We should heed George's wisdom

Millard Grimes proudly states in his column of November 3 that "During the Obama administration, the national deficit has declined more than in any other period in the nation's history." That statement is true, but fails to mention that the Obama administration deficit declined from a record high of $1.4 trillion in 2009; therefore no surprise that the decline was so significant.

Mr. Grimes also failed to mention that the deficit for the year just ended was a $486 billion, and the national debt is at $18 trillion; we cannot continue indefinitely such unsustainable levels of deficit spending. In early 1795 President George Washington asked Congress for plans to retire the public debt and "prevent that progressive accumulation of debt which must ultimately endanger all Government" (from Ron Chernow's book "Alexander Hamilton"). Perhaps it is time for the President and the Congress to heed the warning of President Washington.

Pat Kenny

Columbus

Keep sports in perspective

I am writing as 1) a proud University of Georgia graduate (B.A. in history, 1983), 2) a recent graduate of Auburn (Ph.D. in public policy, 2014) and 3) a former Alabama football fan or Bammer.

With the disappointment over UGA football under Head Coach Mark Richt, the question must be raised as to whether we judge UGA only for its success and/or failure in athletics, or for its status as the nation's first public-chartered state university, with Athens as one of America's best college towns. The same applies for Auburn, where the family-type "experience" includes big-time football with its successes and current struggles under Head Coach Gus Malzahn.

Auburn and Georgia people do care about their schools, the quality of education that comes from them and the service they bring to their states, region, nation and world. On the other hand, Bammers seem to only care about their 15 to 200 football national championships, and view scholar-athletes as afterthoughts, which is why there seems to be an ongoing struggle dating back to the Bear Bryant days between Alabama's "sidewalk alumni" and its real alumni. I know. I was a Bammer while being in a family of Army brats at Fort Rucker.

There is room at the University of Georgia for both fans of the Dogs and those like me (an African American) who are fans of the school overall. Bulldog Nation should be concerned about the football team. You don't want the program to be an embarrassment. However, football fans need to appreciate UGA as an institution. No matter what happens to Coach Richt and his staff, UGA will go on just it has since 1785.

Herbert Walter Denmark Jr.

Auburn

It cuts both ways

On the topic of socialistic ideas and indoctrination of students:

As a teacher of 35 years, I can say some teachers do use their position to further personal agendas. Good teachers should present both sides of an issue without injecting personal beliefs. Socialism advocates "a theory or system of social organization which advocates vesting ownership, control, and distribution of capital, land, etc., to the community as a whole." Some programs were started as a result of socialist ideas -- public education, Social Security, Medicare, etc. Are these institutions successful today? LBJ added the S.S. funds to general spending; both political parties have abused our trust. S.S. calculated on the lifespan of 65 years, yet never adjusted, will fail. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid are riddled with fraud bordering on bankruptcy. The federal Department of Education can withhold funds for districts that "do not conform." Education is based on textbooks, which are only as good as their authors. Authors often alter facts to suit their agenda. The USA was designed to be a republic; the supreme power rests in the citizens and is exercised by elected representatives. The Federalist Papers clearly describe what our government should be according to our Constitution.

Submitting course outlines for approval is not a safeguard against indoctrination practices. We desperately need education reform. Many students can't read or comprehend above a 5th grade level. Problem solving, transference of knowledge, risk-taking behaviors or initiating "out of the box thinking" are neglected.

It is not only conservatives who disagree with theories being taught as fact. Bringing politics into any subject could be considered "indoctrination."

K. Green

Columbus

Cautionary tale

On October 28 I was T-boned by a 16-year-old boy leading five police vehicles in a police chase. In my short 28 years of living, I've been in a few bumps in a vehicle. I have never been hit so hard like I was on that Wednesday, and definitely never by a minor choosing to make unlawful choices and letting my "hippie car" (a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo hatchback) and my body pay for his actions.

Here I lie in a chair with pillows all around me, and I wonder if this child has any remorse for what he had done. He hit a wife, mother of two small boys, a student, a broken neck survivor, and much more. I am hurt, and although I won't go into any details, he has damaged an already damaged person, and perhaps he will read this and know that.

I hope this reaches the right audience, and maybe even companies and businesses that would consider creating programs for children and teens. I would only hope that this would perhaps help someone else avoid becoming hurt due to the same thing I have endured.

Jessica Kanson

Phenix City

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 1:13 PM with the headline "We should heed George's wisdom ."