New Zealand

[dianamt54]

I was listening to Rush Limbaugh yesterday and he said that New Zealand was going to out law butter. Its fattening. Sure, if you eat a tub of it.

Also heard that Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE from being PLASTIC. Some people believe it, some don't. I just rather eat butter. Why do governments want to control what we eat?? In the USA, they changed the recipe on movie popcorn! I know that some people go to the movies a lot, but since I don't go as often as I would like to, but if I want movie popcorn, I want it! Just a thought!

And, yes, I do have a lot of time on my hands!

[Nephele]

The government of New Zealand isn't proposing to outlaw butter. It's a so-called "top public health expert" who is calling for a "health tax" on butter. Governmental response came from Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor, who stated that "a health tax on butter would be naive and impractical." Read about it here

 

As for the claim that "Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE from being PLASTIC..." This bit of hyperbole has been squelched by Snopes.com, which states: "The claim that some comestible is but a 'single molecule away' from being a decidedly inedible (or even toxic) substance has been applied to a variety of processed foods...These types of statements...are essentially meaningless. Many disparate substances share similar chemical properties, but even the slightest variation in molecular structure can make a world of difference in the qualities of those substances." See The Butter Truth.

 

An excess of time on one's hands could be well spent at the Snopes website.

 

-- Nephele

[Primus Pilus]

Why do governments want to control what we eat??

 

In my opinion, the better question is... what don't governments want to control? Every new uncontested method of control restriction of personal liberty breeds more government dependency. It ensures the status quo as regards the ruling class and preserves their positions of authority and privilege. While there may be some who honestly think they are trying to help people, ultimately I find it impossible to believe that the bureaucratic establishment truly cares about our health as individuals...including what we eat, smoke, drink or otherwise shove into our various bodily orifices.

 

PS. Even if margarine were "one molecule away from being plastic" it is essential to note that the existence of that one particular molecule or any other slight variation in chemical structure makes it not plastic or not toxic (though there are ingredients in natural forms of some products that can be harmful--aluminum in deodorant/anti-perspirant for example). However, I do agree that eating products closer to their natural state as opposed to processed foods, is in general terms, a wise policy. (Provided one is not spending all day eating toxic 'shrooms.)

[Kosmo]

Today I made a fresh salad and the plant had many snails and a earthworm on it. This natural product totally ruined my apetite.

[cornelius_sulla]

I'm a Kiwi (a New Zealander) as many of you know, and our government could sooner outlaw breathing than outlaw any kind of dairy product. They're aware of this but I'd bet two for four that the 'health specialist' who come up with this idea has now given the government a few to work on. The idea may be 'naive and impractical' now, but throw a marketing campaign at it, give it a year or two to sink into the consciousness and conscience of the populace and hey presto! Butter will be Public Enemy No.1 and politically correct mums and dads all over the country will be calling for it's abolition while their teenage sons and daughters drink to excess, mix the booze with narcotics, smash up their cars and ruin their lives.

The biggest problem I foresee with the idea would be that we love butter here. As far as the majority of Kiwis are concerned, margarine is plastic.

But if our government really thought it was something worth pursuing, they'd first attempt to brainwash us, then guilt trip us, and if that didn't work, they'd just ride roughshod over us.

[dianamt54]

I'm a Kiwi (a New Zealander) as many of you know, and our government could sooner outlaw breathing than outlaw any kind of dairy product. They're aware of this but I'd bet two for four that the 'health specialist' who come up with this idea has now given the government a few to work on. The idea may be 'naive and impractical' now, but throw a marketing campaign at it, give it a year or two to sink into the consciousness and conscience of the populace and hey presto! Butter will be Public Enemy No.1 and politically correct mums and dads all over the country will be calling for it's abolition while their teenage sons and daughters drink to excess, mix the booze with narcotics, smash up their cars and ruin their lives.

The biggest problem I foresee with the idea would be that we love butter here. As far as the majority of Kiwis are concerned, margarine is plastic.

But if our government really thought it was something worth pursuing, they'd first attempt to brainwash us, then guilt trip us, and if that didn't work, they'd just ride roughshod over us.

