Is goal to ease traffic or fund pet projects?
Regarding T-SPLOST, much has been said and written about the benefits of relieving traffic congestion around metro Atlanta. Some of the projects on the construction list have nothing to do with congestion. One is the millions for construction at McCollum Airport in Kennesaw. Unless someone can convince me how this will relieve road congestion, I will get the 17 voters in this family to vote “no.”
Ralph Walker, Marietta
Build the offices closer to where workers live
In “Plans miss root cause of our long commutes” (Readers write, Opinion, May 30), the letter writer hit the nail on the head. Why don’t large employers find out where most of their employees commute from, then build office buildings in the areas where their employees live? Just possibly, governmental entities could see the wisdom and work up a tax incentive to help on cost of relocations. I’m sure Atlanta leaders would not want to lose the large-office folks, but roadways could see a great decrease in traffic — thereby solving some of the gridlock. Decentralization would go a long way in cutting down on traffic and pollution from automobiles, and could cut additional road building.
Pat Patterson, Monroe
Krugman’s credentials are beyond question
In response to the letter writer who questioned Paul Krugman’s place on the AJC’s opinion page (“Columnist is beyond a leftist, and must go,” Opinion, June 5), allow me to inform that writer that Krugman is one the world’s foremost economists. Krugman is a Keynesian theorist whose opinions are well respected by those who favor pragmatic solutions to economic upheavals over dogmatic agendas. I’ve followed Krugman for years and find his solutions spot-on to what ails this economy. I believe, however, in an economy that promotes the common good — not just the good of the privileged. Someone with a different worldview might favor other theories. But Krugman is a welcome addition to the opinion page.
Jack H. Davis, Douglasville
A stranger reassures me about our future
Several days ago, my wife and I went to a neighborhood restaurant for breakfast. I need to walk with a cane. As I approached the inner door to the dining area, I saw a young man sitting at the counter, who got off his stool and fast-paced to the door. He opened the door for me with a polite “Sir.” I thanked him and as I walked past him, I noticed he was wearing a T-shirt with “USMC” imprinted on it. I turned to him and said, “A Marine would do that. Thank you, again.” He gave me a polite, “You’re welcome, sir.”
With young men (and women) of this caliber and the support of the old ( like me), there is no question in my mind that our country will come out of the malaise we are in stronger and greater than ever.
DAN SIEGEL, DACULA
