8/29:
Wants more consideration of
Linder's fair tax plan
Editor, the Forum:
It surprises me that Rep.
Linder's Fair Tax Plan has
gotten, to my knowledge, so
little attention. It represents
and promises so much in the
way of freeing us all of nearly
a 100-year-old burden that
has stiffed our economy, limited
our freedom and encroached
upon our lives.
The payroll income tax system
is obsolete and costs far
more than it should. It is
not only expensive to administer
and enforce, it is not necessary
in the age of the computer.
It puts the public at odds
with and in dread of the collective
governments.
John Linder's alternative
would save TRILLIONS and drive
our economy to new heights.
If implemented, April 15 would
be just another nice day and
even crooks and cheaters would
pay since paying taxes would
be done in the checkout line.
If you didn't want to pay
the Tax, then you would not
spend the money.
Investments in savings alone
would be a huge boon to our
economic engine as it once
was before governments started
taking more than they should,
leaving average Americans
with just enough to get by.
It would be wise for everyone
to consider this plan. It's
not too late. Yet.
-- H. D. Lott, Watkinsville
Ga.
8/22:
Getting feeling of inside
a museum during summer
Editor, the Forum:
What goes on in a fine art
museum during the dog days
of summer? I bet you picture
us with our feet up on the
desk enjoying a nice cold
lemonade, right?
You couldn't be more wrong.
The Steffan Thomas Museum
and Archives in Buckhead,
Ga. had no sooner wrapped
up its Fourth Annual Fish
Fry Festival and Fundraiser
than we set to work on "Collecting:
Art and Wine." Already
our Fall Fund Raising Committee
is at work lining up sponsors;
arranging for exciting guest
speakers; getting a commitment
from a jazz combo; and getting
some fabulous pieces of art
for the silent auction and
live auction.
Olde South Wine and Spirits
of Madison has agreed to be
the wine sponsor. So before
you know it you'll be receiving
your invitation.
When, you ask? Why on Thursday,
October 23, from 5:30 p.m.
to 9p.m.
Of course, we're not working
on only one thing at time.
Also in the pipeline is our
summer newsletter, our 2004
calendar, and as always work
on membership. We look to
see you at one of our functions
soon.
-- Lisa Conner, Grayson
8/19:
No Child Left Behind has problems
contained in it
Editor, the Forum:
When I attended school some
37 years ago 60 percent meant
you failed. Yet the headline
above appeared in a recent
Atlanta Journal Constitution
article regarding "Adequate
Yearly Progress" as required
by the federally mandated
"No Child Left Behind
NCLB) Act."
So are we failing? I think
not. Unlike those that wish
to blame computer glitches
and poor attendance in our
public schools for failure,
I believe we are dealing with
a faulty law, poor testing
and an inability to successfully
track transient students.
Unfortunately I fear the
recourse taken by many school
systems will be to force lower
performing students to drop
out, as a way to raise test
scores and improving attendance.
The real affect of this type
of action will be one that
will haunt us for years to
come. One that will cause
just the opposite of what
NCLB is supposed to accomplish.
One that may create a sub-culture
of illiteracy and a poorly
trained work force.
The problem, as I see it,
only worsens with future generations.
As this group of people would,
according to statistics, have
children at an earlier age,
earn less income per household,
have larger families, a higher
percentage of single parent
households, and even add to
welfare lines. The problem
becomes more compound when
you consider the children
of these people would more
likely be attending Title
1 Schools where they may be
forced to drop out in the
name of test scores.
Are there viable solutions?
I believe so. What it will
require is that we use testing
as a tool, not as a measure
of punishment to children
from lower income families.
Use it as a tool to recognize
change must be made, not just
an opportunity for students
to change schools but real
change, changes in our approach
to education, changes in our
attitudes and an understating
that all children do not learn
the same things in the same
time or in the same way.
I don't see where moving
children from a failing school
to one that is making the
cut now as being productive
for the school systems, or
helpful to students. All that
I see this doing is moving
the problem from one school
to another and possibly affecting
even more children. What we
must do is find the key, the
key to learning for individual
students. We must then apply
that knowledge, thru whatever
means possible to keep these
kids in school and provide
them with a true education,
one they can then use to end
the circle of poverty and
illiteracy.
A 60 percent progress rate
in Georgia, while commendable,
is unacceptable. We must strive
for a 100 percent success
rate. Since we are showing
improvement, we should continue
on our current path, making
necessary adjustments, before
bailing out of what some consider
failing schools.
We should scrap the provisions
of NCLB that are proving detrimental
to children and embrace those
proven to work.
-- Jim Dumond, Buford
8/15:
Concerning misreporting on
schools and hypocrisy
