Speed’s the problem on interstates
As a person who drives I-75 every morning and evening, from Atlanta to Adairsville, I am here to tell you that the real problem I encounter daily is not caused by slow poke drivers. It is caused by all the accidents in the fast lane caused by idiots who travel way too fast and cannot stop when traffic bunches up. Further adding to the problem, there is construction nearly to Acworth, and very few people travel the speed limit posted for work zones. And yet I read now that the Georgia State Patrol is ticketing “slow-poke drivers?” (“Hundreds of drivers ticketed under new “Slow Poke Law,” News, May 18). It is time for the police to arrest speeders and to control the posted speed on our highways. I am so tired of sitting for hours on I-75 because of speeders causing rear-end accidents. The real and the most dangerous problem is speed, plain and simple.
WILLIAM E. LYNCH, ADAIRSVILLE
White thugs in Waco
Recent repeated reference to “thugs,” by both media and public officials, referencing riots in Ferguson and Baltimore appear to some to have become a racial epithet directed exclusively at African-Americans. I disagree. The 200 white bikers’ gang warfare in Waco this past weekend clearly shows that “thugs” know no racial boundary. (9 killed in biker gangs’ shootout,” News, May 18). Their killing, wounding, and mayhem far exceeded that of their African-American brothers.
JOEY PATTERSON, DECATUR
FairTax better for everyone
Sen. David Perdue is correct about the FairTax. (“Consider the FairTax now,” Atlanta Forward, May 5). It is a better system for everyone, including the poor. A reader claimed that the rich would be taxed at a lower rate than the poor, but under the FairTax, everyone pays the same rate. Also, all citizens and legal residents will receive a prebate that covers the taxes on items up to poverty level spending, so no one will pay any taxes until their spending exceeds that amount. The FairTax does not tax used items so, with no tax on basics or used items, the poor could decide to pay nothing in taxes. The reader was right about the ease of collection since the FairTax is included in the price of items, which means the taxes would be paid at the time of purchase, but he was wrong about the FairTax being unfair and regressive.
LISA CHAMBERS, SNELLVILLE
