LETTERS

Good news does exist

Great news: The European economic crisis is over. The New York Times has been tracking the euro zone’s industrial output and the stabilizing ratio of European debt over gross domestic product. Europe has been producing more than experts predicted.

And here is more good news. The Chinese have finished renovating their stock-market indices by now. The beginning of the Chinese New Year and the gathering of the Chinese parliament marked the right time to change Hong Kong’s outdated trading method. The Chinese are struggling to get their new systems up to speed, but their economy still met the 7.5 percent growth forecast for 2014, according to Bloomberg News.

Meanwhile, back here in the states, we have finally recovered from the sour economy of this century’s first decade.

These really are the good old days,aren’t they? To everything there is a season, right?

I think everyone can admit, at least in secret, that our economy is finally on the right track. We must all savor the fruits of this prosperity, for some Americans will soon elect to steer our nation in the opposite direction. Too bad.

Here is some more good news! Unemployment in Arkansas has recently diminished one-tenth of a percent, according to Hola Arkansas. GENE MASON Jacksonville

Procrastination’s price

As a retired schoolteacher, I agree with Abigail Persson’s letter about homework.

In 24 years of teaching, I never assigned homework. Those who procrastinated were the only ones who had homework, and that’s a choice they made.

BARBARA L. PHILLIPS Bentonville

An outpouring of love

On Feb. 19th we lost our home, possessions and pets to a devastating fire, but thanks go to the four fire departments which responded and kept the fire from spreading and destroying other homes.

The fire was overwhelming, but even more overwhelming was the outpouring of love, prayers, generosity and compassion from the people of Northwest Arkansas.

From family, friends, neighbors both known and unknown, and local churches, we received much to help us start to rebuild. Our hearts are filled with gratitude, humility and love for the people here.

Thank you.

RANDY and MILLIE SMITH Fayetteville

Thank heroic carriers

I have been a college educator for 35 years. Once when I noticed a student repeatedly dozing in class, I visited with her privately to find out what was really going on.

I learned that she was a single mother of three small children. Her husband had abandoned the family and she had no idea where he was. He had been abusive, and it escalated when she began attending college classes. Then he was gone.

Tearfully, she explained she was receiving some government assistance even though she disliked having to utilize it. In addition, determined to make a better life for her children, she took a newspaper route to help pay the bills.

This mother bundled up the sleeping children and took them with her as she picked up her newspapers, prepared them for delivery, hauled them to her car, and drove her route. Then it was back home, wake, feed and dress the children, prepare herself for the day, take the children to the babysitter’s house, and go to classes. (She had cleverly made an arrangement to trade babysitting hours with another woman.)

I also remember another college student, a devoted husband and father with a full-time, physically demanding 3-11 job in a factory. He also delivered newspapers before attending classes.

I am hoping you will always remember that your carrier may possibly have a life story similar to these heroic people. And I hope you will call your circulation office, obtain your carrier’s address, and mail them a cash thank you gift. Do not wait until Christmas.

JUDY HORNE Farmington

Well, that’s settled …

Enough! All those who are in favor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette raising its subscription price so we can have a paper that doesn’t curl, please stand up.

Thought so.

JUDITH JONES Hot Springs Village

Don’t look at receipts

I finally got to go to the Wal-Mart for medicine. I haven’t gone there for a couple of months due to the weather and being homebound. But I had two prescriptions to get and I didn’t remember what they were, so I thought I’d better find out myself before paying for them. While there, I got another two items that you had to pay taxes on. It came to $13.44. I asked why. Well, would you believe they charged 9 percent tax?

I thought tax was 7.5 cents on the dollar. How did that slip by me?

My daughter tells me that when buying hamburgers for us at McDonald’s, she pays a lot more and even more when it’s takeout. Wow! I’m eating big time now when I have me a Big Mac.

Folks say let the kids buy for me and don’t look at the receipts. Then my blood pressure won’t go up. I thought it was good advice and I’d pass it along. MARTHA McHUGHES Paron

Great job on delivery

My paper carrier must be a brother to the delivery person in Holiday Island. I live in Gravel Ridge, in the annexed portion of Sherwood. We must have gotten one of the best newspaper delivery persons in Pulaski County.

My newspaper is always a step away from my front porch or at least only three steps away. It’s there rain or shine, sleet or snow, and it’s not only within reach, it’s within sight.

March 3rd and 4th, I didn’t expect to see my paper because the roads were so bad, but there it was both days. Admittedly it was later than usual, but it did arrive. That Monday it arrived at 3 p.m. instead of the normal 5:30 or 6 a.m.

I was so surprised and happy that I received my paper, I called my carrier to thank him. His response was, “Well, it’s my job.” Then he apologized that it would be late Tuesday too.

Great job and thank you!

JOYCE HOOVER Sherwood