Micromanaging hurts more than it helps
Regarding “Early voting window smaller” (News, Feb. 25), Georgia Legislators continue to astonish me. Now I’m to be protected if I make a bad choice in early voting and my candidate withdraws after I have cast a vote. Isn’t that my responsibility for not making a better choice or for not waiting until I know my candidate is going to stay in the race? I cannot comprehend the rationale used by Rep. Mark Hamilton, author of House Bill 92. To all legislators: Stay out of my life. Allow me to make my own decisions. I will live with the consequences.
Carroll Myers, Sandy Springs
Keep perks out of public decision making
It is difficult to understand the hoopla over ethics reform. The obvious position “ethically” should be abstinence from perks. This should include anything given or paid to any related entities outside of normal company or business contracts. Even those should be investigated to make sure money isn’t being laundered through improper pricing. If any state representatives feel they can’t make it under such scrutiny, they should find other work. It’s time we had the people’s interests placed ahead of the interests of a few.
Larry Shuman, Douglasville
Columnist’s name calling unwelcome
Regarding “GOP appears to stand for Ghastly Outdated Party” (Opinion, Feb. 26), Maureen Dowd continues to express herself with belabored wails of liberal license. She called possible Republican candidates “a war wimp” and “uncharitable nasties” experienced in “shoplifting presidential victories.” She mentioned a belly-flop, lunacy and “crazed Reagan fixation.” Dowd may give Democrats happy heart flutters — but she exemplifies the lowest level on the tottering “totem pole” of journalistic standards.
Catherine Boone Shealy, Atlanta
Convenient scapegoat but not real culprits
The depiction of the union worker in Glenn Foden’s cartoon (Opinion, Feb. 27) plays into urban myth. While unions have been a convenient foil for right-wing cartoonists, politicians and talking heads, workers have little control over the products they assemble. Management, product designers and engineers determined what the product would be and how it would be made. Union workers were at the end of the chain, carrying out the orders. It is sad to see how the powers-that-be have perverted the image of the union worker. They have been successful at shifting blame for poor designs, low-quality materials and unsuccessful marketing and business decisions from those responsible to the low man on the totem pole. When looking to place blame for the problems in the automotive industry, don’t look at the assembly line worker — it’s those in charge who are responsible.
Gary Hunnicutt, Lilburn
