ECONOMY
Need more paychecks, not heftier ones
Eli Markham’s piece (“Raising the minimum wage will help Main Street recover,” Opinion, Sept. 1) misses the point.
The problem isn’t that paychecks aren’t big enough — it’s that there aren’t enough paychecks.
Georgia’s unemployment rate is about 10 percent. As far as Main Street goes, hiring prospects are bleak.
Only 2 percent of small-business owners plan to create jobs (according to the latest National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Optimism Index), and 12 percent say they can’t afford to fill vacancies.
Two things are driving small-business employers to hold off on hiring: poor sales and a fear of the next costly and misguided rule, bill or executive order coming out of Washington.
If Congress and President Barack Obama are serious about creating jobs, they’ll stop threatening small businesses with tax increases and regulations.
Kyle M. Jackson, state director, National Federation of Independent Business
VOTING RIGHTS
School those who wish to deny others the vote
I can’t believe what I’m hearing regarding the American right to vote (“Right to cast ballot is a privilege, not a right,” Readers write, Opinion, Sept. 1).
Some would deny a fellow American that right because of his economic situation, or his perceived lack of political savvy. If you’re an American, and not a convicted felon, you have the right to vote. Those who would seek to deny that right need a civics lesson — and they need to learn what it means to be an American. John Aseff, Marietta
STREET NAMES
Whatever is decided, keep it short and sweet
History aside, has no one considered that nearly all the proposed Atlanta street name changes are going from short names to far longer ones?
Including the first and last names of the honorees is not needed. Names such as “Cone” are easy to read, see, say and remember. Using designations such as “boulevard” only adds to the length. I’m getting writer’s cramp just thinking about it.
Tom Zarrilli, Atlanta
DISTRACTED DRIVERS
Too many head-down motorists on I-85
I agree with Larry Peck (“Time for law banning phone use while driving,” Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 31). The distracted driving habits by offenders are easily recognizable. I would go further.
I drive almost daily on I-85 between Gwinnett County and Buckhead. I see drivers with their eyes and heads down. They are generally scrolling through emails or apps or other programs on their phones. They look up to stop and immediately look down at the device again. When traffic moves again, their cars start to move forward without them even looking up. I haven’t figured out if they are relying on some sort of supernatural peripheral vision or if they’re just counting on other drivers to look out for them. Unfortunately, too many other drivers are doing the same thing they are.
Let’s take it to the next step. Any reading while driving is reckless (but is tolerated). Why?
Betsy M. Kerr, Lilburn
