GOVERNMENT
Assistance for the poor, vulnerable is essential
It is morally unacceptable to balance the budget on the backs of the poor. All too few of us act with true concern for the poor, but the test of moral values is how we treat the poor and vulnerable.
Proposed poverty-focused development and humanitarian assistance is only 0.6 percent of the federal budget; recent House cuts, about 26 percent.
Such assistance is essential for human life and dignity; solidarity with poorer nations; and security.
A moral budget will not abandon the poorest among our brothers and sisters (both here and overseas). Our first concern must be: “How will this impact the poor?”
Cullen Larson, regional director for the U.S. southeast region, Catholic Relief Services
ENVIRONMENT
Billboards destroy our natural resources
Billboards over trees? Oh, please! It pains me to drive up any of Georgia’s highways, only to be bombarded by offensive advertisements for lawyers, religious protocol, strip clubs and fast-food pushers. For that, we chop down our natural resources that keep our air cleaner?
And for what: jobs? Are these jobs created to build and post the billboards? To cut the trees? Personally, I boycott the businesses that pollute our roadways. Use those “jobs” to clean up our roadways, plant more trees and emphasize the natural resources that Georgia could offer. If you insist on raping our land (what’s left of it), at least make it obligatory to plant four new trees for every one taken.
Julie Fredrick, Atlanta
GOVERNMENT
Building a stadium should not be a priority
I read with some dismay that the state is considering a bond to help fund a new football stadium. With a tight economy and shrinking public funds for basic services like education, it seems unwise to spend money on something so frivolous. I’m a Falcons fan (and many-year season ticket holder) and would like nothing better than an open-air stadium. But why would we cut Georgia pre-k, but issue bonds for a new stadium when we have a functional one already?
I was even more upset when I read that the plan is to build a smaller stadium (and possibly raise ticket prices). We should spend public money so fewer people can go to the game and fewer people can afford it? It’s insane. I hope our public officials will put a stop to this.
Amy Bruckman, Atlanta
IMMIGRATION
Stop ignoring, start enforcing existing laws
Here’s a win-win for Gov. Deal: simply enforce existing federal and state laws. There are already laws in place that deal with matters surrounding the illegal immigration discussion, but most of them are being ignored. As Georgia’s highest elected official, Gov. Deal has an obligation to make sure anything within our state’s borders is done within these existing laws. Ignoring current law while everybody discusses what might be done to change this in the future is not acceptable. Neither side of the current debate can fault the governor if he does the responsible thing — and requires everyone in Georgia to abide by existing laws.
Linda Edmonds, Decatur
