Dear Maureen,
Thank you for your column 12/30/12. I'm sure it brought a lot of peace and healing to many people. I don't believe in God, Christian or any other, but I do believe in human kindness and I respect the beliefs of others. I always knew there was some kindness in me even though I also saw disdain, uncaring, and the hardness that grows as we age and experience life's trials, but it became much clearer to me recently as I faced my sister's death and felt somewhat surprised as I rose to the occasion, if such a thing is really possible. Perhaps we all have this capability but are afraid to show it in case it is seen as weakness and advantage is taken of us. But I learned from my experience helping my sister that many people admire kindness and wish to be part of it. For many hours and days I sat by her side at the hospice as she gradually faded, and I watched her sleep and saw her smile at me as she wakened self-conscientiously and asked me to rub her feet or her back or get her some more water. She never complained and even as her life drifted away she seemed more concerned about others and showed appreciation of the attention I paid her even though it was the least I could do. I saw the kindness of the doctors and nurses and attendants and even the custodians who carefully cleaned and sterilized the room each day. I saw the concern in the eyes of the volunteers who served me tea in the common room and sat with me and talked about life and death. I saw the humanity in the parson who, even though he knew I didn't subscribe to his faith, still spent hours with me in discussion of many things. Each day as I arrived the receptionists would ask me how Marie was doing and how I was myself, and I felt that the entire hospice was one big human family of support. So maybe it's there in all of us and perhaps some of us need religion to show it. But the important thing is to recognize our own ability to be kind to one another and to care, and that's what really counts in the end.
Tom McManus
710 Ashcreek Court
Roswell, ga 30075
770 552 0417
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Fiscal Cliff
Fiscal cliff Dec 19 2012
In trying to reach a deal to avoid going over the Fiscal Cliff, both President Obama and speaker Boehner have mixed too many elements into the discussion without doing an adequate analysis of the real issues that need correcting. There are at least three dissimilar areas in their respective plans that need to be tackled on an individual basis and time frame.
Two areas that should be removed from these discussions and addressed in their own right are Social Security and Medicare. These two programs are currently fully funded and are not directly responsible for the current deficit. In fact they are solvent for a number of years, and yes they do need adjustment to improve their future financial prospects. But that should be a separate discussion for each and should not be lumped in with the current deficit problem.
The deficit is mainly due to the economy and the fact that we had to pay for un-budgeted wars with revenue that had been negatively impacted as a result of poorly thought out tax reductions by the Bush administration. Focusing on improving the economy, creating growth to improve employment , and implementing tax reform are the main thrusts that will reduce our deficit. That is where the discussion should be, and not on extraneous self funding social programs that have no immediate impact on the economy.
In trying to reach a deal to avoid going over the Fiscal Cliff, both President Obama and speaker Boehner have mixed too many elements into the discussion without doing an adequate analysis of the real issues that need correcting. There are at least three dissimilar areas in their respective plans that need to be tackled on an individual basis and time frame.
Two areas that should be removed from these discussions and addressed in their own right are Social Security and Medicare. These two programs are currently fully funded and are not directly responsible for the current deficit. In fact they are solvent for a number of years, and yes they do need adjustment to improve their future financial prospects. But that should be a separate discussion for each and should not be lumped in with the current deficit problem.
The deficit is mainly due to the economy and the fact that we had to pay for un-budgeted wars with revenue that had been negatively impacted as a result of poorly thought out tax reductions by the Bush administration. Focusing on improving the economy, creating growth to improve employment , and implementing tax reform are the main thrusts that will reduce our deficit. That is where the discussion should be, and not on extraneous self funding social programs that have no immediate impact on the economy.
Child Murders
Child Murders Dec 15 2012
How many more people must die before we do something real to stop the carnage. How many parents,spouses, brothers, and sisters are we willing to lose before we admit to ourselves that a cancer is growing in our society. A cancer of hatred and contempt, driven by party politics, media, and clergy, and we turn a blind eye and ignore the signs of our decay. We no longer listen or accept other ideas or concepts in our bigotry against any who don't think or act like ourselves.
It's time we as a nation took stock of our culture and started a course of reconciliation and respect to regain the real American society that once was there. Yes we have too many physical weapons in our midst ,and we don't know how to control them, but by letting our society sink into the morass it has become, we have turned ourselves into the most dangerous weapons.
How many more people must die before we do something real to stop the carnage. How many parents,spouses, brothers, and sisters are we willing to lose before we admit to ourselves that a cancer is growing in our society. A cancer of hatred and contempt, driven by party politics, media, and clergy, and we turn a blind eye and ignore the signs of our decay. We no longer listen or accept other ideas or concepts in our bigotry against any who don't think or act like ourselves.
It's time we as a nation took stock of our culture and started a course of reconciliation and respect to regain the real American society that once was there. Yes we have too many physical weapons in our midst ,and we don't know how to control them, but by letting our society sink into the morass it has become, we have turned ourselves into the most dangerous weapons.
GOP war on the elderly
GOP war on elderly
Not content with their war on women, the republicans have now declared war on the elderly, the poor, and the sick with their latest proposal to cut spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. This escalation is in line with their long avowed strategy to destroy the social security net that has protected millions of Americans over the last 75 years.
Behind their obstinate obstructionism is the ideological belief that the country needs to be led and controlled by the rich few and that the majority should provide the support and market to keep this rich elite in their leadership position. Never has this principle been clearer than during these last twelve years as they have rewarded the rich and impoverished millions.
President Obama has an opportunity to step up and oppose these diabolical plans. By returning tax rates to more normal levels for the rich and eliminating the earnings cap on Medicare and Social Security payments, he could move the country back to a more balanced and fairer budget and take us a long way towards cutting the deficit. Cutting spending on social programs will only push millions more into misery and will not impact the budget adequately without raising taxes on all Americans instead of just the rich.
Not content with their war on women, the republicans have now declared war on the elderly, the poor, and the sick with their latest proposal to cut spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. This escalation is in line with their long avowed strategy to destroy the social security net that has protected millions of Americans over the last 75 years.
Behind their obstinate obstructionism is the ideological belief that the country needs to be led and controlled by the rich few and that the majority should provide the support and market to keep this rich elite in their leadership position. Never has this principle been clearer than during these last twelve years as they have rewarded the rich and impoverished millions.
President Obama has an opportunity to step up and oppose these diabolical plans. By returning tax rates to more normal levels for the rich and eliminating the earnings cap on Medicare and Social Security payments, he could move the country back to a more balanced and fairer budget and take us a long way towards cutting the deficit. Cutting spending on social programs will only push millions more into misery and will not impact the budget adequately without raising taxes on all Americans instead of just the rich.
Grover Norquist
Grover Norquist. Nove 26 2012
By bucking the republican group-think that catapulted Grover Norquist into a position of dictatorial might, Saxby Chambliss has shown strength and determination to put country first before blind ideology.
It's amazing that one man has been able to hold the GOP hostage with his intellectual bullying and uninformed obstinacy. Perhaps the recent defeat has shown the thinkers in the party that blind obedience is not what the people want.
Poll after poll has shown that the majority wish to see the more affluent carry their share of taxes. It's time to look at our situation with clear mathematical analyses instead of ideologically based opinions that history has shown to be failing strategies.
Our union requires a basic level of taxes to keep us operating in the mode which we consider truly American. Surely the rich who have gained so much from this country are willing to pay back at least at the same level as the average citizen. Paying taxes is patriotic and the minimum contribution that we all should be willing to give to maintain our defense, our infrastructure, our health, our education, our children's future, and the dignity of our elder citizens.
By bucking the republican group-think that catapulted Grover Norquist into a position of dictatorial might, Saxby Chambliss has shown strength and determination to put country first before blind ideology.
It's amazing that one man has been able to hold the GOP hostage with his intellectual bullying and uninformed obstinacy. Perhaps the recent defeat has shown the thinkers in the party that blind obedience is not what the people want.
Poll after poll has shown that the majority wish to see the more affluent carry their share of taxes. It's time to look at our situation with clear mathematical analyses instead of ideologically based opinions that history has shown to be failing strategies.
Our union requires a basic level of taxes to keep us operating in the mode which we consider truly American. Surely the rich who have gained so much from this country are willing to pay back at least at the same level as the average citizen. Paying taxes is patriotic and the minimum contribution that we all should be willing to give to maintain our defense, our infrastructure, our health, our education, our children's future, and the dignity of our elder citizens.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Deal's decision to forego Medicaid help.
