Comments on: Spending Less on Food, Spending More on Health Care

By: Fortuitous Bouncing « Man of Depravity

Fortuitous Bouncing « Man of Depravity — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:18:14 +0000

[...] Spending less on food and more on health care. [...]

By: xfree9

xfree9 — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:22:49 +0000

The past few months I've though deeply about the food my family eats. We live in an area where fresh produce is abundant and available relatively cheap from the Amish communities around us. I also grew up with a garden, and my mom canned food.

There's a cheap food store around us, and much of the food that is incredibly cheap is really unhealthy. For 99 cents you can get a small package of chicken nuggets, ketchup, and Nerds! Crazy unhealthy and non-nutritious. I feel sorry for those who actually purchase it. It breaks my heart that some people can't afford other things, but can afford this. And it breaks my heart that some people don't think twice about such choices. Then again, I make horrible food choices myself.

But then I realized that in a nation of abundance, where we have plenty of food, even though there is an abundance of really bad and unhealthy food, unhealthy and non-nutritious food is way better than starving to death. It may be "bad for us," but at a life expectancy of 78 years, as opposed to say, infant mortality or children dying from lack of good food, I'd say dying of cancer at age 40 because of bad food is a much better alternative.

Not to say we shouldn't make it better... and I really hope our food industry can evolve into a healthier industry than it is. But I think it's important to compare the alternative to the "bad abundance" that capitalism has given us.

By: quaker

quaker — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:16:22 +0000

this is true. we decide what we eat. We do not need the government to us. which is what will happen if they have to foot the bill, I mean when they foot the bill through us. The bill they are passing is siad to cost over 5 trillion. thats insane. I am sure there is better ways to deal with our health care problem without costing us more money. if its private make it work better. If it used to work better then look how it was done. I see lots of ways to do this. our governement sees power and holding onto votes. this is immoral and this site shouldnt push the governement bill at all in any form they have so far concieved. they should be pushing them to do it in the way obama promised from the start. what the government has. Which is the same as what we all have but in a much better form. HOW HARD IS THAT.

By: John Mulholland

John Mulholland — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:47:38 +0000

This was bound to come up. With the government providing health care, there will be diet controls. Do you really want to be told what you may or may not consume?

By: dougjantzi

dougjantzi — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:39:27 +0000

Excellent, Sheldon. I, too, noticed that no one seems to mention the contribution that our poor diet and sedentary lifestyle make toward rising healthcare costs. Keep up the good work!

By: MacArthur4

MacArthur4 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:33:30 +0000

“Is it not our personal responsibility”

Only if the government allows it . '0)

By: duhsciple

duhsciple — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:51:46 +0000

Is it not our personal responsibility to monitor what we eat?

By: JohnH54

JohnH54 — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:59:09 +0000

Cheap food is the culprit. It's allowed people to eat bigger quantities. Part of the problem there, however, is govt subsidies.

So the govt that will now complain that you are too fat will now complain that you are costing too much to take care of.

By: ZO Skin Health Offects Hydrating Cleanser 5oz by Mickmurp

ZO Skin Health Offects Hydrating Cleanser 5oz by Mickmurp — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:55:20 +0000

[...] Spending Less on Food, Spending More on Health Care – Sheldon C … [...]