This is Viewpoints for Friday, Oct. 21, 2016
Keep in mind
As we go to the polls, please take care to keep real interests in mind, including your own. The Republican-controlled Congress has not funded our crumbling infrastructure, including our water and sewage systems. Their majorities voted against equal pay for women, against increasing the minimum wage, against refinancing student loans, against the Affordable Care Act that insures 20 million lower-wage Americans and protects us against being rejected for coverage because of preexisting conditions.
In January 2016, the Corporation for Enterprise Development, a national financial advocacy group for low and moderate-income families, evaluated each state for financial assets and income, businesses and jobs, housing ownership and health and education. It ranked Georgia almost dead last (we beat only Alabama and Mississippi) in these areas.
National revenues should adequately fund national needs, and the same applies to states such as Georgia. The rich should pay their proper share. Donald Trump’s plans aid people just like him. Chances are, they hurt you and me.
Barbara Brown, Kathleen
Stuttering Awareness Day
Oct. 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day. Did you know that 70 million people worldwide stutter — more than the population of France? For nearly 70 years, the Stuttering Foundation has offered free information about stuttering and its treatment.
To mark this year’s awareness day, we’ve compiled information for all ages from speech-language pathologists around the world who specialize in the treatment of stuttering. This invaluable info can be found at www.StutteringHelp.org. We hope to reach everyone with accurate and informed information about stuttering.
Jane Fraser, president
The Stuttering Foundation
Irreversible
The Supreme Court discussion in the last debate was telling. In Hillary Clinton’s response, she never mentioned the role of Supreme Court justices to uphold the Constitution. It appeared that her litmus test for a new justice is whether they will further the liberal, progressive agenda. If Clinton gets in office, our courts will continue to take us further to the left. These changes will be potentially irreversible. If for nothing else, cast your vote with the Supreme Court and 13 courts of appeals in mind.
John Daugherty, Gray
Your vote matters
I have nothing but weary contempt for this election, and it is only the fact that in three more weeks, it will all be over. I know there are many reading this who feel the same way I do. Maybe you’re fed up with the whole thing. Maybe you’re considering staying home on election day. Don’t.
Whatever you do, whatever you think of Clinton or Trump, the worst thing you can do is not vote. If you’re truly upset, if you truly think you are choosing between two bad choices, then choose to send Washington a message. Vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian. Johnson and his running mate are experienced and principled, and if you are as angry at the system as I am, there is no better way to register your feelings than with a vote for Gary Johnson.
Don’t vote against anyone in this election. Vote for someone.
Ross C. Hardy,
Macon
This story was originally published October 20, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, Oct. 21, 2016."