Soda and the Health of a Nation

- watch the video before you read the comments -

The video is referring to the obesity tax suggested by NY Governor David Paterson .NPR also recently posted a segment about a Soda Tax.

The BIG issue that I can see is that sometimes we get dependent on taxes – like we have with tobacco. Why can’t we just make cigarettes illegal? Well, we are making a bundle in tax revenue. NJ makes $2.57.5 and RI makes $2.56 per pack.

What is possible is to utilize the taxation to limit usage but not factor the tax money in normal state budgets. Tax money can be utilized to run special programs or to supplement under-funded projects. But they would not be a primary source of revenue. That keeps us from being dependent on people drinking soda and sugary “fruit juices” so that we can have their tax money. While this is occurring and people are weaning off of sugar we can work to further regulate the contents of soda and fruit drinks.

I also wonder if the tax will actually cause people to change their behavior? I would think that the tax would have to be somewhat significant in order to change people’s thoughts and beliefs.

I know an opposition to this tax would be that it doesn’t have the same effect as smoking does, especially second hand smoking. But I would argue that it does. Although smoking causes the most deaths and health problems, obesity is second on the list (15.2% of Preventable deaths are because of obesity/overweight). Childhood obesity has also dramatically increase in the past years.  Additionally, health care costs go up for all when doctors and hospitals have to worry about obesity. This will become even more an issue if we head towards a universal(ish) health care system

This is by no means a silver bullet. Americans have to choose not to pay the extra money for the new taxed soda. Additionally, Americans have to make familial and personal health choices not to drink Soda to the degree that we do.

I personally, believe that we need further regulations on what food is approved by the FDA, but also realize that change comes slow and often within a process. But if we can work out a plan to tax Soda as a bridge to greater regulation of soda and sugary beverages then go for it.

My Thoughts on Health Care

As Christians, as we pursue understanding the issues concerning health care, we must consider our call towards justice and engaging with the alien, poor, and widow. I ask we consider the call of biblical justice and call to serve the poor. My friend recently passed on a verse that seems to be pertinent;

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; the wicked does not understand such concern. (Pro 29:7)

As I viewed the news on town hall meetings I wondered if the un/under- insured were actual represented? Or were they serving the food, at the nearby McDonald’s or checking someone out of Wal-Mart?  Implicit in this though is the need to differentiate between under/un-insured.  I grew up in a family that was the former. My mom worked several jobs for the county to make sure we had insurance – my dad was/is on disability –, but the coverage was minimal. My mom shifted coverage between myself in my siblings. Sometimes she perhaps did this illegally,  but this is how we had medical/dental care. The craftiness of my mother was practical, but her working various jobs and piecemeal “ing” health care for us took a toll on her soul.

Politically, we also need to refrain from overstating the idea of public health care – and both sides need to less hastily compare to Canada; we are different countries with different cultures, needs, etc. The option that Obama and others are trying to put on the table is a public option, not a complete “government overhaul”.  When we overstate what is occurring we get into irrelevant ideological battles which, lead us towards divisions rather than decisions. That being said, a public option may not be as dangerous as many may believe.  I think of the parcel industry and the relationship between USPS, FedEx, UPS, and other companies, the public USPS option works with the other options and individuals can choose.

As a young American who has only experienced health care in contemporary age,  here are some imperfect ideas I believe can be utilized with or without a public option;

-          Tort reform. Simply a good idea.Too much money is going to litigation and protection from lawsuits.

-          Adjusting payment of doctors, many doctors are paid hourly, so the more the work the more money they receive. Perhaps setting salaries will help doctors slow down, give good care and cut overall costs. Additionally, despite the worry of litigation driving up doctor’s bills, most doctors are still being paid inordinate amounts – at some hospitals/offices at the expense of RNs, PRNs, CNAs, etc.  Although it would be a massive cultural shift, perhaps we can reevaluate a doctor’s pay scale. Yes, they need to be making enough money to be in line with their schooling and expertise, but what that exactly looks like may still need to be reduced.

-          National health care providers should exist. The model of not being able to go out of one’s state to find health care seems a little silly. Also, the elimination of networks seems like it would provide greater access.

-          Assure essential elements of any health care program. This is sticky; it is complex. There are some things like in-vitro fertilization and abortion that have been on the table concerning this, but need to be taken off.  However, there should be simple basic elements – which I am not qualified to compile – that should be covered in any plan. The issue is not having basics, but what we define as basics – again I acknowledge this is complex.

-          Conversely, we need to put some reigns on Medicare. There are perhaps too many of our seniors using Medicare flippantly because they are in fear of medical problems rather than actually having medical problems and because they can do so. My sister is a CNA and I have a good friend who is an RN, I can’t believe some of the things converged by Medicare – Viagra, to name one. A larger societal (and very much Christian) value would be taking more personal responsibility for our elderly and then allowing Medicare to supplement.

