[ Editor’s Note: There’s a lot going on here. Let me first start by explaining “ NIMBY- ing” — it’s an

We may have high sales taxes, but that’s because no one here in Arkansas want to pay property or income taxes. Further, the argument against sales taxes should be that they are regressive and force people in poverty to pay the same amount of taxes as those in the top 1% of incomes. On the topic of inflation: it is inevitable due to the prior failed presidential administration and them messing with the Federal Reserve’s interest rate. I will not deny that inflation is occurring, but there are things we can do for people who are hurting, such as giving homeless and disabled folks a place to stay (instead of NIMBY-ing them out of the public eye), increasing aid and volunteering at food shelters, and donating to social causes around town. There are things we can do to mitigate the high sales tax and inflation here in Arkansas, and it starts with those of us who are fortunate enough to have a little disposable income to help those in need.

acronym for “ Not In My Back Yard” and it’s used like this: “ We need more prisons!”

“ Well, let’s build one in this city.” No, not here! Somewhere else!” Although I will say, you’re starting to see a lot less of the NIMBY thing because people have begun to realize that new facilities, even unpopular ones like prisons and industrial parks mean more jobs, more revenue and a better community. Second off, the government has to have money to operaate. You might not like how the gov­

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ernment chooses to spend that money, but we’ve elected people to make those decisions, so if you don’t like it, you can vote against those people.

Third, taxes are completely necessary. I hate them, you hate them, we all hate them, but without them, we can’t build roads, fund schools, have fire and police protection, etc. Fourth, you’re absolutely right about sales tax being a necessary evil. With lower sales tax, you’re going to have higher property taxes or income taxes. There’s actually a push right now to get rid of the State Income Tax, which sounds great until you think about how the government is going to make up for all of that lost revenue. Yep, you guessed it… by raising other kinds of taxes, including taxes on gas, food, real estate, and even higher sales taxes. I do agree 100% with you that those that have enough or more than enough need to step up and help those in need. It is absolutely mindboggling that here in 2024 ( nearly 2025) that there are people right here in our own community who do not have food to eat or a place to live.

We can do better!]