Attacks on USAID put local economy at risk
For more than six decades, USAID has played a key role in global engagement, preventing health crises before they spread and strengthening overseas markets that benefit Georgia’s economy. USAID has helped keep Americans safe while promoting global stability by tackling diseases such as Ebola and malaria.
Atlanta has always been a gateway to the world — an economic and diplomatic powerhouse. With the CDC headquartered here and Fortune 500 companies relying on international trade, our city’s success is deeply tied to global engagement.
Now, politically motivated attacks threaten to dismantle this vital agency, putting public health and economic interests alike at risk. Congress must act to restore USAID’s independence — our security, our businesses and our international leadership depend on it.
BETHANY DIAMOND, SANDY SPRINGS
Nation’s debt demands that we act now
To those contributors and some AJC reporters and editors, I would like to point out certain facts that might change the opinions recently expressed in this section and in other parts of the AJC.
Our spending and budget problems go back to before Bill Clinton in 1993. Barack Obama recognized the serious problems that entitlements posed to the country’s federal budget and financial security in 2012. He even put Joe Biden in charge of stopping waste and abuse of Medicare and Medicaid. Our situation is far worse than it was at those times - $37 trillion in debt and pending insolvency of Social Security and Medicare portend financial disaster for everyone. Interest on the massive debt will drain our resources and devalue our currency.
To many of you, the cure is worse than the disease, but as difficult and displeasing as it might seem, it isn’t! Trump and Musk are doing the only right thing. We have to act now, or it might be too late. Stop the inane opposition, and get with the attempt to rescue us from disaster.
JOHN MCNAMEE, ALPHARETTA
Tariffs are a national sales tax in disguise
Pretty much everything we buy as U.S. consumers is made in other countries, and it’s been that way for decades. This has happened because big-box retailers realized it was a way to keep prices down and profits up.
Now the regime in power is intent on imposing enormous tariffs, saying this will bring back jobs from overseas. They cannot immediately bring back all the jobs lost to outsourcing — far from it. Average people will just be paying much more for consumer goods than they have been. So what’s the purpose of these sudden, hefty tariffs?
Well, the tariffs will increase federal revenue without raising income taxes. They are basically a national sales tax on goods, a tax that never would have been accepted if it had been presented as such. As a result, the working class is about to experience a deep drop in its standard of living — a “little pain,” as the regime says.
DEAN POIRIER, LILBURN
Trump’s bad tactics hurt people and government
There is a difference between strategy and tactics. Strategically, no one argues that the government can be more efficient and effective.
Tactically, firing people based on hire dates instead of what they do, or firing and then rehiring, speaks to horrible tactics.
These tactics upsetpeople’s lives, strain critical government services and indicate a desire to be seen as doing something instead of doing something right.
Bad tactics (tariffs on/ tariffs off) are damaging, and we should not be praising Elon Musk or Donald Trump because they allowed them and continue to encourage them.
MIKE WRIGHT, MARIETTA
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