Regarding the Jan. 10 editorial “Where do Americans want to live? The U-Haul index proves a point.”:
The “U-Haul index” does not prove a point, or at least the point the Editorial Board makes. Yes, people are moving from more expensive to less expensive areas, but why are those areas more expensive? Many factors play into the calculation, but one is obvious and significant: Real estate is more expensive where people want to live. Tax rates by themselves don’t make real estate expensive; ultimately, desirability does.
A simple comparison shows that housing vacancies are higher in the destinations than in the places people are leaving (e.g., vacancy rates of 15 percent in Florida and 8 percent in Massachusetts). And, as expected, prices are lower in the destinations. That is how markets work; people leave more desirable places for less desirable places where they can afford real estate.
In other words, the exact opposite of what the editorial argues.
Bill Cusmano, Arlington
How the food pyramid was built
Regarding the Jan. 8 front-page article “New dietary advice favors whole milk and red meat”:
The new dietary guidelines published by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Agriculture Department contain important points: Avoid packaged and prepared foods, and decrease salt and sugar. As a pediatrician, I would suggest that this is especially important for infants, children and adolescents, recognizing the increased incidence of obesity in this country. What is missing from the report is how these recommendations play out in food deserts. How do low-income Americans access fresh foods and avoid packaged foods?
Larrie Greenberg, Potomac
Since the Senate recommended reduced meat consumption in 1977’s Dietary Goals for the United States, the meat and dairy lobbies have been battling nutritionists and other health professionals for the dietary soul of the American people. In the just-issued Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the meat and dairy lobbies won, with the misguided support of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since the 1977 report, numerous other studies have established associations between consumption of meat and dairy products and elevated incidences of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and certain types of cancer.
Moreover, if Kennedy is concerned about processed foods, his touting of meat and dairy products is misplaced, as meat and dairy are plant foods that have been highly processed by the digestive tracts of pigs and cows.
Will Putzler, Washington
“The problem with national dietary guidelines” [editorial, Jan. 10] is not that they flip-flop with the politics of the moment. The problem is that they exist at all. Where in the Constitution is the U.S. government authorized to advise Americans on their dining choices?
James Huffman, Bozeman, Montana
The writer is a professor and dean emeritus at Lewis & Clark Law School.
Let the sunshine in
The Jan. 9 editorial “Large investors aren’t the villains of the housing problem” condemned President Donald Trump’s proposed ban on firms such as Blackstone buying single-family homes.
I have another way of making housing more affordable for the struggling middle class: reestablishing the just-expired federal tax credit on solar energy while upping the ante from 30 percent to 40 percent. Better yet would be a presidential mandate that solar energy be an added feature in every new home. Getting as many homes and businesses as possible on solar would greatly reduce electric bills, which are skyrocketing. My in-laws in Central Maryland were recently charged $865. And thanks to the surging demand of artificial intelligence, there’s no relief in sight.
Imagine having a tiny electric bill and even an electric car that gets its charge from the home solar system, thus eliminating the monthly gasoline expense as well. Trump touted his 2025 budget as the One Big Beautiful Bill. He should promote every family having a low-interest “one big beautiful bill” of their own that encompasses electricity costs, possible car payments and other utility bills while eliminating one’s monthly gasoline expense. This could be baked into the cost of the low-interest mortgages set to come online in mid-May, when Trump has promised to lower interest rates with a new Federal Reserve chair. That would be beautiful indeed.
Eugene R. Dunn, Glen Burnie
Get outside — and get outside yourself
Following the Dec. 7 news article “The loneliest Americans, according to a survey of 3,000 adults,” Post Opinions asked readers: “Have you or someone you know found an antidote to loneliness?” Here are some of the responses.
I have found that the best cure for loneliness is to go hiking in the woods with other people. Not only do we get a chance to individually communicate with nature, a very fulfilling experience, but we also get to share that feeling with the other hikers.
Carol Akawie, Walnut Creek, California
Today’s busy world can really feel impersonal and lonely. So when someone comes to my mind, I “practice” trying to connect to that person by phone, text or email, or, better yet, in person. So many times, this small effort to touch base with others encourages me. Loneliness loses its foothold.
Becky Lee, Tacoma, Washington
At the age of 76, I find myself completely alone in the world. All my friends and family are deceased. (Clearly I have a knack for picking people to love who will die before I do.) Although I am alone, I am happy, self-sustaining, independent and capable of shifting my internal state by merely thinking the words “I love you” to myself. Thus, I am never lonely and rarely sad about the past or what is missing. This is a great gift and quite freeing.
Nancy Moynihan, Atlanta
Since my retirement, I have gotten active in a relatively progressive Presbyterian church of modest size, where opportunities to serve and interact with other people of goodwill are virtually limitless. We care for one another both within our congregation and in the community at large. I rarely feel lonely.
Thomas Engle, Ellicott City
The cure for loneliness? Ignore your mother. Years ago, I was told, “Don’t talk to strangers.” As an 85-year-old, I talk to as many strangers as possible.
An unfortunate by-product of aging is the loss of longtime friends. One way to combat this is engaging with those we see in a setting where we formerly were alone. So, just saying “good morning” to the person on the next exercise machine at the gym. We have to remember the myriad connections we had before retirement and how often we greeted one another in a casual way. Joining a group and sharing ideas certainly helps. I communicate with a small collection of frequent letter writers to The Post. Walkers, golf buddies — any group of people participating in a recurrent activity helps tremendously.
Barry H. Epstein, Silver Spring
Rescue a dog.
Holly Olson, Mayfield, New York
Just four legs, please
Michael J. Coren’s Jan. 13 Climate Coach column, “Why you should consider a jumping spider as your next pet,” jumped the shark. You may want arachnids and insects as your pets, but they don’t want to be your pets.
These misunderstood beings, critical to healthy ecosystems, deserve our respect, not to be jammed into tiny tanks and cages for our amusement. They can’t yelp, but these animals are easily harmed when handled. Treating them as starter pets disregards their complex biological requirements. They do not want to be your friend, they want to be left alone.
Countless dogs and cats in shelters are dying for a home. If you’re ready to make a lifelong commitment, please adopt (never shop).
Michelle Davis, Englewood, Florida
Following Sarah Fletcher’s Jan. 4 Sunday Opinion essay, “The magic has gone out of flirting. Maybe this infamous book had a point.,” Post Opinions wants to know: What should flirting look like in 2026? Send us your response, and it might be published as a letter to the editor. wapo.st/flirting
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