Letter to AJC 8-29-2012
Governor Deal's decision to deny medical support to the poor in Georgia is a clear indication of how crucial this upcoming general election really is. As a result of apathy and right wing brainwashing, Georgia now operates under a republican dictatorship where money rules and the core principles of American democracy have been cast aside.
Do we want to live in an America where the poor, the sick, the elderly are disdained and subjugated. An America where women and minorities are bullied and forced to live in someone else's ideological world? Or would we prefer the America of old where we have compassion and caring for one another and we all share in the cost?
Given the rhetoric of the last few months it's obvious to me that the republicans are once more casting their fairy dust into the air hoping they can confuse enough people to further their goal of total domination of all levels of government. Georgia is a forerunner in that consolidation. Buyers beware.
Tom
Governor Deal's decision to deny medical support to the poor in Georgia is a clear indication of how crucial this upcoming general election really is. As a result of apathy and right wing brainwashing, Georgia now operates under a republican dictatorship where money rules and the core principles of American democracy have been cast aside.
Do we want to live in an America where the poor, the sick, the elderly are disdained and subjugated. An America where women and minorities are bullied and forced to live in someone else's ideological world? Or would we prefer the America of old where we have compassion and caring for one another and we all share in the cost?
Given the rhetoric of the last few months it's obvious to me that the republicans are once more casting their fairy dust into the air hoping they can confuse enough people to further their goal of total domination of all levels of government. Georgia is a forerunner in that consolidation. Buyers beware.
Tom
T-SPLOST and Ga 400 tolls
Letter to -AJC 8-5-2012
T-SPLOST and GA400 Tolls
It's not surprising that the T-SPLOST failed. Asking people to tax themselve is normally not a good idea, especially when so many people have been stirred up by the negative publicity of nay-sayers and the anti-government crowd as Kevin Riley so accurately pointed out in his editorial.
Now we will have to address and fund specific local projects without the benefits that a federally backed metro approach would have given us. As a Roswell resident I suggest that Governor Deal reverse his stance on the Ga 400 tolls and leave them in place. Use the money to fund only the Ga-400 interchange improvements that were built into the T-SPLOST. That way those of us who live in the northern suburbs would get some relief on one of the busiest roads in the nation.
Tom
T-SPLOST and GA400 Tolls
It's not surprising that the T-SPLOST failed. Asking people to tax themselve is normally not a good idea, especially when so many people have been stirred up by the negative publicity of nay-sayers and the anti-government crowd as Kevin Riley so accurately pointed out in his editorial.
Now we will have to address and fund specific local projects without the benefits that a federally backed metro approach would have given us. As a Roswell resident I suggest that Governor Deal reverse his stance on the Ga 400 tolls and leave them in place. Use the money to fund only the Ga-400 interchange improvements that were built into the T-SPLOST. That way those of us who live in the northern suburbs would get some relief on one of the busiest roads in the nation.
Tom
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Voter fraud and citizen disenfranchisement
Letter to AJC 7-24-2012
Voter fraud and citizen disenfranchisement.
A letter writer complains that Leonard Pitts is playing the race card by decrying the spate of laws requiring photo ID for all who wish to vote. An example was made of cashing a check at a bank and being required to show photo ID. Perhaps the writer forgot that owning a bank account is a privilege provided by a business that sets its own rules, but voting is a right for all citizens provided by our constitution.
The laws directed at those without voter ID are aimed at a symptom of our poor voting system. These laws are attempting to correct issues that are inherently built into a poorly designed voting process, but they also negatively impact many of our rightful voters. With the technological capability we have today there is no excuse for lack of electronic systems that detect attempted voter fraud before it occurs.
All the situations claimed by those who would disenfranchise some of our citizens can be identified in a properly designed system and database before voting takes place. Issues such as people who are not registered, people who have passed away, people who are trying to vote more than once, people who are not citizens, can all be determined electronically if we put the effort into designing our strategic national information properly.
Stop gap measures never work in the end. They only add more confusion and frustration. We need to work on our real problems and put aside these ideologically driven schemes that hurt the country and our democracy.
Voter fraud and citizen disenfranchisement.
A letter writer complains that Leonard Pitts is playing the race card by decrying the spate of laws requiring photo ID for all who wish to vote. An example was made of cashing a check at a bank and being required to show photo ID. Perhaps the writer forgot that owning a bank account is a privilege provided by a business that sets its own rules, but voting is a right for all citizens provided by our constitution.
The laws directed at those without voter ID are aimed at a symptom of our poor voting system. These laws are attempting to correct issues that are inherently built into a poorly designed voting process, but they also negatively impact many of our rightful voters. With the technological capability we have today there is no excuse for lack of electronic systems that detect attempted voter fraud before it occurs.
All the situations claimed by those who would disenfranchise some of our citizens can be identified in a properly designed system and database before voting takes place. Issues such as people who are not registered, people who have passed away, people who are trying to vote more than once, people who are not citizens, can all be determined electronically if we put the effort into designing our strategic national information properly.
Stop gap measures never work in the end. They only add more confusion and frustration. We need to work on our real problems and put aside these ideologically driven schemes that hurt the country and our democracy.
War on Medicaid
Letter to AJC 7-14-2012
A letter writer decries the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act and claims that the USA has the world's premium health care system. According to the World Health Organization, the USA ranks 3 7th out of 191 countries examined, behind France, Italy, the UK and many others. To put our ranking in perspective, Slovenia ranks 38th, and Cuba 39th.
The WHO reports also states that the U.S. health system spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product than any other country. The USA, according to a report from Reuters, spends 16% of GDP on healthcare. In contrast the United Kingdom spends just six percent of GDP on health services but ranks 18th in the WHO survey
One key recommendation from the WHO report is for countries to extend health insurance to as large a percentage of the population as possible. WHO says that it is better to make "pre-payments" on health care as much as possible, whether in the form of insurance, taxes or social security.
It's clear that many of our citizens are misinformed. The media bears a large part of that responsibility and needs to provide accurate and concise information to help people understand and separate politically driven hyperbole from reality.
A letter writer decries the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act and claims that the USA has the world's premium health care system. According to the World Health Organization, the USA ranks 3 7th out of 191 countries examined, behind France, Italy, the UK and many others. To put our ranking in perspective, Slovenia ranks 38th, and Cuba 39th.
The WHO reports also states that the U.S. health system spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product than any other country. The USA, according to a report from Reuters, spends 16% of GDP on healthcare. In contrast the United Kingdom spends just six percent of GDP on health services but ranks 18th in the WHO survey
One key recommendation from the WHO report is for countries to extend health insurance to as large a percentage of the population as possible. WHO says that it is better to make "pre-payments" on health care as much as possible, whether in the form of insurance, taxes or social security.
It's clear that many of our citizens are misinformed. The media bears a large part of that responsibility and needs to provide accurate and concise information to help people understand and separate politically driven hyperbole from reality.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
AJC Sponsored T-SPLOST Debate
Letter to AJC 7-14-2012
The AJC sponsored debate between the supporters and opponents of the proposed T-SPLOST brought to light several very important facts for all Atlantans to be aware of.
First: Growth, employment, and prosperity of a metro area are directly linked to the quality of transportation and ease of access. Atlanta, as we all know, falls far short on these attributes.
Second: House prices and real estate values are related to the perceived quality of transportation and ease of access. Atlanta's house prices have declined faster than all other metro areas in the USA and have failed to rise like other cities due to our lack of transportation and ease of access.
Third: Over the last three decades, Atlanta has dropped from being amongst the leaders to being number one eighty nine out of two hundred metro areas in the world as rated on an economic desirability scale. This is mainly due to our poor transportation and lack of planning for the future. This rating deters new business and will hinder growth of our local economy.
As an observation on the positions taken, it is clear to me that both sides in the debate agree that we need to do something. The disagreements on the T-SPLOST seem to be partly ideology and partly the choice of the projects to be funded. If we could put aside our differences and work towards a common solution for the good of the entire region we could once again see Atlanta surging ahead and prospering.
To that end its clear to me that we should proceed to implement the one percent additional tax and establish a board of overseers to ensure the funds are properly utilized. I also think that the lower priorities on the list of projects could be revisited to ensure that all of them are directed to improving our economy and not just short term traffic fixes.
The long term view needs to be the guiding principle in this decision and short sighted attitudes to developing the region will only make our city decline further and reduce the value of our real estate even more.
The AJC sponsored debate between the supporters and opponents of the proposed T-SPLOST brought to light several very important facts for all Atlantans to be aware of.
First: Growth, employment, and prosperity of a metro area are directly linked to the quality of transportation and ease of access. Atlanta, as we all know, falls far short on these attributes.
