TRAFFIC
Sharing rides would help solve congestion
There are many suggestions for how to overcome the constant traffic problems existing on the roads into, out of and around Atlanta.
Other than early morning and late afternoon, traffic flows rather smoothly, considering the number of vehicles constantly using the roadways.
It is the rush-hour periods that are the bane of folks trying to get to work or return home. Continually enlarging the roadways leading into the city has not proved to be the answer.
Sharing rides (carpooling) is the only way to resolve the problem. If only a small portion of the finances and effort currently devoted to enlarging, correcting, maintaining, etc., our existing roadways were devoted to operating a centralized program for getting folks to ride together, it would significantly reduce the number of vehicles on the highways.
A centralized database of available participants could be used to get folks communicating to create carpools.
Businesses could also help by providing small vans that employees living in close proximity could share.
Across this nation, there are surely some cities that have faced similar traffic problems, which could provide helpful suggestions to tackle this problem.
BOB GRAYSON, CUMMING
THOMAS SOWELL
It’s not better to let the uninsured die
Thomas Sowell’s “Insurance is truly a risky business for politicians” (Opinion, Sept. 4) was unusually lucid. He said some sensible things about how politicians micromanage things, the value of high-deductible health insurance, and the power of free choice in a free market.
But amid these sensible conservative ideas, he built an argument about the “uninsured” that climaxed with this sentence:
“The uninsured who use hospital emergency rooms and don’t pay are a problem because politicians passed laws forcing hospitals to let themselves be taken advantage of.” As if it would be better if we just let the uninsured die.
This attitude is evil.
DEAN TURNER, ROME
ELECTION 2012
World too complex for community organizer
The Democrats’ pandering to the gays and lesbians of this country is an insult to the intelligence of us all. Other issues facing our government must take precedence in this election.
There is no doubt that President Barack Obama is a wonderful husband and father, but as president, he has failed the rest of the American people. We need experienced, proactive personnel for the job ahead — people who understand the economic issues as well as the social.
The world is too complex for a community organizer. Some hearts are still with you, Mr. President — but in this election, people must vote with their heads.
BARBARA KRASNOFF, ROSWELL
