Newspaper format, content a step above
I have subscribed to home delivery of the AJC for more than 20 years.
The recent format (and its contents) is by far the best presentation of news.
The county breakdown is welcomed, informative and well-received. The increase in well-designed ads makes it obvious that others are pleased as well.
The “best deals” section is an added good deal.
Kudos for those responsible for the new look with more information.
A. Jean Richardson, Decatur
MIDDLE EAST
Billions in U.S. aid probably helped Israel
A recent letter writer credits education and hard work for Israel’s success, but ignores the fact that U.S. taxpayers have contributed billions in foreign aid to Israel’s growth (“Israel has done so much in so much less time,” Readers write, Opinion, May 23).
James J. David, Marietta
TAXES
Don’t leave out those who’ve paid into system
It is unfair to provide benefits such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid only for those currently receiving them and those over 55. What about those individuals who have already paid into the system for many years?
We should think outside the box.
Why not have a national sales tax of 1 to 5 percent on everything?
We currently pay a national tax on gasoline, and no one seems too upset about this. The sales tax would be in addition to the payroll taxes for these benefits.
We could call it the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid Reconciliation Sales Tax. The funds raised would have to be put aside for this purpose only. Everyone would pay in based on their purchasing habits.
Amounts paid could certainly save these benefits for everyone. C. A. Miller, Atlanta
HEALTH CARE
Not everyone can get or afford insurance
Newt Gingrich’s comments about people preferring to purchase other items rather than health insurance are condescending and elitist. He needs to come down from his PAC-paid ivory tower and live in the real world.
Most people over 50 have some kind of health problem that increases the cost of health insurance, assuming they are insurable in the first place (my husband is not, because he was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 57).
Our COBRA insurance increased to $1,300 a month last January. How can anyone afford that year after year?
Why are opponents to health care reform so against their fellow citizens having the same access to health insurance that they have?
I’d like to see Gingrich purchase health insurance on the open market in Georgia on an income of $50,000 or even $75,000 a year.
Then he can pontificate about how easy it is.
Margaret Thomson, Marietta
