CANCER
No one looks forward to paying taxes. So, those who voluntarily added $1 or more on their state income tax return to support the Georgia Cancer Research Fund are to be especially commended. Since 2003, generous taxpayers have donated more than $2 million for research into the cause of, and treatment and cure for cancer.
On behalf of the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC), I want to thank these anonymous donors and assure them that their money is being spent wisely. Each dollar is matched by philanthropic and community resources, resulting in a $5.8 million investment. Cancer Research Awards provide seed money for pilot studies, which have a history of attracting larger national grant awards.
The GCC works to reduce cancer-related deaths and make Georgia a premier state for cancer care. But we couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you.
Kathelen V. Amos, chairman of the board, Georgia Cancer Coalition
EDUCATION
Losing HOPE indicates a failure before college
I found it troubling to read the story about so many students losing HOPE scholarships over the course of their college years (“Few hold on to HOPE in college,” Metro, May 8). While the article is questioning higher education institutions, I wonder if the problem didn’t start long before these kids graduated from high school.
It is the responsibility of colleges and universities to provide a curriculum that builds upon what students have already learned. Rather than simply questioning higher education leaders about what has gone wrong, we should be looking to kindergarten through grade 12 to see why students have such a difficult time progressing through the natural next step, especially those who are considered to be our “best and brightest.” High-quality education is the result of a reliable pipeline that begins at birth, and ends after college. I think that Georgia’s pipeline has a leak — but I don’t think questioning the quality of higher education will get us any closer to plugging it.
Kellie Anne Brownlow, Decatur
POLITICS
Don’t denigrate those who support Obama
Regarding “Prediction is right, but for the wrong reasons” (Readers write, Opinion, May 8), I voted for Barack Obama in 2008. I did not vote for him because he is black. I also did not vote for Obama so that it will be easier for me to get government handouts. I have been blessed to have been gainfully employed my whole adult life. I am 56. I have never taken a government handout and, Lord willing, I will not have to until I retire and start collecting Social Security.
I am not “ignorant of the current state of affairs in this country and powerless to see through Obama’s rhetoric.” Because of this, during the recent health care legislation debate, I thought back to when President Harry Truman sent legislation to the Congress calling for compulsory health care.
Certainly, there will be those who will vote for President Obama’s re-election because he is black. Who can fault any African-American (given the history of this country) for supporting Obama? Sadly, there will also be a portion of the electorate that will not vote for President Obama because he is black.
Lawrence J. Burns, Newnan
Had to laugh at letter critical of Obama voters
The letter by Len Cayce in the May 8 AJC (“Prediction is right, but for the wrong reasons,” Readers write, Opinion) strikes me as being both sad and humorous: sad because of the primary reason he predicts President Barack Obama will be re-elected, and humorous because he includes a reference to President John F. Kennedy, a champion of the civil rights movement.
Robert White, Roswell
BIN LADEN
War between good, evil will never truly be won
With all due respect to state Sen. John Albers, good does not always triumph over evil (“Bin Laden,” Readers write, Opinion, May 8). If it did, there never would have been a Sept. 11, and the twin towers would still be standing. Evil won on that day. Good won on May 1, 2011.
The battle between good and evil began with the first humans, and will end with the last humans. There will be no clear winner.
Sam Whitehead, Marietta
GOVERNMENT
Errors in tax notices vexing but no surprise
Regarding “Flawed Fulton assessment notices show taxes skyrocketing” (ajc.com, May 9): Seriously? Someone in Atlanta’s city government screws up. Is this a big surprise? No.
Did anyone check that this “program” was working correctly before they stuffed the letters?
I have been in Atlanta for a long time, and have seen so many screw-ups, from the mayor’s office, to the City Council, to public leaders. This city is really becoming a joke.
Taxes are a serious matter (especially with so many struggling to keep their lives afloat), but apparently not to those running the show. Someone needs to be fired.
James Chumbley, Atlanta
PRESIDENT
Less talk, more action needed in White House
Mr. President, I thought you were running for office to solve our problems, not to gain wealth. You have repeatedly promised us jobs, and to work on our economic condition. But you have spent two years working on health care, and the rest of your time campaigning for your job (and immigration). When will you work on jobs and the economy?
Maybe it is time for us to send you back to Chicago. We need a leader and a doer (not a talker).
Tam Nguyen, Duluth