Second: House prices and real estate values are related to the perceived quality of transportation and ease of access. Atlanta's house prices have declined faster than all other metro areas in the USA and have failed to rise like other cities due to our lack of transportation and ease of access.
Third: Over the last three decades, Atlanta has dropped from being amongst the leaders to being number one eighty nine out of two hundred metro areas in the world as rated on an economic desirability scale. This is mainly due to our poor transportation and lack of planning for the future. This rating deters new business and will hinder growth of our local economy.
As an observation on the positions taken, it is clear to me that both sides in the debate agree that we need to do something. The disagreements on the T-SPLOST seem to be partly ideology and partly the choice of the projects to be funded. If we could put aside our differences and work towards a common solution for the good of the entire region we could once again see Atlanta surging ahead and prospering.
To that end its clear to me that we should proceed to implement the one percent additional tax and establish a board of overseers to ensure the funds are properly utilized. I also think that the lower priorities on the list of projects could be revisited to ensure that all of them are directed to improving our economy and not just short term traffic fixes.
The long term view needs to be the guiding principle in this decision and short sighted attitudes to developing the region will only make our city decline further and reduce the value of our real estate even more.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Republican war on Medicaid
Letter to AJC 7-12-2012
Kyle Wingfield's article on Medicaid clearly defines the financial bubble in which the well-off Republicans live. From Romney on down, their God is money. All their decisions revolve around the cost and how much it will affect their well stuffed wallets.
Kyle missed the point that truly civilized nations care for the health of all their citizens. When the founding fathers declared that this nation has the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness", they implicitly created the right to good health. No one can pursue happiness if they are ill and unable to afford medical care.
I suggest Kyle and the Republicans search their moral centers and support additional Medicaid funding for Georgia to help those who need it most. Stop playing these silly games with people's lives.
Tom
Kyle Wingfield's article on Medicaid clearly defines the financial bubble in which the well-off Republicans live. From Romney on down, their God is money. All their decisions revolve around the cost and how much it will affect their well stuffed wallets.
Kyle missed the point that truly civilized nations care for the health of all their citizens. When the founding fathers declared that this nation has the right to "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness", they implicitly created the right to good health. No one can pursue happiness if they are ill and unable to afford medical care.
I suggest Kyle and the Republicans search their moral centers and support additional Medicaid funding for Georgia to help those who need it most. Stop playing these silly games with people's lives.
Tom
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Female Pay Inequity
Letter to AJC 6-27-2012
Mona Charen in her opinion piece wrote "Despite endless repetition by democrats and feminists, the idea that women earn less than men for the same work is fiction". its clear to me that Mona hasn't researched her topic very well. A simple review of many studies reaffirms the gap.
For example a comprehensive study on the gender wage gap was released in 2003 by the staff of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The researchers controlled for "work patterns," including years of work experience, education, and hours of work per year, as well as differences in industry, occupation, race, marital status, and job tenure. With controls for these variables in place, the data showed that women earned, on average, 20% less than men during the entire period 1983 to 2000.
More recently, women’s earnings were found to be lower than men's earnings in all states according to the Income, Earnings, and Poverty Data from the 2007 American Community Survey by the Census Bureau. The national female-to-male earnings ratio was 77.5 %
The Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzed the gap in 2010 by level of education and found that across the board women earn less than men with the same educational accomplishment. The median weekly earnings ratio for women as compared to men is 80% for PHDs, 76% for Masters, 77% for Bachelors, 76% for Associates, and 76% for High School graduates.
This shameful practice must stop. The first step in solving an issue is to admit and accept the problem exists. We need politicians and media who know the facts and are willing to change processes for the good of the people, not for the flawed ideology of the party.
Mona Charen in her opinion piece wrote "Despite endless repetition by democrats and feminists, the idea that women earn less than men for the same work is fiction". its clear to me that Mona hasn't researched her topic very well. A simple review of many studies reaffirms the gap.
For example a comprehensive study on the gender wage gap was released in 2003 by the staff of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The researchers controlled for "work patterns," including years of work experience, education, and hours of work per year, as well as differences in industry, occupation, race, marital status, and job tenure. With controls for these variables in place, the data showed that women earned, on average, 20% less than men during the entire period 1983 to 2000.
More recently, women’s earnings were found to be lower than men's earnings in all states according to the Income, Earnings, and Poverty Data from the 2007 American Community Survey by the Census Bureau. The national female-to-male earnings ratio was 77.5 %
The Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzed the gap in 2010 by level of education and found that across the board women earn less than men with the same educational accomplishment. The median weekly earnings ratio for women as compared to men is 80% for PHDs, 76% for Masters, 77% for Bachelors, 76% for Associates, and 76% for High School graduates.
This shameful practice must stop. The first step in solving an issue is to admit and accept the problem exists. We need politicians and media who know the facts and are willing to change processes for the good of the people, not for the flawed ideology of the party.
Politifact gets it wrong again
Letter to AJC 6-26-2012
The people writing the AJC Politifact are either showing their heavy anti-Obama bias with the latest 6-26-2012 rating, or they need a remedial reading comprehension class, or they support the republican war on women. Maybe all three. They rated Obama's latest ad as mostly false, but it's obvious that they took the words and modified the intent of the statement to meet their own biased thinking.
The ad said "President Obama knows that women being paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men isn't just unfair, it hurts families."
What's untrue about that statement? If you were a woman and were doing the same work as a man and he was being paid 30% more than you, (23/77*100 for the math challenged), wouldn't you consider it unfair?
He didn't say all women are being paid 77 cents as compared to men for the same work, he referenced those women who are being paid at that discriminatory rate. Don't tell me you think women aren't worth the same pay as men for the same work.
Please try to keep your bias out of ratings. It's clear to me that the AJC has moved far to the right. The AJC Politifact is supposed to be seeking the truth. There is no room for bias in there.
The people writing the AJC Politifact are either showing their heavy anti-Obama bias with the latest 6-26-2012 rating, or they need a remedial reading comprehension class, or they support the republican war on women. Maybe all three. They rated Obama's latest ad as mostly false, but it's obvious that they took the words and modified the intent of the statement to meet their own biased thinking.
The ad said "President Obama knows that women being paid 77 cents on the dollar for doing the same work as men isn't just unfair, it hurts families."
What's untrue about that statement? If you were a woman and were doing the same work as a man and he was being paid 30% more than you, (23/77*100 for the math challenged), wouldn't you consider it unfair?
He didn't say all women are being paid 77 cents as compared to men for the same work, he referenced those women who are being paid at that discriminatory rate. Don't tell me you think women aren't worth the same pay as men for the same work.
Please try to keep your bias out of ratings. It's clear to me that the AJC has moved far to the right. The AJC Politifact is supposed to be seeking the truth. There is no room for bias in there.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Supreme Court throws democracy to the dogs
Letter to AJC 6-25-2012
In rendering it's decision against Montana's century old anti-corruption law to limit political donations by big business, the US Supreme Court has shown its true partisan color and ruled as a puppet of the republican mindset. This case had popular support for Montana, yet the US Supreme Court defended its Citizens United decision against the wishes of the majority of the country. Polls show that most people (80%) are sickened by the huge sums of money being spent by Super Pacs and funded by extremely wealthy individuals.
The republican long range plan is working. With their acquisition of the majority in the Supreme Court, and the House in Congress, they can wreak havoc on reasonable and rational plans for advancement of the country. No matter how much the people want something, if it doesn't conform to the republican ideology it gets struck down. What hypocrisy! On the one hand conservatives argue against Federal Government interference in States rights, but when it suits their ideology they are willing to smack down States who try to retain and protect their own honorable and ethical laws.
Tom
TJ IPad
In rendering it's decision against Montana's century old anti-corruption law to limit political donations by big business, the US Supreme Court has shown its true partisan color and ruled as a puppet of the republican mindset. This case had popular support for Montana, yet the US Supreme Court defended its Citizens United decision against the wishes of the majority of the country. Polls show that most people (80%) are sickened by the huge sums of money being spent by Super Pacs and funded by extremely wealthy individuals.
The republican long range plan is working. With their acquisition of the majority in the Supreme Court, and the House in Congress, they can wreak havoc on reasonable and rational plans for advancement of the country. No matter how much the people want something, if it doesn't conform to the republican ideology it gets struck down. What hypocrisy! On the one hand conservatives argue against Federal Government interference in States rights, but when it suits their ideology they are willing to smack down States who try to retain and protect their own honorable and ethical laws.
