While Warning About Fat, U.S. (Government) Pushes Cheese Sales

[GM2RN]

Here's a fascinating article from the NY Times that highlights the duplicitous nature of our government. It's refreshing to see the mainstream media shedding a tiny ray of light on the subject.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/us/07fat.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha1

[citylights89, BSN, RN]

The FDA can be shady...ever wonder why it is called the Food AND Drug Administration? We wouldn't need the high number of drugs that we do if our food supply was up to par for our health. Uh-huh, it's for a reason. $$$

[GM2RN]

I guess I'm more than a little surprised that all but one post has focused on cheese, and not the duplicity and conflict of interest engaged in by our government.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

The duplicity of our govenment is not a startling idea to me. I personally believe the greatest majority of politicians are in someway duplicitous, so what!?!

On the other hand, bring back the Reaganesque free government cheese giveaways!!! That was some good freakin' cheese back in the day!!!!

[tokyoROSE, BSN, RN]

I just stay away from buying cheese all together. The only time when I do eat it is on an occasional slice of pizza at work or at social occassions.

[VanLpn]

Cheese can be an excellent source of protein. I wonder why we don't see more 2% cheese out there. I often buy it when I find it!

there are better sources of protein and calcium and they don't have all the cholesterol and saturated fat that cheese has. if people want to eat cheese, fine...but let's not pretend it's a healthfood.

[jjjoy, LPN]

I wouldn't use the word "duplicity". I would say contradictory! It's frustrating and yet I can't be too hard on the government about it because contradiction seems inevitable in *any* real-world system. There are so many examples. And those contradictions often do make sense from whatever perspective is being taken. Like with food, moderation is often the best path, but even defining what is moderate can be contentious!

Here's what I see as very simplistic example of everyday real-world contradictions: we usually teach children not to lie, that the truth is always best. And yet, we also often teach children about "white lies", such as not telling Grandma that you think the sweater she gave you is the ugliest thing you've ever seen.

Conflicts of interest is inevitable as well... An environmentally-conscious person might lobby for policies that hurt the logging industry and put some people out of work. A disposable diaper user, non-hybrid car-driver might be using their time non-eco-friendly time being a great inner-city teacher helping disadvantaged youth overcome obstacles.

I'm not excusing the government from making mistakes or creating contradictory policies. It would seem that the cheese promotion program needs serious reconsideration, especially with regard to the wider health implications of the various ways in which cheese might be promoted... eg promoting cheese and apple slices as a snack alternative to Doritos as opposed to promoting cheese-filled pizza crusts.

In other words, instead of spending a lot of time and energy focusing on the ridiculousness of the contradictory policies (since we can find such ridiculousness everywhere, in private industry, government, and individual behavior), instead let's focus on how to go about making those policies more reasonable.