The anti-vaccination movement is gaining ground, especially in Texas.
That's the conclusion of an article published Monday on the Washington Post's website. The newspaper said one factor is President Donald Trump's apparent willingness to consider claims that vaccines cause autism in children.
In Texas, more and more lawmakers are giving the matter some consideration as well. At a recent meeting in San Antonio, the Texans for Vaccine Choice said there are now 30 legislators on their side, up from just two in the last session.
Critics of the movement say it is based on discredited research and that there is no evidence vaccinations have anything to do with autism. They also say that as more and more parents choose not to have their children vaccinated, other children are put at risk and there is the possibility that measles, polio and other diseases will make a major comeback. They point to recent outbreaks of measles and whooping cough as evidence.
Those who embrace the idea that vaccinations cause autism say parents should have the ultimate decision on whether their children should be immunized.
We want to know what you think. Are you concerned about the supposed link between vaccinations and autism? Or is the idea discredited pseudo-science and a danger to public health?
Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, March 1. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.
Last Week: Online Sales Tax
Our question last week was about states taxing purchases made over the Internet. Should online purchases be subject to state sales tax? Or should online sales be tax-free?
As long as we have a sales tax, all online purchases, as well as off line, should be taxed, state and local. 1. Our government, you and I, has to have revenue to provide the services, schools, police, fire, streets, etc. you and I have demanded we get. Taxes are the only source of this revenue.-G.L., Texarkana, Texas
From www.Facebook.com/texarkanagazette
- Local business is at a disadvantage when sales tax is not assessed on items purchased via online sales. I don't want to pay taxes period, however, to encourage businesses to locate in Arkansas their products should not have an extra charge for taxes when non-Arkansas businesses do not. The procedure of not requiring Cyber businesses to charge and collect taxes places locally owned/operated businesses at a disadvantage.
- In my case if I shop in a store, the store will be in Texas and my taxes will go to Texas not Arkansas where I live.
- If you shop online then the tax should go to Arkansas. However, I lived in Arkansas for 25 years and I think its people are unfairly taxed, especially as in food.
- No, this will only limit our access to certain items that aren't available in Arkansas. It will stop online buying when you have to pay tax and shipping.
- 95% or better of what I buy online from Amazon is a) not readily available here and b) already being taxed.
- Totally against it but what can you do?
- No