Tom
TJ IPad
Friday, June 8, 2012
Economy and Jobs Recovery
Letter to AJC 6-2-2012
The anemic jobs recovery is a clear indication that we no longer live in a Representative Republic. Our economy and our government are held hostage by the whims and greed of large industrial complexes and unscrupulous financial institutions. They are driven to reward only the rich executives and shareholders and care nothing for the workers and their families.
Our political system is no longer "of the people for the people". We have been betrayed by Congress and the Supreme Court who have handed the reins of the Country over to lobbiests and corporations, with the ruling on Citizens United, and the anti-worker legislation in most states.
A vast unwitting population sits idly by as the schemers rub their hands in glee at the rise of the hard right whose long range plan is totalitarian control of all our legislative bodies. If "we the people" don't sit up and take notice, we will end up like the proverbial frog in hot water.
The anemic jobs recovery is a clear indication that we no longer live in a Representative Republic. Our economy and our government are held hostage by the whims and greed of large industrial complexes and unscrupulous financial institutions. They are driven to reward only the rich executives and shareholders and care nothing for the workers and their families.
Our political system is no longer "of the people for the people". We have been betrayed by Congress and the Supreme Court who have handed the reins of the Country over to lobbiests and corporations, with the ruling on Citizens United, and the anti-worker legislation in most states.
A vast unwitting population sits idly by as the schemers rub their hands in glee at the rise of the hard right whose long range plan is totalitarian control of all our legislative bodies. If "we the people" don't sit up and take notice, we will end up like the proverbial frog in hot water.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Romney Model
Letter to AJC 5-24-2012
It is now pretty clear that the Romney model enriched the Bain executives
at the expense of the workers and shareholders of the companies Bain took over and destroyed. He is referencing this as evidence of his capability to run the country. If applied to our economy his model will empty the treasury in favor of the rich one-percenters, while the rest fall further into poverty.
Isn't that what the founding fathers were desperately afraid of, and why they established the three facets of government to ensure we have checks and balances against such piracy. If we hand over the country to this type of thinking it really will be the demise of the American dream.
I don't understand how the core of hard-working, well-intentioned republicans can be taken in by this obvious scam.
Tom
It is now pretty clear that the Romney model enriched the Bain executives
at the expense of the workers and shareholders of the companies Bain took over and destroyed. He is referencing this as evidence of his capability to run the country. If applied to our economy his model will empty the treasury in favor of the rich one-percenters, while the rest fall further into poverty.
Isn't that what the founding fathers were desperately afraid of, and why they established the three facets of government to ensure we have checks and balances against such piracy. If we hand over the country to this type of thinking it really will be the demise of the American dream.
I don't understand how the core of hard-working, well-intentioned republicans can be taken in by this obvious scam.
Tom
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Mitt Romney and the bully pulpit
Letter to AJC 5-14- 2012
Mitt Romney seems to have a problem with selective memory. He can't recall the bullying incident at prep school. He doesn't remember when he was a bishop in the Mormon church threatening excommunication of a lady if she didn't give up her child for adoption. He can't remember the incident when he insisted that a desperately ill women not have an abortion, even though she was facing a life threatening situation.
After some prompting, he seems to remember driving for 12 hours with his dog on the roof of the car, but he doesn't seem too fazed by it. He dismisses reports of all the hardship and pain he caused at Bain consulting when he eviscerated companies and fired people by the thousands to enrich himself and his buddies.
Mitt seems to slough off all these past sins. He seems to feel that he is entitled to treat people any way he wants . We can see it in his future plans for the country. If he is elected the rich will surely enjoy more wealth and privilege, whilst the poor, the weak, and gays will have to fight for survival, and females will have to give up all the gains they have made in the last century.
Tom
Mitt Romney seems to have a problem with selective memory. He can't recall the bullying incident at prep school. He doesn't remember when he was a bishop in the Mormon church threatening excommunication of a lady if she didn't give up her child for adoption. He can't remember the incident when he insisted that a desperately ill women not have an abortion, even though she was facing a life threatening situation.
After some prompting, he seems to remember driving for 12 hours with his dog on the roof of the car, but he doesn't seem too fazed by it. He dismisses reports of all the hardship and pain he caused at Bain consulting when he eviscerated companies and fired people by the thousands to enrich himself and his buddies.
Mitt seems to slough off all these past sins. He seems to feel that he is entitled to treat people any way he wants . We can see it in his future plans for the country. If he is elected the rich will surely enjoy more wealth and privilege, whilst the poor, the weak, and gays will have to fight for survival, and females will have to give up all the gains they have made in the last century.
Tom
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Atlanta Deficiencies
Letter to AJC 5-9-2012
A recent visitor to Atlanta wrote about three major deficiencies of our city. Poor transportation, miserable education, and crime. They seem to be the definers of our metropolis and make all our lives that much less enjoyable. It is the civic responsibility of citizens grouped into a large city to ensure that everyone has access to good education, ease of moving around, and a safe and secure environment to raise a family. For many people in Atlanta, we are failing miserably in these basic goals.
Our traffic situation is abominable and our mass transportation is practically non existent. Modern cities pride themselves on state-of-the-art people movement systems while Atlanta and surrounding cities ignore the morass we are in, and and balk at spending any money to make the situation better. It's like the old saying "cutting our nose off to spite our face".
Our education system is almost the worst in the nation. Instead of trying to fix it we encourage an atmosphere of cheating, and then turn our backs on the less well off segments of the population and establish private schools for the rich which suck off dollars from the public school system. Yes classism is alive and well here, and money talks.
As for our crime situation; have we become inured to the constant drum of murder and violent crime that serves as news? What happened to our civic pride? Why aren't we tackling the underlying problems that have built this laissez faire attitude?
Time for Atlantans to wake up to reality and start behaving like responsible adults.
A recent visitor to Atlanta wrote about three major deficiencies of our city. Poor transportation, miserable education, and crime. They seem to be the definers of our metropolis and make all our lives that much less enjoyable. It is the civic responsibility of citizens grouped into a large city to ensure that everyone has access to good education, ease of moving around, and a safe and secure environment to raise a family. For many people in Atlanta, we are failing miserably in these basic goals.
Our traffic situation is abominable and our mass transportation is practically non existent. Modern cities pride themselves on state-of-the-art people movement systems while Atlanta and surrounding cities ignore the morass we are in, and and balk at spending any money to make the situation better. It's like the old saying "cutting our nose off to spite our face".
Our education system is almost the worst in the nation. Instead of trying to fix it we encourage an atmosphere of cheating, and then turn our backs on the less well off segments of the population and establish private schools for the rich which suck off dollars from the public school system. Yes classism is alive and well here, and money talks.
As for our crime situation; have we become inured to the constant drum of murder and violent crime that serves as news? What happened to our civic pride? Why aren't we tackling the underlying problems that have built this laissez faire attitude?
Time for Atlantans to wake up to reality and start behaving like responsible adults.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Bin Laden's death, one year later.
Letter to AJC 5-1 -2012
One year ago our commander-in-chief made the tough decision to send in the seal team to take down the most infamous terrorist of our time. He made the hard choice to put our military in harm's way to ensure we rid ourselves of this monster. He could have ordered a remote drone attack, or he could have listened to the nay-sayer's clamor, but instead he took the courageous path and today the world is Bin Laden free.
One would think that all Americans would cheer him on and be grateful to have such a strong decisive president who actually makes things happen. Instead we see Republican spluttering and denial as they try to denigrate President Obama's action in killing Bin Laden after 8 years of apathy by the last (Republican) administration. We are not fooled. It's clear that Romney and all the other conservative talking heads are only interested in themselves and their party ideology. It takes a strong man to admit that his adversary has succeeded. It's apparent that there are no strong Republicans anymore, just rich and greedy good old boys.
Tom
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Republican Mind
Letter to AJC 4-26-2012
I am always amazed at the republican memory. It is short lived and selective. It seems to paint a rosy picture when suited to its ideological bias and recalls dire effects when progressive steps actually succeed in making our lives better. I'm sure future analysts will write reams on the conservative mind, and perhaps find a right-wing gene just as scientists are now uncovering the god gene.
Take for example their blinkered view of our hero Reagan. The man has been elevated to godlike status and is seen as the ultimate defender against tax increases. Strange that in the real record he actually raised taxes 11 separate times during his reign. But those small details don't seem to stick to the right wing memory. Perhaps it is too painful a connection to make. Maybe they don't want to admit that Reagan was actually a centrist.
Now that the primary season has passed its peak of entertainment, and we are saddled with the default candidate I'm sure we will be subjected to reruns of Reagan adoration as Romney tries to confuse voters with his execu-speak. And as we watch the faithful fall in line I will be reminded of that old Reagan witticism "there you go again".
