For gifts over $500, issue a Form 1099

One excellent way of stopping the strong influence of lobbyists over our representatives is for a Form 1099 to be issued for each gift over $500. That way, representatives will have to pay taxes on the gift. This could offer a simple solution, which benefits the federal and state tax base — or potentially limits the number of free gifts accepted to influence our representatives.

William Landen, Lavonia

Let politicians stand up and be counted in 2012

As debate rages over the political influence lobbyists attain by giving gifts to politicians, a simple solution may be around the corner. If politicians care more for perks than ethics, let them stand up and be counted in the next election. The AJC (and other proponents of diminishing this form of bribery) should commit to publishing a list before elections of how each candidate stands on reform. To prevent a disingenuous commitment to favor reforms while knowing it will never come up for a vote, candidates should also have to agree to support voting on a reform proposal within 60 days of election.

Eric Sandberg, Atlanta

Money for one group shouldn’t go to other

I was glad for the enlightening article about Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s long-standing support and funding of Planned Parenthood (“Komen reverses funding refusal,” News, Feb. 4). I have donated to Komen but will not any more. Breast cancer research and helping women obtain abortions are two very different things. Money from one organization should not be given to another. I wonder if other people who have donated to Komen were aware of its support of Planned Parenthood.

Jacqueline Dixon, Villa Rica

To save the country, we must help middle class

The smartest thing I’ve heard Mitt Romney say during this presidential campaign is that he’s not going to worry about the poor — that his focus is going to be on the middle class. That is how it should be. With good intentions, the government made lower-income people dependent on its largess. The law of unintended consequences kicked in. We have a “culture of poverty” where those with no education, no jobs, no income and no desire for achievement believe they are entitled to a percentage of everything earned by those who contribute to society. What has been done to the poor is reprehensible. We must share responsibility for the culture of poverty we helped create. We cannot afford to do this now. Until the economy improves and the middle class is back to work, all we can do for the poor is maintain the status quo. To save our country, we must concentrate on helping the middle class achieve the American dream.

Joanne Smalley, Atlanta