-          An indirect, difficult, but impactful way to deal with health care is to make the FDA do its job and eliminate/reduce the unhealthy food and the ubiquitous fast food market. Everyone knows it is not good for them, but choices are not always made with the head, they are made with the stomach, with what is readily available, and with the norms of our society.

-          Reevaluate our ER policy, it sounds horrible to turn people away from service, but if someone goes to the ER with something that is diagnosed as a non-emergency they need to be sent home.  Otherwise the costs of ER services drive-up cost of health care for everyone. The fear is that people will then not go to doctors, but if we normalize going to family doctors, and other non-emergency services many would begin to attend those first.

We should promote just social systems, but if public systems are unjust we must, as Christians, STILL must provide care for those who need it.  Be it free clinics, alternative insurance agencies, etc. Not having s just political or governmental system does not we are exonerated from creating our own justice systems – not solely being just individuals, because the two are intertwined.

Obama? Pissed?

A facebook conversation sparked by someone being “pissed” at Obama winning the Nobel Prize  – I am Blackwasp19. If anyone wants to join in the conversation go ahead.

——

Blackwasp19 “pissed” ? why should it make you that mad? I disagree with the decision, but I don’t understand why it would “piss” anyone off.

2 Because other people deserved it way more…he hasn’t done anything to deserve such an honor.

3. obviously those who voted think he has done something to receive the award

4.  they don’t. They are just liberal punks who want to further a political waste of space.

5. he is the first US president since the millennium to not start a war?!

6. for real. i was PISSED.

Blackwasp19. I believe it was a presumptuous and premature; though he really has had a big impact on international politics, just look at approval rating of him in various countries. We can disagree with some of his policies and ideology, but we can’t argue that his presence hasn’t had and impact. But Danielle (or others) can you name who these others who … Read Moreshould have won? Again I argue he shouldn’t have won, but if we mention someone else should have won we need to have people and a good argument for them.

I also think to be “pissed” is a bit strong. Who are you “pissed” at? Obama? He didn’t give himself the award. The “liberals” in Oslo? If they are a waste of space then discredit the award and move on. Why does it make you pissed? Just because you disagree?

It is important that we aren’t killing conversation and cooperation by being rash. And that Love permeates our comments and conversations.

4. Is this kid kidding? Obama has done nothing for the US in his international politics except apologize for America, give us a week stand against Iran, and get our economy to the point where China said it was going to stop buying our debt cause we aren’t good for it. His impact = Negative.

As for someone who SHOULD’VE won, Greg Mortenson, has really made an effort in this field and should be commended over someone who has done nothing.

Pissed isn’t strong enough a word people should be outraged by the preferential treatment Obama has got without causing any significant results. Pissed that by giving Obama this award they are trying to secure his not sending troops to Afghanistan where they are needed.

People need to start looking at facts instead of how politically correct someone is when stating something they believe in. He didn’t deserve it, period.

As for him not starting a war….HES ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE ONE YEAR, and even though he promised to pull from Iraq and Afghanistan there are troops still there. … Read More

No one can blame Bush for this any longer…He is a year removed. The unemployment rate is up, taxes are up, and the stimulus bill hasn’t worked, AND Obama’s party controls both houses.

3. kids, no kidding.. just different opinions.. i appreciate debate and the passion for our nation

Blackwasp19

1. I said, twice, Obama shouldn’t have won – and that it was presumptuous and premature

2. “Kid” great way to end a conversation; neither you or are are a “kid”.

3. I actually agree that Greg Mortenson would have deserved it more, and also Hu Jia (but that would have strained international talk with China) or the Zimbabwean President.

4. The … Read Morefacts say Obama IS impacting international politics and diplomacy – again don’t forget that I don’t believe he should have won this year. Countries are reacting differently to the U.S. than they have in a long time. It is not so much that he is unilaterally different, but he provides and is trying to encourage much more multi-lateralism And he didn’t win the Nobel Prize for domestic policies it was for his impact on international politics. Just look at the international response after the election. People were celebrating for an American President’s election, that doesn’t happen all the time. That is something special. Obama’s impact is difficult to quantify, but we can qualify and see that it has been important – again in my mind not enough to win a Nobel Prize this year.

5. I believe Obama should put more troops in Afghanistan, if we are going to be there we need to do what we need to go and have our men and women come home. But, I do think he is still trying to take troops out – per his campaign promise. But it is difficult. But to push back, what did Bush do for abortion laws or really anything that he campaigned for? He got a Evangelical Christian bloc to trust him and vote for him, but then the Christians were hoodwinked because he did little in regards to “family values”. Yes he had republican ideas about taxes and government, but that isn’t what he ran on. All I am saying is that if we call out Obama – which we can – we must call our Bush and others for their incongruency.