I am always amazed at the republican memory. It is short lived and selective. It seems to paint a rosy picture when suited to its ideological bias and recalls dire effects when progressive steps actually succeed in making our lives better. I'm sure future analysts will write reams on the conservative mind, and perhaps find a right-wing gene just as scientists are now uncovering the god gene.
Take for example their blinkered view of our hero Reagan. The man has been elevated to godlike status and is seen as the ultimate defender against tax increases. Strange that in the real record he actually raised taxes 11 separate times during his reign. But those small details don't seem to stick to the right wing memory. Perhaps it is too painful a connection to make. Maybe they don't want to admit that Reagan was actually a centrist.
Now that the primary season has passed its peak of entertainment, and we are saddled with the default candidate I'm sure we will be subjected to reruns of Reagan adoration as Romney tries to confuse voters with his execu-speak. And as we watch the faithful fall in line I will be reminded of that old Reagan witticism "there you go again".
Social Security Funding
Letter to AJC 4-24-12
Per the headline in the AJC, the social security trust fund is projected to exhaust in 2033. That issue can be completely solved by removing the cap on payments into social security. Currently, anyone earning up to $110,000 pays 6.2% of their income into the trust fund. People earning more pay a smaller percentage.
For example someone earning $250,000 pays 2.7%, and anyone earning a million dollars or more pays 1.0% or less. Is this a reasonable formula? Once again rich people pay less than their fair share, and those that really need social security to live with some form of dignity in their senior years, will suffer a loss of benefits because of this inequity.
Per the headline in the AJC, the social security trust fund is projected to exhaust in 2033. That issue can be completely solved by removing the cap on payments into social security. Currently, anyone earning up to $110,000 pays 6.2% of their income into the trust fund. People earning more pay a smaller percentage.
For example someone earning $250,000 pays 2.7%, and anyone earning a million dollars or more pays 1.0% or less. Is this a reasonable formula? Once again rich people pay less than their fair share, and those that really need social security to live with some form of dignity in their senior years, will suffer a loss of benefits because of this inequity.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
David Brooks Column 4-16-2012
Letter to AJC 4-16-2012
David Brooks has pinpointed one of the biggest reasons for high unemployment; industrial efficiency gains. Even as our export trade grows by leaps and bounds, workers in traditional manufacturing and service roles find it extremely difficult to locate and keep a job. Brooks has labeled this new economy I (E-I) and made the erroneous jump of claiming that only the republicans occupy that E- I mindset. Thats a nice political spin move, but it just doesn't ring true, given the number of democrats spear heading large efficient corporations. Unfortunately Brooks did not offer any solutions.
It's clear that the normal process for job creation has changed. Large industrial corporations have developed ways to increase their output per employee by using sophisticated technology that reduces the need for people. This demands new thinking about our long term education and training programs to prepare for future demands instead of the current system that has failed our graduates in terms of career selection and skills. It also demands a new approach to job creation, something that no longer depends on the vagaries of the rich.
Tom
David Brooks has pinpointed one of the biggest reasons for high unemployment; industrial efficiency gains. Even as our export trade grows by leaps and bounds, workers in traditional manufacturing and service roles find it extremely difficult to locate and keep a job. Brooks has labeled this new economy I (E-I) and made the erroneous jump of claiming that only the republicans occupy that E- I mindset. Thats a nice political spin move, but it just doesn't ring true, given the number of democrats spear heading large efficient corporations. Unfortunately Brooks did not offer any solutions.
It's clear that the normal process for job creation has changed. Large industrial corporations have developed ways to increase their output per employee by using sophisticated technology that reduces the need for people. This demands new thinking about our long term education and training programs to prepare for future demands instead of the current system that has failed our graduates in terms of career selection and skills. It also demands a new approach to job creation, something that no longer depends on the vagaries of the rich.
Tom
Friday, April 13, 2012
Hilary Rosen comments on Ann Romney
Letter to AJC 4-13-2012 (This one was published)
Perhaps it was a poor choice of words when Hilary Rosen commented on Ann Romney "not working a day in her life". That's an unfair characterization of mothers in general, but then no one can really say that Ann Romney is a typical mom. With two Cadillacs, three houses, untold wealth,and unlimited outside help, it's clear she hasn't experienced the daily grind of the real American mom.
Unfortunately the main point of Rosen's quip has been glossed over by the diversionary tactics of the republican media machine. If Mitt Romney considers his wife an advisor on the nation's economy, it is an unsettling exposure of his inadequacy to lead this country.
Tom
Perhaps it was a poor choice of words when Hilary Rosen commented on Ann Romney "not working a day in her life". That's an unfair characterization of mothers in general, but then no one can really say that Ann Romney is a typical mom. With two Cadillacs, three houses, untold wealth,and unlimited outside help, it's clear she hasn't experienced the daily grind of the real American mom.
Unfortunately the main point of Rosen's quip has been glossed over by the diversionary tactics of the republican media machine. If Mitt Romney considers his wife an advisor on the nation's economy, it is an unsettling exposure of his inadequacy to lead this country.
Tom
Friday, March 9, 2012
Political shift
Letter to AJC 3-9-2012
The primary season illustrates the polar shift in thinking throughout the nation. What we are seeing is the rebirth, again, of the two most powerful political parties as the nation's ideology shifts further to the right.
In spite of the constitutional separation of Church and State, the Republicans are rapidly evolving into a Christian evangelical social conservative party, with shades of Sharia thinking and "take no prisoner" ethos.
The Democrats are now closer to the original fiscal conservative thinking, but with a social conscience and a progressive attitude.
No wonder voters are confused.
The true "Reagan based" Republicans need to urge the Christian Evangelical conservatives to stand up, with the courage of their convictions, and form their own theocratic party, so that Americans can really see what is happening and chose accordingly.
Tom
The primary season illustrates the polar shift in thinking throughout the nation. What we are seeing is the rebirth, again, of the two most powerful political parties as the nation's ideology shifts further to the right.
In spite of the constitutional separation of Church and State, the Republicans are rapidly evolving into a Christian evangelical social conservative party, with shades of Sharia thinking and "take no prisoner" ethos.
The Democrats are now closer to the original fiscal conservative thinking, but with a social conscience and a progressive attitude.
No wonder voters are confused.
The true "Reagan based" Republicans need to urge the Christian Evangelical conservatives to stand up, with the courage of their convictions, and form their own theocratic party, so that Americans can really see what is happening and chose accordingly.
Tom
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Vote in Georgia Super Tuesday
Letter to AJC 2-29-12
Senator Santorum must be very happy with the Michigan democrats. They came out and voted for him in opposition to Governor Romney. So, in spite of his gaffes and belligerent rhetoric, his campaign is still alive. Some people called it a dirty trick to invite democrats to vote for him, but frankly it's one the republicans use to advantage all the time.
When it's our turn in Georgia, I'm sure there will be many who will chose Santorum over Gingrich. Let's hope so, Newt needs to be brought down a peg or two. His insufferable egotism, lies, and distortions have strained this country ever since he devised his despicable tactic of telling people how to describe opponents with the worst of epithets.
The man does not deserve to have our vote. His attitude and behavior should have relegated him to the murky background long before now. He has fooled far too many with his supposed frankness when all that is intended is more book sales and publicity pouring dollars into Newt's coffers. So join your democrat friends and vote for Santorum next Tuesday.
Tom
Senator Santorum must be very happy with the Michigan democrats. They came out and voted for him in opposition to Governor Romney. So, in spite of his gaffes and belligerent rhetoric, his campaign is still alive. Some people called it a dirty trick to invite democrats to vote for him, but frankly it's one the republicans use to advantage all the time.
When it's our turn in Georgia, I'm sure there will be many who will chose Santorum over Gingrich. Let's hope so, Newt needs to be brought down a peg or two. His insufferable egotism, lies, and distortions have strained this country ever since he devised his despicable tactic of telling people how to describe opponents with the worst of epithets.
The man does not deserve to have our vote. His attitude and behavior should have relegated him to the murky background long before now. He has fooled far too many with his supposed frankness when all that is intended is more book sales and publicity pouring dollars into Newt's coffers. So join your democrat friends and vote for Santorum next Tuesday.
Tom
Monday, February 27, 2012
Newt Gingrich gas price fantasy
Letter to AJC 2-27-2012
Newt Gingrich entered the realm of fantasy when he claimed that by increasing drilling he could reduce gasoline to $2.50 per gallon. Dream on! The only way that price is possible is through another full blown recession like we experienced as a legacy of the Bush administration.
