Beltline streetcar has little benefit to the public
Who will benefit from an Eastside Beltline trail streetcar?
Not the riders because two shuttle buses could immediately provide the same service, at the same stops, as the proposed Eastside streetcar, on existing lightly traveled roads, requiring no major construction and disruption.
Not the environmentalists, having to see hundreds of trees demolished, replaced with a little grass between two rails.
Not the residents, some of whom will have their homes blocked, and not the businesses who will have their customers blocked during construction and fenced off after.
Not the taxpayers who will foot a bill of hundreds of millions of new transit dollars not specifically earmarked for streetcars. The beneficiaries are major construction firms and, perhaps, the PACs of politicians that the contractors fund.
CHRIS DYRDA, ATLANTA
Greed, power driving today’s America
Under the current regime, it is easy to succumb to apathy, fear or despair. This is what the bully wants; this is how the bully will win.
I am ashamed to be an American now, when greed and power occlude morality and compassion. I hope many of us will seek alternative paths that are both nonviolent and restorative.
A. SPRING, DECATUR
GOP looks other way as Trump creates fear
Why are Georgia’s representatives (Congressman Barry Loudermilk) not standing up to defend the U.S. Constitution? Allowing President Donald Trump to write executive orders such as those ending birthright citizenship is hurting his constituents, creating fear and real harm.
Where are the oaths taken by Republican representatives to uphold the Constitution? Will they defend the Constitution or stand by as newborns and immigrant families are targeted in an illegal way?
DARLENE COYNE, ROSWELL
Musk should not have access to Treasury
I was disappointed to see the article, “Musk’s team gains access to Treasury payments system,” placed on page 2A of my paper rather than on the front page.
Elon Musk is not an employee of the U.S. government and should not have access to our Social Security numbers or Treasury payment system. This action by him is actually a five-alarm fire that deserved front-page attention. My fellow Americans should pay attention to this takeover by someone who has no legal rights to this information. What if he decides to stop issuing their Social Security payments and tax refunds? I encourage everyone to watch this very important story.
DONNA M. SKELCY, DECATUR
Stopping foreign aid opens doors for adversaries
Of all the misguided, vindictive and venal actions President Trump has taken in his first days in office, those in the foreign policy arena are the most dangerous. Bullying our allies with threats of punitive tariffs may produce short-term concessions, but will have long-lasting negative consequences by incentivizing our allies to consider alliances with other countries.
Likewise, stopping all foreign aid because a fraction of the spending went to programs the president’s inner circle doesn’t agree with opens the door for our adversaries to fill the gap. China has been making inroads across the globe, and USAID has been one of the few impediments to its rapidly expanding international presence and influence. And if it needs to be said, threats of invasion are never well received.
The United States’ star shined brightest when we worked with our allies to solve difficult problems and extended the hand of friendship to neighbors. International relations, unlike business, has always been a strategic process. Actions taken today cast a long shadow into the future. This is no time to be making new enemies of old friends.
MARK HUNTER, ATLANTA
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