Foreign nations should defray cost of open borders
If people want open walls on the borders, I would suggest that we insist other countries contribute to our welfare system to support their people who emigrate. That would show goodwill on all sides. The problem is the one-sidedness of the situation. They are taking money from our needy people, who in all probability worked and contributed to social programs.
MICHELE BARNES, MARIETTA
Valid reasons for English as official language
Senate Resolution 577, a constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of government operations, is not— as claimed in a Feb. 11 editorial— “English only” or somehow anti-business.
There are common-sense exceptions for the state and its political subdivisions. They include the teaching of languages other than English, the promotion of diplomacy, trade, commerce and tourism with other languages and protection of the rights of crime victims and criminal defendants if other language usage is required.
By the way, Georgia has an official English-in-government statute, but it contains loopholes that would be closed with this amendment. For one example, the state Department of Driver Services administers the permanent resident driver’s license test in 11 foreign languages. This undermines public safety, since all road signage is in English — and it must end.
This amendment, subject to ratification by a statewide referendum if passed by the legislature, would enhance better communication and save significant taxpayer money by reducing burdensome translation costs. That’s a main reason why Gov. Nathan Deal, when he served in Congress, supported legislation stipulating English as the official language of government. And who dares to accuse him of being anti-business?
STEPHEN GUSCHOV, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRO ENGLISH, WASHINGTON, D.C.
‘Dreamers’ locked into a corner
A letter writer (“How many dreamers play by the rules?” Readers Write, Feb. 12) wonders if the Dreamers have tried to become citizens. Without permanent residency, they are not eligible to apply for citizenship. They are undocumented residents brought here by their parents. The USCIS website has information on applying for permanent residency and citizenship. A path to citizenship for these young people would include giving them a path to permanent residency – something that should be simple enough for our Congress to do.
FAYE HARDIMAN, TUCKER
Congress declares war, not Trump
As our president argues about whose button is bigger and North and South Korea find common ground in time for the Winter Olympics, I find myself experiencing a sense of helplessness I haven’t experienced for a long time. Members of Congress need to act now to protect the future of our country for our children. Speak out and let the president know that the decision to go to war lies with Congress; that diplomacy, not nuclear bombs, is the first and best option to preventing war; and that no one person should have the power to decide the fate of the world by controlling our nuclear arsenal. We do not yet live in a dictatorship, and Congress needs to assert its authority and protect the hard-won peace we have. What will you say when your children or grandchildren ask, “What did you do?”
DENNIS BAUER, ATLANTA
