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Socialists Tell Americans to Eat Their Veggies   

12|21|10

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“The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta said people in America are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. They want to give all the power to the federal government to force you to eat more fruits and vegetables. … This is socialism of the highest order!” - Rep. Paul Broun, Georgia

Over at Slate, Dahlia Lithwick takes a humorous look at Republicans' fear of vegetables, particularly the idiotic idea that the government will force people to eat vegetables if we don’t nip socialism in the bud.

Lithwick speculates that conservatives’ fear of vegetables (which is somewhat ironic, given all the lip service they pay to “the American farmer”) stems from their personal dislike of vegetables and their latent fear of women, especially their mothers. And while she has a lot of fun lampooning those who equate the government’s encouragement of healthy eating with a socialist takeover, she doesn’t mention another reason conservatives’ arguments are ridiculous: The government already encourages Americans to eat certain foods by subsidizing crops.

Those crops are, of course, corn and soy, which most often take the form of junk food (including soda) and cheap meat—in other words, the foods that are killing us (and forcing up our healthcare bills). You wouldn’t think this bears repeating at this point, but the only reason junk food is relatively cheap in comparison to fresh fruits and vegetables is that the government subsidizes it.

So here's my question for every politician who has ever riled up an audience with the notion that liberals will “force” people to eat their vegetables: Why is it okay to encourage people to buy junk food if it’s not okay to encourage them to eat vegetables? And if it’s not okay to encourage people to buy junk food, then why is the government still doing it?

(Photo Credit: LollyKnit via Flickr)

 

7 comments

Dec 21, 2010
killingMother said...
The subsidized junk food crops also have big corporate sponsors, who in turn subsidize Republicans. Junk food leads to chronic health issues and corporate health are also big subsidizers of Republican campaigns. The anti-veggie stance by Republicans really does look like socialism to them with their feeble understanding of the word. Anything without corporate sponsorship and consequent campaign funding is suspect. www.killingmother.blogspot.com.
Dec 21, 2010
killingMother said...
The subsidized junk food crops also have big corporate sponsors, who in turn subsidize Republicans. Junk food leads to chronic health issues and corporate health are also big subsidizers of Republican campaigns. The anti-veggie stance by Republicans really does look like socialism to them with their feeble understanding of the word. Anything without corporate sponsorship and consequent campaign funding is suspect. www.killingmother.blogspot.com.
Dec 21, 2010
Joan Newhouse said...
Perfectly said. Thank you!
Dec 22, 2010
Media Magnet said...
We need to think for ourselves these days. It can be difficult with most of our lifestyles to add veggies to our diet. The best way to add them to your diet is by juicing, I juice first thing in the morning and have 6 servings of fruit and vegetables in a glass. This gives me two benefits needed enzymes we all need from eating raw fruits and vegetables and if I eat more during the day it is an added bonus to my health.
Jan 07, 2011
pippinunu said...
No wonder George Bush the First didn't like broccoli.
Jul 06, 2011
Tater Gumfries said...
You shouldn't have to "add" vegetables to your diet. Problem is most folks ain't used to eatin good vegetables as a matter of course like your Chinese and French and Italians do, for instance. Tater just salts and oils beets and carrots and squash and whatnot and grills em. That should be easy for most Americans. Your French got all them vegetable terrines, Chinese and Japanese food got vegetables right in there. Just need some new recipes, and folks growin up eatin em.

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