Good-health incentive
The grocery tax--a tax on grocery-store foods--is currently 1.5 percent in Arkansas, but this tax rate should vary according to the type of food being purchased.
According to the State of Obesity, a think tank, the state has an adult obesity rate of 35.7 percent, tying for third worst in the country. The American Diabetes Association also found that 14.8 percent of adults in Arkansas have diabetes, a disease that is often a result of obesity and poor eating habits. Diabetes alone costs the state approximately $2.3 billion a year.
If Arkansans change their diets, diabetes could be reduced. The tax code could help change our eating habits. The state should place grocery-store foods into three categories. The first should be healthy foods such as fruits, veggies, and lean meats, and these items should bear no sales tax. The second category should be moderately healthy foods such as a standard frozen pizza or breakfast cereal (excluding low-calorie cereals), and these foods could be subject to a moderate sales tax. The last category should include unhealthy foods such as most red meats and dessert items, which could have a higher tax.
This new approach will give Arkansans an incentive to eat the right foods, which will also assist in efforts to reduce obesity and health costs. Arkansans will purchase more healthy foods now that they do not have to pay a sales tax on them.
JACK CAMPBELL
Conway
Billy Graham missed
I have read several letters to the editor from readers missing the daily Doonesbury comic strip. (My own husband was one of the loyal readers of that strip.) I, on the other hand, miss Billy Graham. My eyes still gravitate to page 2 of the Style section every day expecting to see his column with those words of wisdom in a way that only he could put forth.
What a brilliant and great man he was, and how he is missed. I bet that he and Barbara Bush are having quite the conversation right now.
SALLY GOSS
Little Rock
For real journalism
I know both Jon Woods and Randell Shelton personally and enjoyed the time I have spent with them. My family and I attended both of their weddings and had a blast. (My kids loved bouncing around with the Duggars.)
While I am not commenting on the merits of the trial, I do want to commend the Democrat-Gazette for the extensive coverage being devoted to the legal proceedings. In an age of declining appreciation for real journalism, it's wonderful to see our newspaper stay on top of real local news. Please keep your reporters busy, fair, and sharp. Thanks!
WESLEY ROBINSON
Rogers
Editorial on 04/27/2018