The person holding the office must earn respect
Recently a writer decried the behavior toward President Barack Obama by some — one a U.S. representative from Georgia (“U.S. presidency,” Readers write, Opinion, Feb. 12).
I must remind the writer that respect for the office of the president is commanded. However, the man must earn respect — and once earned, it can be easily lost. Obviously, he has a great deal of work to do in that area. F.M. Ashmore, McDonough
Response to “Even critics of safety net rely on it” Nation, Feb. 12
I couldn’t believe what I was reading. So Ki Gulbranson (and others like him) want me “to know that he does not need any help from the federal government.” Yet he gladly accepted an earned income-tax credit of several thousand dollars for several years and “has signed up his three school-age children to eat free breakfast and lunch at federal expense.” Medicare paid for two hip surgeries for his mother. It doesn’t sound to me like he doesn’t want the help, and although Gulbranson says “that too many Americans lean on taxpayers rather than living within their means,” and he supports politicians who promise to cut government spending, nobody forced him to accept help. He voluntarily took it.
Be careful, Mr. Gulbranson. If those politicians you support cut government spending, you’re up the creek without a paddle. Ken Pajewski, Lilburn
Issue should be left up to voters, not politicians
Regarding “Businesses peer into future, and it’s gay-friendly” (Opinion, Feb. 12), my opinion about gay marriages is private.
Frank Bruni, however, asserts in his essay that fair-minded people will share his opinion that gay marriage is legal and those who have a different opinion are just a bunch of old fogies. To each his own, of course (as old fogies say). This particular old fogy is married to someone of the opposite sex and has never set foot in a Starbucks (a company that endorses same-sex marriage legislation).
Anyway, if the matter is to be decided, it should be decided by referendum and not by politicians who are influenced by liberal jabberwocky. Jack Franklin, Conyers
Understanding rights, freedoms and benefits
A letter-writer argues that we must balance our rights and our freedoms (Opinion, Feb. 12). That has been done in the U.S. Constitution. The writer mentioned marriage, abortion, spending on foreign wars and religious freedoms. The only “right” in that group is religious freedom. Spending on foreign wars is up to Congress.
We hear the media (and some politicians) talk about such things as health care, housing, college education and even cellphones as rights. The so-called entitlements we know as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are not rights in the constitutional sense, but are benefits passed by Congress. There is a distinct difference in a right, as conferred by the Constitution that created and limits our federal government, and a benefit conferred by that government.
If enough people feel strongly about something that is outside the powers granted to the federal government by our Constitution, there is a solution. Part of the genius of our Constitution is the amendment process, which has been used successfully on several occasions. John Watson, Marietta
For transportation funds, raise the gas tax
We have seen the price of gasoline climb close to $4 per gallon today.
Why are we talking about SPLOSTS and adding more taxes to retail purchases — and not talking about raising the gas tax? Georgia has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country. Surely, we wouldn’t have noticed an additional penny in all this time of rising gas prices — and plenty of money could be raised to fix our transportation infrastructure. While they are at it, the legislators could change the law so that gas taxes also fund alternative forms of transportation. Amy Bitcover, Avondale Estates
In no mood for more taxes to pay for projects
How conveniently our city and state governments come up with funding for projects such as the HOT lanes, the multitude of smaller road projects under way or a new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons — while many teachers, police officers and other public workers have to take furloughs. How dare our governments even consider such projects in such a time as this?
The HOT lanes are only an experiment — with funding that could have gone toward MARTA or some new metro transit services that already have a proven track record of taking cars off the road. And if the Falcons deserve an open-air stadium, let them pay for it from the money they earn in ticket sales. If they can’t afford it, let them wait until they can.
Our local and state governments need to get out of the pocket of the private citizen (and out of bed with the lobbyists). Will Lance, Atlanta
Appreciate anti-crime efforts at Georgia Tech
I appreciate AJC Editor Kevin Riley’s column (“Tech, its president focused on safety,” Opinion, Feb. 12). My son will be a senior at Georgia Tech this fall and has had a great experience.
As my son was walking with a friend one evening, I’m grateful an Atlanta police officer escorted them home. I continue to hope for even more protection for students who live in the surrounding areas of campus (and with tuition costs being so high, more funds should be allocated). Parking on campus is difficult and expensive. I hate that these hardworking young people worry about being beaten (or worse) when they are just walking back from the library or class. One suggestion would be to install more street lights. Susan DeReimer, Loganville
Spend on children and seniors, not weapons
This country’s investment in the military has deprived our communities of the resources they need to rebuild our schools, invest in health care for all and create a clean energy future.
There are difficult choices ahead. Let us not waste precious tax dollars on obsolete Cold War nuclear weapons.
Let us invest in peace and justice. Let us not make cuts harmful to our children or our future, or cuts hurtful to our seniors, who have spent their years serving and producing for our country. ary Provost, Senoia
