Speak Out

Re The Star's editorial series on predatory lending:

After watching the well-oiled public relations machine for the payday loan industry spring into action, I felt it was time to let The Star know that its editorial series on this predatory business was overdue.

Tighter controls with fair and reasonable rates should be imposed on this industry. Our elected officials should be looking to reduce and cap the exorbitant rates payday lenders charge to those who can least afford them. This industry has demonstrated that it requires strict supervision and regulation.

After reading The Star's editorials, I am convinced that this group has earned the title of predatory lenders.

Dennis Hanson
Oxford

Minority faiths

Re " 'I Protest' " (Speak Out, July 10):

Letter writer Isaiah Ashe stated, "Whenever religion embraces politics, victims of minority faith or no faith at all often are disrespected by the dominant religion …"

When Jesus came and preached the only way, he didn't have clauses for us to choose other gods. He said He's the only way. Those disrespected will receive the same judgment right alongside those who worship false gods and reject the supremacy of Christ.

I'd like to encourage those who feel that "minority religions" are not getting their fair share of air time to re-examine their relationship with Christ and see if it is strong enough to fight the good fight and encourage those of "minority faiths" to embrace Christ, not lobby for their rights for car tags.

I'm not a fan of "Christian" marketing tactics at all, and even though God did say, "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them ... talk of them ... bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead ... shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates," His point was your heart.

As Christians, we should not create walls between us and those of "minority faiths." We should pray that God will draw them from the lie they are living. Also, if they are "victims", shouldn't we share with them the power that released us from being victims?

Jeff Hines
Anniston

Praise for A.G. Baggett

Re "A.G. Baggett — Dirty hands and a good heart ..." (George Smith column, July 9):

I have known A.G. Baggett and his family all of my life. I work for him now and know him well enough to know that he is not one to "blow his own horn." What he probably didn't tell you is that he has served on the Civil Service Board since 1980. I thought readers might like to know that he takes his civic duties seriously and has missed only about two meetings since I've worked for the board (12 years).

Also, my son attends Jacksonville Christian Academy, and many times I have seen A.G.'s truck on campus. I know that whatever he is working on, it will "get done right." He is one of the most honest, selfless and hardworking men I have known, and I think the world of him and his family.

Pamela Mason
clerk, Jacksonville Civil Service Board
Anniston

Unqualified voters

Many Americans feel there is something wrong with how we select people to represent us in government. I believe they are right. My solution is one that I do not expect to happen because the political will does not exist now, and it probably never will.

We must repeal the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Before that federal law was passed, states were allowed to exercise their sovereign right to qualify individuals who presented themselves for the privilege of voting. Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution is it stated that any individual has a right to vote. There are amendments to our Constitution that give certain groups the right to vote, but no individual within that group is given that right.

If we are serious about putting this country back on the right course, we must put the most intelligent people in the driver's seat. The way to do this is to require each individual who registers to vote to take the standard I.Q. test. If a person can't score at least 100, the average for Americans, he should not be allowed to vote. If he has not scored at least 80 on the logical reasoning portion of the test, he should not be allowed to vote. If he can't score at least 80 on the analogies portion of the test (so he will know the difference between apples and oranges), he should not be allowed to vote.

This will not discriminate against any race or gender, and it will put our nation into good hands again.

Bill DuBose
Talladega