6. Even if you disagree with some of the tactics of Obama and the Congress. I think it is a little bit of an overstatement to suggest that the democrats have made the economy worse. There are so many variables and a recession is the product of many factors and builds overtime before it hits – one could “blame” the treasury for not paying more … Read Moreattention to what was going on. One doesn’t have to agree with all the current tactics – I don’t – but regardless we have to allow things to take time.

7. No one in the conversation mentioned Bush, I know some might be, but that isn’t this conversation. But, since you brought t up. I think we treated bush really poorly, I didn’t agree with many of his decisions, but as my President I respected the man. My country elected him, and the war that everyone was flipping out about, was embarked upon because the American people wanted it to happen after 9-11.

7.. I doubt shee is actually “pissed” about this, many of you know here and realize she has already forgot about it. I agree with what you are saying Blackwasp19, no reason to be “pissed” at this. I think the Nobel Peace Prize has been on an obvious decline as last year Al Gore got it for a powerpoint he did on Global Warming, when one of the other … Read Moreindividuals up for it was a lady who had an “underground railroad” type situation in Nazi Germany that literally saved over 2,000 lives.

The problem here with looking at Obama’s approval rating in other countries is that doesn’t matter. Why are we as Americans trying to appease other countries that hate our guts?

Nobody can say that Dems or Republicans are the problem, they all are. Most of the politicians are just that, politicians, and are all liars anyways.

6. i know what you are thinking hahaha. i think she was just saying how she felt…not wanting to start a huge debate via facebook wall posts. we all think what we want to think. and we are all free to think what we want to think. the end. this doesnt have to go on anymore. sorry emily.

4. it would be nice to start a blog and continue, because this is were we get stronger as people. not hiding in groups of people who agree and smile and think the world will get better on it’s own. citizenship is the missing piece in american society. elected officials represent the people. that may be hard for some to admit, but it’s the truth. … Read Morepoliticians must have the support of the people. we have to attack the issues, get educated on processes and upend the forces that make our union less perfect.

Bible Banner or Banned Bible?

The students at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High had to give up a tradition that began after 9-11. The school’s football team had the tradition of starting the game by running through a banner with a verse of Christian scripture painted on it. The banner tradition is fairly common for high school football – we used to do it in little league football games – but the addition of a verse is generally something only seen a Christian high schools.

Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High is in northern Georgia, and the Bible belt extends that far. The context of this high school seems as if it is overflowing with southern Christian culture.  Thus, the removal of the banner has had a direct impact.

The issue started with a mother of a football player called the superintendent and suggested that someone might file a lawsuit over the banner if it isn’t removed. Catoosa County schools Superintendent Denia Reese – realizing the legal ramifications – agreed and called for the removal of the banner – and subsequent ones used by cheerleaders on the sidelines.

Despite my Christian faith and the frustration of the folks down in Northern Georgia, I believe this was actually the correct decision.

On the one hand, the school is making sure it isn’t in violation of the first amendment by promoting  establishment of religion. The reality is, having a public banner with a biblical verse on it suggests promotion. I am completely aware of southern culture and the fact that Christianity and scripture is utilized by a multiplicity of folks. For the folks down in Georgia this banner wasn’t proselytizing, it was expression who they were – save some students and families.  But the line is too fuzzy.

On the other hand, the school is promoting the free exercise of religion. Parents, fans (students or community members) are free to make banners with verses on them. Moreover, the football team is allowed to huddle and  have an optional prayer before the game. Faith is not being erased.

I would argue that there is a possible midpoint as far as the banner, and other public expressions of faith, is concerned. Religion is a set of beliefs, with a set of practices that are supposed to align and support those beliefs. Many scientists – in both the hard and soft sciences – are religiously connected. Some individuals are religiously connected to the United States and patriotism. Depending on the verse Christian scripture should be used, but it should be used beside Islamic scripture, Jewish scripture, non – (formal) religious quote etc. If that is done we are expressing the diversity of beliefs in American and not promoting any one of them. And acknowledging wisdom in various religious traditions.

and the Winner is . . . RIO!

COPENHAGEN – The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time.

Rio beat surprise finalist Madrid in the last round of voting.

Chicago was knocked out in the first round — in one of the most shocking defeats ever handed down by the International Olympic Committee — and Tokyo was eliminated in the second round.

Rio had played heavily on the fact that South America has never previously hosted the games, while Europe, Asia and North America have done so repeatedly. Now, only Africa and Antarctica remain as continents that have not been awarded an Olympics.

AP

Thoughts?