Saving Lives

Our Government is always on top of really important issues. They are constantly on the lookout for problems that might cause poor health or even, God forbid, death. Now, after years and years and years of “research” they are finally ready to make a move.

The FDA plans to announce later Thursday that it will require the food industry to gradually phase out all trans fats, saying they are a threat to people’s health. Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said the move could prevent 20,000 heart attacks a year and 7,000 deaths. (Associated Press)

Now, let me ask a question, if I may. After that, I will MAKE UP some statistics (isn’t that what everyone does) to prove my point. Try not to freak out. It’s just a question with “made up statistics” (which, of course, have some basis in FACT).

When are we going to “require the booze industry to phase out” liquor, beer, wine, etc.? That would prevent about 100 million people from being injured and/or killed in automobile accidents. It would limit the spousal abuse that is a major problem in our society affecting thousands and thousands of families. It would decimate the population of homeless shelters, soup kitchens, Gospel Missions, and such. It would cut the population of prisons in half. (Remember, I am “making up” these statistics –  you can find the real ones on line).

I know the first response is – we tried that and it didn’t work. We’re smarter now. People would get it anyway! Then why not drop the criminalization of all drugs – since people get them anyway.

When are we going to “require the medical community to phase out” abortion? That would prevent millions of deaths. And since there are sometimes (often?) complications which affect the health of mothers, we could prevent all those issues by the “phase out.”

Now, you can holler, “apples and oranges” if you want to. But I, for one, am not listening. Our Government, our society, our “people protecting operation” are all out of sync.