Letters to the editor from Feb. 14

<p>A diet for Lent</p><p>EDITOR: Feb. 13 marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period before Easter, when Christians would abstain from meat and dairy products in remembrance of Jesus' 40 days of fasting before launching his ministry.</p><p>Devout Christians who observe meatless Lent help reduce their risk of chronic disease, as well as environmental degradation and animal abuse. Dozens of medical reports have linked consumption of animal products with elevated risk of heart failure, stroke, cancer, and other killer diseases. A 2007 United Nations report named meat production as the largest source of greenhouse gases and water pollution. Undercover investigations have documented farm animals being beaten, caged, crowded, deprived, mutilated and shocked.</p><p>Lent offers a superb opportunity to honor Jesus' powerful message of compassion and love by adopting a meat-free diet for Lent and beyond. It's the diet mandated in Genesis I-29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.</p><p>Every supermarket offers a rich array of meat and dairy alternatives, as well as the more traditional vegetables, fruits, and grains. Entering “vegetarian” in your favorite search engine provides lots of meat replacement products, recipes, and transition tips.</p><p>Pedro Muniz, Petaluma </p><p>For Fair Tax</p><p>EDITOR: The Fair Tax as proposed in H.R.25 is being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Fair Tax will enable you to receive your entire paycheck instead of having deductions taken out for Social Security, Medicare and federal income tax withholding. It will eliminate the 72,000 page tax code that is riddled with loopholes. It will eliminate the IRS and the need to file a tax return. Under the Fair Tax everyone is taxed including those who obtain money illegally, yet no one is taxed on the necessities of life. H.R.25, the Fair Tax, includes all of this and more and yet is only 149 pages.</p><p>Congressman Mike Thompson represents District 5 in the U.S. House and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. Please call, email, and write him and inform him of your position on the Fair Tax.</p><p>Irving B. Welchons III, Charlotte, N.C.</p>