A DREAM SEQUENCE: I live in New York City and it is March 12, 2013. I wake up and can't decide what country I am living in - am I in Russia? Today is the day Mayor Bloomberg has said I can no longer buy a plus 16 oz. sweet drink in a number of establishments - another infringement of a government interfering with my personal daily life choices.
BACK TO REALITY: First of all, how did the Mayor determine where these restrictions would take place? He targeted movie theaters and stadium concession stands, but not vending machines, newsstands, and 7-11 type stores(where I think most of the large drinks would be sold). How much is it going to cost the taxpayer for this selective enforcement?
Secondly, the garbage industry will benefit because there will be more trash generated. Instead of ordering 1 - 32 oz. drink, customers will order 2 - 16 oz. drinks therefore doubling the amount of containers thrown away.
Thirdly, Did the mayor do the research on diet drinks vs. drinks with sugar? Diet drinks are not part of this proposed ban. There is evidence that regular use of artificial sweeteners may promote weight gain. After an 8 year study in San Antonio, TX, those who drank drinks with artificial sweeteners were more likely to have gained weight than those who didn't drink "diet" drinks.
The purpose of this intrusive "law" is to cut down on obesity. They say large drinks may be the cause. But do we know if the people who are consuming these oversize drinks are washing down the 3 or 4 Big Macs they've just eaten? Is the next step to ban the number of burgers you can order at a burger joint or the number of slices of pizza you can order at a pizza parlor?
The meaning of the word intrude is "to force upon others without being asked or welcomed". At what level does this regulatory intrusiveness stop? We are being subjected to superfluous and self-aggrandizing laws. In the future will the 'Kitchen Police' come to my home to check out my food supply?
We cannot be our brothers' keepers. It is time for people to take responsibility and become aware of how their food choices can negatively affect their health. We do not need or want the government governing every aspect of everything we do. Start educating kids about the importance of nutrition the minute they start school and continue to reinforce this theme for the next 12 years. Will such a program work? I don't know. But I would favor education over legislation
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
??OBAMAGATE??
In 1972 Richard Nixon was re-elected by a landslide over George McGovern. Nixon won majorities in 49 states. In 1973 at the start of his 2nd term, a cover-up buzz began swirling around Washington. Two former Nixon aides, Gordon Liddy and James McCord, are convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping (January 30th). Crimes were committed but there were no injuries, no deaths, national security was not compromised, no distractive sex issue, and the election outcome was not affected, yet the cover-up buzz grew louder.
In the ensuing months it became clear there was a cover-up, yet President Nixon continued to deny any knowledge or involvement. The final blow came when Presidential Appointments Secretary Alexander Butterfield reveals that the President had recorded all conversations and telephone calls in his offices. The buzz turned into a roar and the entire episode collapsed after the discovery of the 18 minute gap in the tapes.
February 6, 1974 - The House of Representatives passed Resolution 803 by 410 - 4 to authorize the Judiciary Committee to consider impeachment proceedings against President Nixon.
July 28, 1974 - The Judiciary Committee approves Obstruction of Justice Article to impeach President Nixon by a vote of 27 - 11 (21Democrats, 6 Repblicans vote yes).
August 9, 1974 - President Nixon becomes the first President to resign. Whether the House and Senate would have successfully impeached the President is unknown (a 2/3 majority is required), but the President must have considered it probable that there were sufficient Republican "yes" votes.
Today America is faced with a crisis with similar overtones. The American Embassy in Benghazi was attacked on 9/11. Unlike Watergate there were deaths, injuries, a sex scandal, classified document exposure, property damage, possible affected election results and cover-up. Do we dare postulate "OBAMAGATE"? Will the Democrats like the Watergate Republicans willingly empower a select committee to get honest answers and all the facts? which currently seem to me very murky.
If President Nixon would have admitted to knowing about Watergate he might have been forgiven and completed his 2nd term. President Obama's explanation of the Benghazi attack on 9/11 is going to be more difficult and a trip to a Las Vegas fundraiser on 9/12 certainly doesn't help.
