The read

From my Sunday column in the Athens Banner-Herald ...

Compounding problems is the lack of desire to bring about real change. Last session, the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation that would have slashed the state capital gains tax, despite volumes of statistical evidence suggesting such a move would reward more than 90 percent of the benefits to the 5 percent of wealthiest Georgians, negatively affect the state's budget during an ongoing fiscal crisis and provide little to no real economic stimulus.

Gov. Sonny Perdue wisely vetoed the bill, but the eagerness of so many in Atlanta to back such a foolish and costly measure should give pause.

If the same politicians are sent back to Atlanta - year after year without question in many cases - and the majority of the state's citizens are calling for sensible tax reform, why aren't they getting serious about actually doing the work of their constituents?