Making Americans Sick

Townhall.com ^ | 7/22/2010 | Walter Williams

[SupplySider]

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius promised, "The U.S. government plans to increase funding to battle obesity and views healthcare reform as an opportunity to encourage better eating habits." Rather than spending money and attacking the food industry, the secretary and others concerned with the health of Americans ought to go after the U.S. Congress. Let's look at it.

According to a study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (May 2009), widespread use of fructose may be directly responsible for some of the ongoing increase in rates of childhood diabetes and obesity. Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases abdominal fat and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese people. The participants in the study who consumed fructose-sweetened food showed an increase of fat cells around major organs including their hearts and livers, and also underwent metabolic changes that are precursors to heart disease and diabetes.

[SupplySider]

Typically brilliant dissection of liberal (and pseudo-conservative) economic policy by the great Walter Williams. This time he takes on politically-connected sugar tariffs and the law of unintended consequences vis-a-vis fructose and obesity.

Perhaps next time he'll highlight farm subsidies that have us eating corn and soy derivatives in nearly everything.

[pnh102]

Perhaps next time he'll highlight farm subsidies that have us eating corn and soy derivatives in nearly everything.

Sad to say that there are many people here who vigorously defend farm subsidies.

[SupplySider]

I think farm subsidies are as insulting to farmers as affirmative action quotas are to racial minorities. I am very sure our great farmers would still be great without handouts.

[Jack Hammer]

Just parenthetically, High Fructose Corn Syrup is a killer, IMHO.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The Fanjul family of Palm Beach, Fla., a politically connected family, has given more than $1.8 million to both Democratic and Republican parties over the years.

I remember reading in the Starr Report about Bill Clinton being on the phone with some sugar producer in Florida during the time of one of his Monica hijinx. He was probably arranging receipt of a big bribe.

[CPOSharky]

... may be directly responsible for some...

OK, that's sufficient evidence (for libtards) to totally ban it and sue the producers into bankbupcy.

[SupplySider]

I remember reading in the Starr Report about Bill Clinton being on the phone with some sugar producer in Florida during the time of one of his Monica hijinx. He was probably arranging receipt of a big bribe.

I remember Bush Sr. caving to the sugar lobby, too. Though usually a principled free trader, he refused to let American consumers have cheaper sugar.

[pnh102]

Just parenthetically, High Fructose Corn Syrup is a killer, IMHO.

I'd go even further. IMO, it is literally devil's piss. My family and I go out of our way to avoid it whenever possible.

[Jack Hammer]

I have the feeling it - and it, alone - is responsible for a lot of this type II diabetes we’re seeing in this generation.