God Bless America
In the ensuing months it became clear there was a cover-up, yet President Nixon continued to deny any knowledge or involvement. The final blow came when Presidential Appointments Secretary Alexander Butterfield reveals that the President had recorded all conversations and telephone calls in his offices. The buzz turned into a roar and the entire episode collapsed after the discovery of the 18 minute gap in the tapes.
February 6, 1974 - The House of Representatives passed Resolution 803 by 410 - 4 to authorize the Judiciary Committee to consider impeachment proceedings against President Nixon.
July 28, 1974 - The Judiciary Committee approves Obstruction of Justice Article to impeach President Nixon by a vote of 27 - 11 (21Democrats, 6 Repblicans vote yes).
August 9, 1974 - President Nixon becomes the first President to resign. Whether the House and Senate would have successfully impeached the President is unknown (a 2/3 majority is required), but the President must have considered it probable that there were sufficient Republican "yes" votes.
Today America is faced with a crisis with similar overtones. The American Embassy in Benghazi was attacked on 9/11. Unlike Watergate there were deaths, injuries, a sex scandal, classified document exposure, property damage, possible affected election results and cover-up. Do we dare postulate "OBAMAGATE"? Will the Democrats like the Watergate Republicans willingly empower a select committee to get honest answers and all the facts? which currently seem to me very murky.
If President Nixon would have admitted to knowing about Watergate he might have been forgiven and completed his 2nd term. President Obama's explanation of the Benghazi attack on 9/11 is going to be more difficult and a trip to a Las Vegas fundraiser on 9/12 certainly doesn't help.
God Bless America
Thursday, November 15, 2012
AARP
I see AARP advertising health care plans to senior citizens. I would hope that the Medicare eligible would select any other health insurance plan - not AARP's plan.
In order to represent the total membership of AARP, they should not have any political affiliations. But they chose to back Obamacare. Many people dropped their membership because AARP embraced this unpopular and unproven plan. Seniors - you got duped. AARP should stay neutral if they want to represent all their members.
Now that we are entering the implementation phase of Obamacare, all of the items that were buried in the 2000 page document are coming to light. The bottom line is that in the years to come you will be paying more money for your health care and your expectation of the same care as in the past will be seriously threatened.
Shame on you AARP for promoting a plan with so many undisclosed details and touting it as an improvement over our current health care system.
In order to represent the total membership of AARP, they should not have any political affiliations. But they chose to back Obamacare. Many people dropped their membership because AARP embraced this unpopular and unproven plan. Seniors - you got duped. AARP should stay neutral if they want to represent all their members.
Now that we are entering the implementation phase of Obamacare, all of the items that were buried in the 2000 page document are coming to light. The bottom line is that in the years to come you will be paying more money for your health care and your expectation of the same care as in the past will be seriously threatened.
Shame on you AARP for promoting a plan with so many undisclosed details and touting it as an improvement over our current health care system.
Friday, November 9, 2012
We Need A Leader
Where oh where is Ronald Reagan --- remember when he had the support of an entire nation - winning every state except Massachusetts? He was a President who put this country first - he did not kowtow to all our enemies.
Election is over - stock market is down over 300 hundred points. There is doubt about the future ---Will taxes go up in all sectors ( dividends and capital gains tax rate of 15% thanks to George Bush will expire in January-may go up to 20-30%)? Uncertainty about the taxes and the cost of Obamacare are causing employers to shift the work force from full time employees to part time employees. Companies are not going to create new career type jobs.
These are just a few of the issues that were kept low key by the mass media before the election. The campaign is now over; the media has their man in for four more years. Issues that could have hurt Obama will NOW miraculously and finally become front page and prime time news.
Election is over - stock market is down over 300 hundred points. There is doubt about the future ---Will taxes go up in all sectors ( dividends and capital gains tax rate of 15% thanks to George Bush will expire in January-may go up to 20-30%)? Uncertainty about the taxes and the cost of Obamacare are causing employers to shift the work force from full time employees to part time employees. Companies are not going to create new career type jobs.
These are just a few of the issues that were kept low key by the mass media before the election. The campaign is now over; the media has their man in for four more years. Issues that could have hurt Obama will NOW miraculously and finally become front page and prime time news.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)