Readers Write 3/31

GOVERNMENT

No justice in cutting local and state parks

I was very much taken aback by an educated person saying in “Judges rip audit that cuts their jobs” (Metro, March 28) “If you are going to cut something, cut parks.”

It is well-known, and well-documented that parks contribute significantly to the physical and mental health of city residents and thus, to the quality of life and viability of a city. It is to the credit of our former and current mayors that parks have begun to get the kind of support based on such understanding. It is not clear that the state has this understanding, since state parks have had cuts at a time when residents need them more than ever.

Alida C. Silverman, Atlanta

PENSION BENEFITS

Think twice before taxing pensions, savings

As Georgia legislators contemplate skewering retirees by making our pensions and savings (most of which have already been taxed at least once) subject to a new tax, they should take a deep breath, and reconsider this idea. The highways that brought us to Georgia can take us out of Georgia just as fast as they brought us here.

Charles Green, Cumming

SUNDAY SALES

If allowed, buying, selling alcohol a choice

Did I miss the memo that said that because alcohol may be sold on Sunday that it has to be sold on Sunday? I don’t think that is the issue — is it?

I’ve read where stores that sell liquor don’t want to open on Sunday because they would have to pay staff, stock more liquor, etc. If you are an owner or manager who does not want to sell beer and wine on the weekend, don’t!

There is no law on the books that says chicken sandwiches must be sold on Sunday. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sunday. Truett Cathy understands. It’s the rest of you who don’t get it.

I don’t drink. But, if this thing called “common sense” goes totally away, I might consider it — and I will need a place to buy a drink on Sunday.

Daryl Dempsey, Lilburn

POLITICS

U.S. middle class: An endangered species

The Great American Middle Class is dying. What that means to the average family is that the children not only won’t do better than their parents, they’ll fare far worse. Wealth and income have been re-redistributed, with the bulk now going to the top as it had before FDR and Frances Perkins’ actions to equalize.

Jobs have been systematically shipped overseas, where American manufacturers pay next to nothing for labor. Companies bring the foreign-made goods back to America and sell them at nearly the same price as before. Profits have skyrocketed. Corporations sell foreign-made stuff to the same people who used to make it here.

The wealthy in America have wanted their country back since FDR was in office. They pretty much have it all back now. Hope won’t alter that. Neither will reintroducing prayer in schools, making birth control unavailable, legislating against gays or hounding immigrants. The great American middle class is history.

Thanks to my generation (the baby boomers) for making this possible.