SOCIAL SECURITY
Despite classification, it’s our hard-earned money
I agree wholeheartedly with “Social Security/It’s not an entitlement if we paid into it” (Readers write, Opinion, Aug. 19).
For decades, millions of hard-working Americans have been forced to pay a percentage of their income to the government, to be returned in the form of Social Security and Medicare payments once we reached retirement age.
We were promised by our government that this forced investment would help the millions of baby boomers and future generations live comfortably once we retired.
Now, led by tea parties across the country, politicians want to classify Social Security and Medicare as “entitlements.” I suppose they can classify it any way they please — but the bottom line is, it is our money.
Byron D. Williams Sr., Jonesboro
EDUCATION
Opting out is no answer to help DeKalb’s schools
DeKalb County’s transfer policy has created a situation contrary to the intent of federal law (“No Child Left Behind forces transfer decisions on school systems, parents,” ajc.com, Aug. 20).
Child safety is paramount to all other issues. The policy fails to take into consideration even basic safety measures, such as occupancy levels.
Children are literally sitting on the floors in classrooms where teachers are not able to adequately perform their jobs. Not one student will benefit — transfer or permanent student.
Resources would be better used to improve failing schools, and encourage parents to be actively involved at those schools.
As a parent, you quickly learn that government does not improve schools — only parents and teachers working together achieve this objective.
Opting out by abandoning your school is surely not the answer. Mark Knowles, Decatur
Politics
Democrats, Republicans must beware the teed off
It’s been interesting to see both political parties attacking the tea party. I went to a tea party meeting regarding changes in health care. Those in attendance were seeking information on health care changes. That our elected officials didn’t even read the bill concerned us all.
I also attended a local Republican meeting and witnessed the old guard sneer at any new faces — and whisper that “They must be those tea party people.”
I began to realize how losing any control of their power is a direct threat and will not be tolerated from either the Democrats or Republicans.
Finally, there’s a goal that both political parties can agree on: destruction of the tea party people.
What both parties haven’t contemplated is the big sister of the tea party: the teed off party.
We are much bigger and stronger than our little sister. We won’t be wearing golf tees on our hats — but we are out here, wanting to clean up a government that has stopped serving citizens and is only interested in serving its politically connected friends.
Lynn Everitt, Hoschton
