Racism? Or different interests?

[basas]

<<White Atlanta Suburbs Push for Secession

ATLANTA Jan 23, 2007 (AP)— A potentially explosive dispute in the City Too Busy to Hate is taking shape over a proposal to break Fulton County in two and split off Atlanta's predominantly white, affluent suburbs to the north from some of the metropolitan area's poorest, black neighborhoods.

Legislation that would allow the suburbs to form their own county, to be called Milton County, was introduced by members of the Georgia Legislature's Republican majority earlier this month.

Supporters say it is a quest for more responsive government in a county with a population greater than that of six states. Opponents say the measure is racially motivated and will pit white against black, rich against poor

..........>>

Full article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2816459

What do you think?

 

[CheshireVal]

I think splitting Fulton County up kind of makes sense. While I don't think it is racially motivated, I do agree that North Fulton is a world apart from South Fulton, both in distance and wealth.

Edited to add: that's the most inflammatory headline I've ever seen, btw.

 

[jspahn]

Personally, I'd love for this to happen. I live in "north fulton" (sandy springs/roswell area) and it really does irritate me that north fulton pays so much in taxes yet most of the money gets funneled back into the "city"

And really, if as a county we are bigger than 8 states (population-wsie) then it seems to me breaking it up would definitely help serve the interests of the people better. and i mean ALL people.

And if "south fulton" and the "city" are worried about the loss of money coming from all the people in North Fulton, then they need to find other solutions.
Maybe tax the heck out of cigarettes. I'm orginally from NY and I'll tell you what, there are so many people who smoke down here that if georgia upped the tax on cigarettes the way NY did there would be a lot of extra money to be divided up among county/city governments.

 

[lindalinda]

I dont know the specifics of the situation, but anytime you split off an area that has a significantly higher income level, you are going to have issues. You are essentially taking the tax base, and insuring it stays in the wealthier areas. Then the predominatley poorer areas loses tax money. Seems like there might be a fairer way to do it.

 

[korbbec]

I have nothing useful to say.

Here are my non-useful thoughts: There was a Veronica Mars episode about this exact same thing last season- The Have vs The Have Nots.

Ok bye.

 

[oxfordcircus]

Imagine the cities that will follow suit, even if this isn't successful.