Gingrich seems to ignore all the facts. US drilling under the Obama administration has surged. According to an article published in the Wall Street Journal in Aug 2011, the number of oil rigs drilling in the USA rose 60% last year and is the highest since 1987. Under the Bush/Cheney regime oil production in the US fell from 5.7 millions barrels per day to 5.0 in 2008. Under Obama that output has jumped back to the level it was when Bush first took office. Offshore drilling under Obama is at the highest it has been in a decade.
If Gingrich took the time to research the issue he would find that presidential actions have little effect on the ultimate price of gasoline. That figure is driven by free market demand and his comments are pure hypothetical posturing. In fact his plan smacks of government interference in the free market economy, something I thought was anathema to the conservative agenda.
The only reasonable way forward to reduce the impact of the price of gasoline, is to improve the efficiency of automobiles and transport in general. If we were to double or triple MPG then the net effect would be a lower gasoline cost in our budgets. Why don't the conservatives try to help the country and get fully behind that program and use the might of our engineering talent to reduce our dependency on oil by leading the world once again in truly innovative automobile technology?
Tom
Newt Gingrich entered the realm of fantasy when he claimed that by increasing drilling he could reduce gasoline to $2.50 per gallon. Dream on! The only way that price is possible is through another full blown recession like we experienced as a legacy of the Bush administration.
Gingrich seems to ignore all the facts. US drilling under the Obama administration has surged. According to an article published in the Wall Street Journal in Aug 2011, the number of oil rigs drilling in the USA rose 60% last year and is the highest since 1987. Under the Bush/Cheney regime oil production in the US fell from 5.7 millions barrels per day to 5.0 in 2008. Under Obama that output has jumped back to the level it was when Bush first took office. Offshore drilling under Obama is at the highest it has been in a decade.
If Gingrich took the time to research the issue he would find that presidential actions have little effect on the ultimate price of gasoline. That figure is driven by free market demand and his comments are pure hypothetical posturing. In fact his plan smacks of government interference in the free market economy, something I thought was anathema to the conservative agenda.
The only reasonable way forward to reduce the impact of the price of gasoline, is to improve the efficiency of automobiles and transport in general. If we were to double or triple MPG then the net effect would be a lower gasoline cost in our budgets. Why don't the conservatives try to help the country and get fully behind that program and use the might of our engineering talent to reduce our dependency on oil by leading the world once again in truly innovative automobile technology?
Tom
Friday, February 24, 2012
Letter to AJC 2-24-2012
Letter to AJC 2-24-12
We all knew it was coming, but the final capitulation of the AJC to the forces of the right is still a hard blow to take. Placing Mike Lukovitch's political cartoon alongside an opposing view, of lesser substance, has brought the paper to a new despicable low. A long history of courage in the face of popular stupidity is finally at an end. What next? Eliminate Doonesbury ?
Luckovitch is in a category by himself and always portrays the asininity of his subjects, whether liberal or conservative. The slate of right wing political cartoonists carried of late in the AJC appear to be puppets of the anti- Obama crowd whose hate speech has splintered our nation. Shame on the new editorial staff of the AJC for this lily livered right wing action.
Tom
We all knew it was coming, but the final capitulation of the AJC to the forces of the right is still a hard blow to take. Placing Mike Lukovitch's political cartoon alongside an opposing view, of lesser substance, has brought the paper to a new despicable low. A long history of courage in the face of popular stupidity is finally at an end. What next? Eliminate Doonesbury ?
Luckovitch is in a category by himself and always portrays the asininity of his subjects, whether liberal or conservative. The slate of right wing political cartoonists carried of late in the AJC appear to be puppets of the anti- Obama crowd whose hate speech has splintered our nation. Shame on the new editorial staff of the AJC for this lily livered right wing action.
Tom
Letters sent to AJC earlier in 2012
Letters to the AJC sent in 2012
______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 2-17-12
The GOP should change its moniker to the HYP,a party of spin and hypocrisy. Their words and actions have been in direct opposition to one another over the last two decades, and it's getting worse. Take contraception for example. A blue ribbon congressional panel made up entirely of GOP males is pontificating on the rights of women. In the mean time 98% of catholic women already take contraceptive precautions, whilst their conservative male spiritual leaders strut and fret and interfere in people's right to live their lives as they see fit.
But that's not all, as the TV ad so often says. Look closely at the four front runners in the battle for the republican nomination for president; A serial adulterer who claims ownership of family values; a flip flopper who espoused liberal programs before he denigrated them; a libertarian who would bring us back to the 18th century; and an "average Joe" who earned close to a million dollars each of the last seven years. These are the people who are the cream of the republicans?
And, if you order now you can also receive more of the same. A collapsed economy as under Bush II. A return to "free for all" financial hi-jinks. A funnel for wealth to the super rich. Bankrupt Social Security and Medicare systems. Free wheeling special interests deciding policy. Failing education. Gutted science. Religious rules thrust upon us. The environment raped and discarded. And more wars fought by the underclass, whilst the privileged stay at home and watch on TV.
Sounds scary doesn't it. But as sure as the sun rises over Stone Mountain, Georgians will hold their noses, turn off their brains, and vote again for the hype that has nearly ruined our State and our Nation.
Tom
______________________________________________
letter to AJC 2-8-12
It shows how far down we have fallen in Georgia when once we held our noses and actually considered Karen Handel a reasonable alternative to Nathan Deal for governor. We should have known when we saw her try to deny the poor,the old, and the forgotten a right to vote. We should have known when she stood alongside her erstwhile companion Sarah Palin and decried the right of a woman to chose her own destiny. But we were taken in, and now we see the fruits of our self deception.
Karen has shown us that she puts party ideology above the very essence of her womanhood. Not only is she guilty of conspiring to dismantle Planned Parenthood but now she is using the age old tactic of bending and distorting the truth to distract from her own despicable actions. Let's hope Karen Handel disappears into the background and fades with the others of her ilk. Unfortunately given the tenor of the times, it's likely she will become a star among the mass of far right activists who seek to destroy rather than build.
Tom
________________________________________________
Letter to ajc 2-3-12
With the big game day approaching, the republicans should take note of the mechanism that keeps the NFL afloat and millions glued to their TV sets around the world. In the words of the commissioner, the NFL operates in a blend of free enterprise and socialism. A sharing of wealth between the teams ensures that no one team becomes the most powerful for all time to dominate the sport for ever. This approach guarantees fan support for individual teams and the ongoing health of the entire enterprise.
Funny isn't it? Seems like the country could really benefit from such a system and then we wouldn't have the 1 percent billionaires and millionaires making condescending statements about the poor. I think the NFL model shows that, like most things, an equilibrium is best, and that balancing wealth production with gain by everyone involved is a workable and productive system.
Tom
________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-26-12
It's sad to see anti-Obama bias creeping into the Truth-o-Meter reports. I know you have to play to your audience but, the most recent report on the State of the Union speech rated 2 points half true when the facts as reported in the column actually show that the statements are true.
Without a bailout General Motors would have gone bankrupt and up to a million jobs would have been lost. Obama never actually stated that it was solely the bail out that put GM back on top, but without it they wouldn't be where they are today. I think that is absolutely true. Rating Obama's statement half true simply shows the bias.
Secondly, the rating on job creation is also flawed. There is no doubt that over the past 22 months 3 million jobs have been created by private business. That's what he said, and that is perfectly true. Sorry if it doesn't meet your agenda, but if you want to have credibility in this reporting, have the guts to assess and report things correctly.
Tom
_______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-20-2012
Newt Gingrich believes that the best form of defense is attack. Anything to deflect blame elsewhere seems to be his modus operandi. His pomposity knows no bounds and his surge in popularity is an ominous harbinger for the future of America. Where are the mores of yesteryear? If indeed Newt wins the candidacy, it would appear that we are headed for polygamy and graft as the new norm. The respectable republicans have all been intimidated by the mobocracy of the tea party who would return our country to an"every man for himself"cauldron of recklessness. The days of Reagan are certainly over.
Tom
______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 2-17-12
The GOP should change its moniker to the HYP,a party of spin and hypocrisy. Their words and actions have been in direct opposition to one another over the last two decades, and it's getting worse. Take contraception for example. A blue ribbon congressional panel made up entirely of GOP males is pontificating on the rights of women. In the mean time 98% of catholic women already take contraceptive precautions, whilst their conservative male spiritual leaders strut and fret and interfere in people's right to live their lives as they see fit.
