I really think it's interesting actually. My kiddo (whom, I used to have to practically hold a hot pan over his head going, you're eating the broccoli one way or another, by choice is more pleasant) is like, obsessed with a healthy diet. I think there was a fair amount of teaching in schools and by example, but it's something he considers. LOL, I taught him how to shop by price unit (you'd be shocked how many folks don't understand that concept) and he is now also shopping by "caloric and nutritive unit."
The little monster of COURSE decided to do this after leaving home, LOL, but he really is very concerned about diabetes.
I will say I believe it to be a societal issue, and frankly many folks on food stamps, well, that's one area they can almost "addict" themselves to, without a great deal of outlay. I've been told (I have not fact checked it) that while obesity may be endemic in society today, that it's also a poverty and educational issue. I took the kid to various food pantries at times because he was poor, and I was really shocked at what they "provided." To call it "non-nutritive" was almost an understatement and the closest thing they had to a "fruit" was a peach pie. So, often times, unfortunately, the best "cheapest" options available are starches. They really are, take a good hard look at the cost of meat compared to say "bread" sometime.
It's also a cultural thing. The tribes around here have diabetes as ABSOLUTELY endemic, and it's really based on such a huge move away from their more traditional diet.
IMHO as ALWAYS, though, the government COULD consider the idea of say, not allowing you to purchase a diet soda and a bag of skittles, but I'm not particularly loving that idea either.
The frustration with diabetes, is eating healthy and exercising is JUST as challenging in terms of lifestyle change compared to smoking vs. vaping. We all KNOW what's healthy, but doing it? That can be quite harder. I'd love to see Food stamps give some OPTIONAL extras, say, $100 more a month, but designating it to protein, vegetables, and fresh fruits. It at least OFFERS the motivation of a more healthy eating style.
IMO, the solution to a problem is never to "remove" or "punish" the offending person, but to do something the US seems to have a very time doing anymore-- to REWARD people by making healthy choices.
Also, (IMHO) if the government gave any CONSIDERATION to my health, at the very least I should have been able to DEDUCT my vape gear and nicotine as part of my healthcare expenses, not worry about FLAVORS. LOL.
I am now entering a realm of such fantastical (although also IMO TRUE) logical attempt to look at vaping as it SHOULD be regarded, I will stop.
Behavioral therapy proved LONG ago that incentivizing a behavior works WAY better than punishing the "negative" behavior. Why the government cannot wrap their heads around this escapes me (or I'd be saying some rather nasty things) but it's TRUE.
The best, easiest, cheapest way to fix a problem is to INCENTIVIZE the opposing behavior. The government itself is a token "economy" of sorts, they for darn sure should be able to CREATE one..
Anna
