GOVERNMENT
Perdue made time for visitors and legislators
In “Deal’s early grades: high marks” (News, Feb. 10), the AJC reported that newly elected Gov. Nathan Deal holds regular meetings with lawmakers and takes time to visit and pose for pictures with people visiting the Capitol, just as his predecessors, Govs. Zell Miller and Roy Barnes did, and unlike Gov. Sonny Perdue. The story is not clear whether it is referring to the legislative meetings or photo time, but in either case it is wrong.
At some point during his two terms, I and 20 other staffers had a role in planning and executing the legislative meetings and photo sessions for Gov. Perdue. During the legislative session each year, we held an hour each Tuesday and Thursday for meetings with lawmakers and a full hour daily for photo sessions. We helped as Boy Scouts, beauty queens, folks in green jackets from Dublin, the Shriners, customer service honorees, and every other individual, group and organization came through for a picture.
Gov. Perdue loved visiting with his fellow Georgians, lawmakers and guests from around Georgia and the world, and considered it one of the most important hours of each day.
Bert Brantley, former communications director, Gov. Sonny Perdue
IMMIGRATION
Flurry of get-tough bills a slippery slope
Regarding “Anti-immigration bills miss mark” (Opinion, Feb. 14): I never thought that I would be writing a letter congratulating Bob Barr. However, in the midst of the near-hysteria regarding immigration legislation, he is a voice of reason. In my opinion, the flurry of “get tough bills” is a slippery slope leading to the lessening of our civil liberties. If the state has the power given to it by the immigration bills now being considered in the Legislature, you and I may become lawmakers’ next target.
The first immigrants came to this continent following the herds of game animals across the Bering Strait. They were looking after their families. Until we come to grips with this primal need to better oneself and look after one’s family, all the legislation in the world won’t help us get a handle on the challenge of immigration.
Jim Watkins, Decatur
IMMIGRATION
Politicians know we can’t have it both ways
So, Gov. Nathan Deal wants to crack down on illegal immigration, but does not want to put an undue burden on employers. It can’t be done.
The only way to stop the illegal immigration “problem” is to go after all employers of undocumented workers. This must include small businesses who hire just a few “because no one else will do the job,” homeowners who hire maids and yard workers under the table, and the large employer who is the easy target. With no job, there would be no incentive to cross the border.
A more practical way to address the issue is to stop all the anti-immigrant rhetoric, have all sides sit down and constructively work out a national plan that allows some to come over, some to stay and all to pay taxes. But that won’t happen. It is a lot easier for politicians to introduce bills they know will not pass, and say they tried to stop the illegals (just to get re-elected).
Christopher W. Seely, Roswell