But that's not all, as the TV ad so often says. Look closely at the four front runners in the battle for the republican nomination for president; A serial adulterer who claims ownership of family values; a flip flopper who espoused liberal programs before he denigrated them; a libertarian who would bring us back to the 18th century; and an "average Joe" who earned close to a million dollars each of the last seven years. These are the people who are the cream of the republicans?
And, if you order now you can also receive more of the same. A collapsed economy as under Bush II. A return to "free for all" financial hi-jinks. A funnel for wealth to the super rich. Bankrupt Social Security and Medicare systems. Free wheeling special interests deciding policy. Failing education. Gutted science. Religious rules thrust upon us. The environment raped and discarded. And more wars fought by the underclass, whilst the privileged stay at home and watch on TV.
Sounds scary doesn't it. But as sure as the sun rises over Stone Mountain, Georgians will hold their noses, turn off their brains, and vote again for the hype that has nearly ruined our State and our Nation.
Tom
______________________________________________
letter to AJC 2-8-12
It shows how far down we have fallen in Georgia when once we held our noses and actually considered Karen Handel a reasonable alternative to Nathan Deal for governor. We should have known when we saw her try to deny the poor,the old, and the forgotten a right to vote. We should have known when she stood alongside her erstwhile companion Sarah Palin and decried the right of a woman to chose her own destiny. But we were taken in, and now we see the fruits of our self deception.
Karen has shown us that she puts party ideology above the very essence of her womanhood. Not only is she guilty of conspiring to dismantle Planned Parenthood but now she is using the age old tactic of bending and distorting the truth to distract from her own despicable actions. Let's hope Karen Handel disappears into the background and fades with the others of her ilk. Unfortunately given the tenor of the times, it's likely she will become a star among the mass of far right activists who seek to destroy rather than build.
Tom
________________________________________________
Letter to ajc 2-3-12
With the big game day approaching, the republicans should take note of the mechanism that keeps the NFL afloat and millions glued to their TV sets around the world. In the words of the commissioner, the NFL operates in a blend of free enterprise and socialism. A sharing of wealth between the teams ensures that no one team becomes the most powerful for all time to dominate the sport for ever. This approach guarantees fan support for individual teams and the ongoing health of the entire enterprise.
Funny isn't it? Seems like the country could really benefit from such a system and then we wouldn't have the 1 percent billionaires and millionaires making condescending statements about the poor. I think the NFL model shows that, like most things, an equilibrium is best, and that balancing wealth production with gain by everyone involved is a workable and productive system.
Tom
________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-26-12
It's sad to see anti-Obama bias creeping into the Truth-o-Meter reports. I know you have to play to your audience but, the most recent report on the State of the Union speech rated 2 points half true when the facts as reported in the column actually show that the statements are true.
Without a bailout General Motors would have gone bankrupt and up to a million jobs would have been lost. Obama never actually stated that it was solely the bail out that put GM back on top, but without it they wouldn't be where they are today. I think that is absolutely true. Rating Obama's statement half true simply shows the bias.
Secondly, the rating on job creation is also flawed. There is no doubt that over the past 22 months 3 million jobs have been created by private business. That's what he said, and that is perfectly true. Sorry if it doesn't meet your agenda, but if you want to have credibility in this reporting, have the guts to assess and report things correctly.
Tom
_______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-20-2012
Newt Gingrich believes that the best form of defense is attack. Anything to deflect blame elsewhere seems to be his modus operandi. His pomposity knows no bounds and his surge in popularity is an ominous harbinger for the future of America. Where are the mores of yesteryear? If indeed Newt wins the candidacy, it would appear that we are headed for polygamy and graft as the new norm. The respectable republicans have all been intimidated by the mobocracy of the tea party who would return our country to an"every man for himself"cauldron of recklessness. The days of Reagan are certainly over.
Tom
Letters to AJC sent in 2011
Letters sent to AJC in 2011
____________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 12-18-2011 (This one they actually published- edited of course)
The current gridlock in Washington is a sure sign our mode of government is no longer effective. The elected representatives seem to be focused only on their own beliefs and gains, and no longer represent the will of the people including minority opinions. It's time to revamp the system to prevent the country from collapsing under the weight of these career congressmen, senators, and judiciary.
We need to implement term limits on these statesmen so that they concentrate on the job of running the country, make decisions and take actions that are for the good of the people, instead of the special interest and lobbyists. We also need to eliminate their paranoia regarding their own reelection.
I suggest that congressmen and senators be elected for a maximum of 2 terms and that the President should be given a single term of 6 years so that the focus is on governance instead of party politics and reelection. That way we would have people elected who are more in touch with the real feelings of the country instead of the privileged culture that exists today.
We also need to take a closer look at the judiciary. Why do supreme court justices have a lifetime tenure? Surely that locks in biased thinking instead of the neutral interpretation of the law that they are supposed to provide. I think they also should be appointed for a term of perhaps 9 years with one third of them being replaced every three years.
Tom
_________________________________________________
10-27-2011
Today's political "cartoon" by Michael Ramirez is hate speech. If the AJC wishes to be balanced in its opinion, there needs to be proper editing and selection of material to ensure that offensive, hate filled messages are discarded. It's time to drop the Michael Ramirez nastiness. There is no place for this in a well intentioned media outlet.
Tom
__________________________________________________
Letter to the editor AJC 9-17-2011
A number of conservatives including Rick Perry and Charles Krauthammer have called the national social security program a Ponzi scheme. As a retired senior who paid into social security when I was working, I resent the fear mongering that these people are spreading. This appears to be aimed at younger workers to make them question the plan and drive changes that will damage their prospects for income during their retirement years.
The CBO has indicated that the plan is solvent for decades, and only needs small tweaking to ensure full payment to all retirees. One simple change is to remove the cap on income. That would make sure Social Security remained solvent for the next 75 years at least. It only seems fair that richer workers provide their full share of contribution to the plan.
The discussions of converting to private plans also concerns me, because there are pitfalls in that approach. Currently employers match the contributions made by workers into social security. There is no guarantee under privatization, that those matching contributions will continue, so working people will only have half the amount of money to build their accounts as compared to the government run social security program. This seems to me to be a pro-business position to reduce business costs and take away a pension plan that employers have been required to support during the last 70 years.
Perhaps Politifacts should be directed to do a proper unbiased analysis of this situation. I think that would be a much more helpful use of their time than all the partisan political spin that they seem to be focusing on.
Tom
___________________________________________________
To the editor AJC 9-12-2011
How sad it is to see the once mighty Atlanta Journal Constitution censor political commentary. For the last three days the AJC has intentionally blocked the publication of Doonesbury’s comics because it raises important questions about Sarah Palin, and points to the level of hypocrisy that conservatives are willing to overlook when choosing people for the most important offices of the land.
I have seen the gradual decline of the AJC over the last decade as public opinion in Georgia has swung republican. The so called balanced commentary of the AJC is clearly right wing biased. It is becoming a paper Fox. I am dismayed that the editorial staff of the AJC have fallen victim to the pecuniary demands of circulation objectives by feeding the right wing machine in Georgia with their expected ideological views.
Time to take stock of your conscience. You have become just another instrument playing into the hands of the rich and powerful, and have lost your claim to representing considered, rational thought.
Tom
______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 8-11-2011
The tea-party controlled Congress failed to listen to the reasoned argument put forward by President Obama for a balanced approach to eliminating our country's debt. He clearly pointed out the risks to our economy and the impact on the market if the republicans bowed to the fanatic right wing and refused to compromise.
As a result we have witnessed turmoil in the market and a return to fear of double dip recession. By their stubborn and ignorant position, the tea party has achieved Bin Laden's dream of bringing our great country to the brink of disaster.
When will we learn that governing requires proper unemotional planning and compromise instead of ideological obstinate attitudes that have no purpose other than to advance political ambitions.
Paraphrasing the famous words of Pogo, "We have met the enemy, and they are us".
Tom
______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 7-27-2011 (this one was published, edited of course)
If the tea party succeeds in forcing the USA into default next week with their outrageous posturing, then they will have caused more pain and suffering for this country than all the terrorists and extremists combined could ever have dreamed would occur. Our dollar value will plummet, inflation will return with a vengeance, millions will lose jobs and houses, and we will head straight into another deep recession or worse.
Congress has completely abrogated it's responsibility to the people to guide this country and ensure our well being. We are being held hostage to the poorly thought-out policies of ideologs who either don't understand or who don't care how important it is to maintain our credit status.
It's clear we have to work on reducing spending and changing our approach to taxes to make sure all citizens and businesses contribute their fair share. But let's do it rationally and with careful analysis rather than this "winner takes all " approach that our current representatives seem to have.
