GOLD DOME
Suggestion for the Georgia General Assembly
Now that the 2014 Georgia legislative session is about to begin, we can be sure our Republican friends will continue to preach the values of “smaller government.”
Would they consider “fewer governments,” as in does Georgia need 159 counties?
California is the nation’s most populous state with approximately 38 million residents. Georgia is number 8, with approximately 10 million residents. Yet California is number 27 in number of counties — at 58.
In a ranking of states by population, Georgia and Michigan are similar. Michigan has 83 counties. In sheer number of counties, Georgia is number 2, exceeded only by Texas at 254.
Does Georgia need 159 counties? Does Georgia need 159 tax commissioners to issue license plates? Does Georgia need 159 sheriffs? Does Georgia need 159 building maintenance departments? Does Georgia need 159 county fire chiefs? Are 159 county tax assessors needed? The list could go on and on and on.
Will our Legislators work toward fewer governments ? One can only hope.
MIKE CANFIELD, ATLANTA
D.C. POLS
Obama and others leaders fall far short in doing right things
Most humans have an innate ability to know a scam artist when they hear them. Unfortunately, our educational system for the last 40 years has brainwashed our young people into believing our government can be relied on to protect them and always tell them the truth. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Barack Obama presidency has revealed to what length politicians will go to be elected and re-elected. Lying and manipulation of the truth is second nature to these people and there seems to be nothing they wouldn’t do to keep their power.
For those in the minority, pensions and other benefits they receive reduce them to a level of “do whatever you have to do to get elected” mentality. Unfortunately the news media is no help in showing the American people how crooked they are.
We need a president and a news media that believes in capitalism and our Constitution. This president and our national press has failed at both.
TOM GAMBESKI, JASPER
GLOBAL WARMING
Understanding may help those who believe it’s a hoax
How absurd the number of letters and political cartoons about the “hoax of global warming. They all say the same thing: “How can there be all this ice if there is Global Warming”?
That is a fair question if you insist on thinking that is what global warming means. As scientists have told us, global warming is one degree in a century. That one degree can have a great effect on weather patterns, but in no way means milder winters.
In fact, if these people bothered to listen to scientists at all, they would understand the theory predicts more severe winters. No one cares to listen to scientists. Those ignorant of science have take over. As George Orwell predicted, “ignorance is strength.”
MICHAEL HONOHAN, MARIETTA
RELIGION
Rude comment about
pope was uncalled for
As someone raised in the Catholic church, I am deeply offended by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s reference to Pope Francis as, “The guy is from Argentina. …” While Congressman Ryan may disagree with the pope on economics, surely as a “practicing” Catholic, the congressman should respect the pope publicly.
I realize that the congressman is now an acolyte of Ayn Rand, but he was also once an altar boy. Has he forgotten his manners?
DAN WHITE, ATLANTA
