Readers Write

GOVERNMENT

Tax vote wasn't difficult

Those members of the Atlanta City Council who voted for the tax increase, despite their rhetoric, actually probably found it easy to cast the "yes" vote. The more difficult vote would have been for those council members to have exercised their fiduciary relationship to their constituencies, by voting to address some of the core problems and issues facing the city, such as excess personnel, wasteful spending and a dysfunctional budget and building permit process. A "yes" vote to address those issues, though politically difficult, would have been courageous. This might be a good time to invest in a moving company, as businesses and homeowners flee to more tax-friendly environs.

Maxwell Calloway, Atlanta

SECOND AMENDMENT

Tech ban creates victims

Former Vice President Walter Mondale once observed that "gun bans don't disarm criminals; gun bans attract them." The string of robberies within Georgia Tech's gun-free zone once again demonstrates the truth of Mondale's observation. Georgia's gun laws create defenseless crime victims. Despite being considered adults for most matters, those under 21 are prohibited from carrying handguns. Carrying a weapon at a school is a felony, even if your intention is self-defense. These prohibitions provide a government guarantee of safety for the criminals.

Michael Silver, Smyrna

HEALTH CARE

Leave Medicare alone

I'm a 70-year-old partner in a CPA firm. Years ago, I had an Atlanta Constitution paper route and worked as a soda jerk after school. Before that, I worked on my granddaddy's dairy farm, herding cows to the barn, shoveling manure. I managed to avoid becoming wealthy, so when candidate Obama said he wanted to redistribute the wealth, I didn't take it personally. Now, I hear he may want to reduce Medicare benefits so I can pay for his idea of health care "reform." Having paid Medicare for so many decades gives me the right to proclaim the president has "quit preaching and gone to meddling." He is herding legislation that potentially will hurt anyone who is ever eligible for Medicare. Health care reform? More accurately, the president is shoveling manure!

Bill Ivey, Tucker

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Carter has Iran expertise

Former President Carter has unusual expertise and personal focus, which he should bring to bear on the situation in Iran. His international position and credibility on voting issues would serve to help put the spotlight on some recently reported (albeit sparsely) issues. Perhaps Carter feels restrained because of his personal history with Iran. I urge him to overcome this embarrassment, as he has so often in other situations, and speak out for the Iranian people.

William Lyons, Smyrna