One lesson from this debacle is clear. Be careful who you vote for.
Tom
________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-31-2011
The AJC's analysis of the new Georgia tax proposal, as outlined in the Politifact column, ignores the problems this will cause for seniors. In the last decade, interest rates have fallen from 6% to less than 1% resulting in a major decline in seniors' income from CDs and savings. To impose an increase in state tax on seniors will add to that burden, and result in suffering for many.
Currently, a senior making up to $30,000 per year from retirement savings or pensions is exempt from Georgia income tax on that amount. This new plan would eliminate that exemption and raise the senior's taxes whilst at the same time imposing a new tax on groceries and services.
It means a huge reduction in disposable income for the senior, and a jump in the cost of living that will not be reflected in any social security increase. How is this fair? To seniors this is clearly a double tax increase.
Since all the supporters of this new tax plan seem to feel that this will be revenue neutral, why the rush to change? It appears that it is simply a shifting of revenue generation from the already rich and powerful to the old and the poor; people who can ill afford it, and who don't have the benefit of influential lobbyists under the gold dome.
Tom
____________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-8-2011
Dear Sir/Madam,
The new Georgia tax proposal is simply a ruse to increase taxes on seniors and the poor, and give tax breaks to businesses and the wealthy. A senior making up to $30,000 per year from retirement savings or pensions is currently exempt from Georgia income tax. This new plan would eliminate that exemption and raise the senior's taxes whilst at the same time imposing a new tax on groceries and services. It means a huge reduction in disposable income, and a jump in the cost of living that will not be reflected in any social security increase. How is this fair?
With the rush to become a single party state, a business first attitude, and a focus only on the desires of the rich and their lobbyists, who is going to speak for and protect the old, the weak and the poor, a cultural value that our country used to pride itself on? With this Georgian attitude, Florida looks better all the time to our large and growing population of seniors.
Tom
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 12-18-2011 (This one they actually published- edited of course)
The current gridlock in Washington is a sure sign our mode of government is no longer effective. The elected representatives seem to be focused only on their own beliefs and gains, and no longer represent the will of the people including minority opinions. It's time to revamp the system to prevent the country from collapsing under the weight of these career congressmen, senators, and judiciary.
We need to implement term limits on these statesmen so that they concentrate on the job of running the country, make decisions and take actions that are for the good of the people, instead of the special interest and lobbyists. We also need to eliminate their paranoia regarding their own reelection.
I suggest that congressmen and senators be elected for a maximum of 2 terms and that the President should be given a single term of 6 years so that the focus is on governance instead of party politics and reelection. That way we would have people elected who are more in touch with the real feelings of the country instead of the privileged culture that exists today.
We also need to take a closer look at the judiciary. Why do supreme court justices have a lifetime tenure? Surely that locks in biased thinking instead of the neutral interpretation of the law that they are supposed to provide. I think they also should be appointed for a term of perhaps 9 years with one third of them being replaced every three years.
Tom
_________________________________________________
10-27-2011
Today's political "cartoon" by Michael Ramirez is hate speech. If the AJC wishes to be balanced in its opinion, there needs to be proper editing and selection of material to ensure that offensive, hate filled messages are discarded. It's time to drop the Michael Ramirez nastiness. There is no place for this in a well intentioned media outlet.
Tom
__________________________________________________
Letter to the editor AJC 9-17-2011
A number of conservatives including Rick Perry and Charles Krauthammer have called the national social security program a Ponzi scheme. As a retired senior who paid into social security when I was working, I resent the fear mongering that these people are spreading. This appears to be aimed at younger workers to make them question the plan and drive changes that will damage their prospects for income during their retirement years.
The CBO has indicated that the plan is solvent for decades, and only needs small tweaking to ensure full payment to all retirees. One simple change is to remove the cap on income. That would make sure Social Security remained solvent for the next 75 years at least. It only seems fair that richer workers provide their full share of contribution to the plan.
The discussions of converting to private plans also concerns me, because there are pitfalls in that approach. Currently employers match the contributions made by workers into social security. There is no guarantee under privatization, that those matching contributions will continue, so working people will only have half the amount of money to build their accounts as compared to the government run social security program. This seems to me to be a pro-business position to reduce business costs and take away a pension plan that employers have been required to support during the last 70 years.
Perhaps Politifacts should be directed to do a proper unbiased analysis of this situation. I think that would be a much more helpful use of their time than all the partisan political spin that they seem to be focusing on.
Tom
___________________________________________________
To the editor AJC 9-12-2011
How sad it is to see the once mighty Atlanta Journal Constitution censor political commentary. For the last three days the AJC has intentionally blocked the publication of Doonesbury’s comics because it raises important questions about Sarah Palin, and points to the level of hypocrisy that conservatives are willing to overlook when choosing people for the most important offices of the land.
I have seen the gradual decline of the AJC over the last decade as public opinion in Georgia has swung republican. The so called balanced commentary of the AJC is clearly right wing biased. It is becoming a paper Fox. I am dismayed that the editorial staff of the AJC have fallen victim to the pecuniary demands of circulation objectives by feeding the right wing machine in Georgia with their expected ideological views.
Time to take stock of your conscience. You have become just another instrument playing into the hands of the rich and powerful, and have lost your claim to representing considered, rational thought.
Tom
______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 8-11-2011
The tea-party controlled Congress failed to listen to the reasoned argument put forward by President Obama for a balanced approach to eliminating our country's debt. He clearly pointed out the risks to our economy and the impact on the market if the republicans bowed to the fanatic right wing and refused to compromise.
As a result we have witnessed turmoil in the market and a return to fear of double dip recession. By their stubborn and ignorant position, the tea party has achieved Bin Laden's dream of bringing our great country to the brink of disaster.
When will we learn that governing requires proper unemotional planning and compromise instead of ideological obstinate attitudes that have no purpose other than to advance political ambitions.
Paraphrasing the famous words of Pogo, "We have met the enemy, and they are us".
Tom
______________________________________________
Letter to AJC 7-27-2011 (this one was published, edited of course)
If the tea party succeeds in forcing the USA into default next week with their outrageous posturing, then they will have caused more pain and suffering for this country than all the terrorists and extremists combined could ever have dreamed would occur. Our dollar value will plummet, inflation will return with a vengeance, millions will lose jobs and houses, and we will head straight into another deep recession or worse.
Congress has completely abrogated it's responsibility to the people to guide this country and ensure our well being. We are being held hostage to the poorly thought-out policies of ideologs who either don't understand or who don't care how important it is to maintain our credit status.
It's clear we have to work on reducing spending and changing our approach to taxes to make sure all citizens and businesses contribute their fair share. But let's do it rationally and with careful analysis rather than this "winner takes all " approach that our current representatives seem to have.
One lesson from this debacle is clear. Be careful who you vote for.
Tom
________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-31-2011
The AJC's analysis of the new Georgia tax proposal, as outlined in the Politifact column, ignores the problems this will cause for seniors. In the last decade, interest rates have fallen from 6% to less than 1% resulting in a major decline in seniors' income from CDs and savings. To impose an increase in state tax on seniors will add to that burden, and result in suffering for many.
Currently, a senior making up to $30,000 per year from retirement savings or pensions is exempt from Georgia income tax on that amount. This new plan would eliminate that exemption and raise the senior's taxes whilst at the same time imposing a new tax on groceries and services.
It means a huge reduction in disposable income for the senior, and a jump in the cost of living that will not be reflected in any social security increase. How is this fair? To seniors this is clearly a double tax increase.
Since all the supporters of this new tax plan seem to feel that this will be revenue neutral, why the rush to change? It appears that it is simply a shifting of revenue generation from the already rich and powerful to the old and the poor; people who can ill afford it, and who don't have the benefit of influential lobbyists under the gold dome.
Tom
____________________________________________________
Letter to AJC 1-8-2011
Dear Sir/Madam,
The new Georgia tax proposal is simply a ruse to increase taxes on seniors and the poor, and give tax breaks to businesses and the wealthy. A senior making up to $30,000 per year from retirement savings or pensions is currently exempt from Georgia income tax. This new plan would eliminate that exemption and raise the senior's taxes whilst at the same time imposing a new tax on groceries and services. It means a huge reduction in disposable income, and a jump in the cost of living that will not be reflected in any social security increase. How is this fair?
With the rush to become a single party state, a business first attitude, and a focus only on the desires of the rich and their lobbyists, who is going to speak for and protect the old, the weak and the poor, a cultural value that our country used to pride itself on? With this Georgian attitude, Florida looks better all the time to our large and growing population of seniors.
Tom
____________________________________________________
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