PrintAn Adult Nutrition Bill for the First Family
A week ago Michelle Obama's op-ed, "A Food Bill We Need" appeared in the Washington Post. Advocating the intervention of government in feeding children--and maybe even adults--not only in the nation's "food deserts" but throughout the country to prevent "an epidemic of childhood obesity," she set forth a weak argument
For years our nation has been struggling with an epidemic of childhood obesity. We've all heard the statistics: how one in three children in this country are either overweight or obese, with even higher rates among African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. We know that one in three kids will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives. We've seen the cost to our economy -- how we're spending almost $150 billion every year to treat obesity-related conditions. And we know that if we don't act now, those costs will just keep rising. n Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans.
Well, is there really "an epidemic of childhood obesity" or just among certain minorities she uhm, profiles? And whose fault is it if it occurs? Where are the parents? Never mind, the First Lady says so (or whoever wrote this under her imprimatur) and so it must be true. Right? Which leads to...
None of us wants that future for our children or our country. That's the idea behind "Let's Move!" -- a nationwide campaign started this year with a single and very ambitious goal: solving the problem of childhood obesity in a generation, so kids born today can reach adulthood at a healthy weight.
"Let's Move!" is helping parents get the tools they need to keep their families healthy and fit. It's helping grocery stores serve communities that don't have access to fresh foods. And it's finding new ways to help America's children stay physically active.
Oh my, what did generations of parents do before Michelle came along? Now she'll solve the entire problem in a generation. Wow! This further leads to...
The Child Nutrition Bill working its way through Congress has support from both Democrats and Republicans. This groundbreaking legislation will bring fundamental change to schools and improve the food options available to our children.
To start, the bill will make it easier for the tens of millions of children who participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program -- and many others who are eligible but not enrolled -- to get the nutritious meals they need to do their best.
As a former teacher let me tell you, the best place--nutritionally, psychologically, emotionally, educationally and just about anything else positive--for a child to get "the nutritious meals they need to do their best" is at home under parental supervision. Although most children eat lunch in school an increasing number are also receiving breakfast and even an early supper at school. No matter how pressed for time, these meals are the responsibilities of parents, not schools. When children eat lunch in school, as most do, the parent can either supply the lunch from home or supplement the school meal offerings. Allergies, ethnic and/or religious habits, taste preferences is the choice of the family, not the school, not the government. Supplying, cooking, serving, dining together are important elements that bind a family; they are essential components in building family ties. Certainly not all family members can eat together at home all the time but certainly parents should have a major voice in the type of food children eat outside the home. Does any parent really not know that raw fruits and vegetables are healthier than a steady dies of fries and pizza? And if this is what the parent feeds the child all day, every day, well, who is the government to stop it?
But Michelle Obama's real aim is to expand government and take over from stupid, incompetent parents, under the guise of doing good.
That taken care of, Michelle jetted off to Spain--on Air Force Two (hubby has Air Force One) with one of the First Daughters for a luxurious mother-daughter vacation. While there she lunched with the King of Spain who served
Andalusian-style chilled gazpacho soup, chargrilled turbot, veal escalopes with mustard, Oriental rice with sauteed mushrooms, a Mallorca-style vegetable ratatouille and sliced fruit with ice cream, accompanied by wines from the northern regions of Rueda and Rioja, the palace said.
Yum! Lots of food, nutritionally sound; alas! not found in the "food deserts" of America. But maybe soon the "food deserts" will bloom as the king graciously gifted Mrs. Obama with seeds for the White House garden.
Meanwhile the temporary bachelor president, making a big deal out of his birthday, celebrated the festive day without a cake while using the occasion as an excuse to dine and party at a round of fund raisers.
Maybe the two of them need their own private Adult Nutrition Bill. And leave the rest of us--and our tax $$$ alone.