Oh my gosh, did you just describe the United States?? You know that government always deals the such important issues! I thought it was ridiculous to have congressional meetings on baseball. I know there are a lot of steroids in everthing, but to waste time on that when there are so much more important issues to deal with, it just crazy! Just my opinion. I think bindge drinking and all you said are so true. I know that I did it, and by the Grace of God, I am still here! When my children go to College, I am just going to move in with them.

 

To butter or not to butter! I just like it better and don't like margarine.

 

[dianamt54]

Why do governments want to control what we eat??

 

In my opinion, the better question is... what don't governments want to control? Every new uncontested method of control restriction of personal liberty breeds more government dependency. It ensures the status quo as regards the ruling class and preserves their positions of authority and privilege. While there may be some who honestly think they are trying to help people, ultimately I find it impossible to believe that the bureaucratic establishment truly cares about our health as individuals...including what we eat, smoke, drink or otherwise shove into our various bodily orifices.

 

PS. Even if margarine were "one molecule away from being plastic" it is essential to note that the existence of that one particular molecule or any other slight variation in chemical structure makes it not plastic or not toxic (though there are ingredients in natural forms of some products that can be harmful--aluminum in deodorant/anti-perspirant for example). However, I do agree that eating products closer to their natural state as opposed to processed foods, is in general terms, a wise policy. (Provided one is not spending all day eating toxic 'shrooms.)

 

How funny, I made shrooms for dinner. Not that kind, normal kind.

[Nephele]

I'm a Kiwi (a New Zealander) as many of you know, and our government could sooner outlaw breathing than outlaw any kind of dairy product. They're aware of this but I'd bet two for four that the 'health specialist' who come up with this idea has now given the government a few to work on.

 

Here in the U.S. we have our own share of the Food Police who attempt to give "the government a few to work on." They mainly consist of numerous activist organizations and individuals (not unlike your own Rod Jackson in New Zealand) who incessantly prevail upon our government to enact punitive taxes as a means of "protecting" (read: "controlling") the rest of us.

 

Click on The Center for Consumer Freedom for a list of the numerous proposals for "fat taxes" -- and even a proposal for a "sin tax" on meat products by the so-called "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals."

 

P.E.T.A., by the way, has on numerous occasions warranted special attention from The Center for Consumer Freedom which, a couple of years ago and in brave disregard for retaliatory lawsuits from P.E.T.A., erected the famous "P.E.T.A. Kills Animals" billboard in New York City's Times Square (bringing to public attention the hypocrisy of P.E.T.A.).

 

-- Nephele

[Northern Neil]

For years now, I have made my food purely from ingredients, and refuse to buy anything from a packet, or which is more than two steps away from being either dug up or shot. In otherwords, I dont eat processed food. This is borne out of a desire primarily to know exactly what I am eating, with health being a secondary (albeit beneficial) side effect. I also save a fat pile of cash by so doing, as well (and I WASH my salad leaves, Kosmo! ). Butter is, to me, a fairly pure product, whereas margarine is a largely synthetic blend of hydrogenated vegetable oils and a broth of stabilising and gumming agents. Not for me!

 

 

Everyone now knows the risks and benefits of eating various foods, and I think the government should not get involved. We have a growing problem with obesity and ill health in the UK, and parents know fine well they are stuffing their children with poor quality, expensive processed rubbish. So let them do it - The alternatives are there if they choose to take them.

[Nephele]

For years now, I have made my food purely from ingredients, and refuse to buy anything from a packet, or which is more than two steps away from being either dug up or shot. In otherwords, I dont eat processed food.

 

And that's perfectly cool, too.

 

Everyone now knows the risks and benefits of eating various foods, and I think the government should not get involved.

 

Absolutely.

 

To each his scone.

 

-- Nephele

[Gaius Octavius]

I couldn't agree more. Back in the 1950's, where did government get the verve to tell the rabble that M's hotdogs were made out of kangaroo, but told that the stuff was all beef and so priced? Didn't bother my Mother, she wouldn't let me eat offal. When the cat population of NYC became alarmingly low, the reason was found in the freezers of Chinese restaurants. Didn't bother me, I don't eat slops. Now dead chickens are being collected over in China, Laos, Viet-Nam, Thailand, etc., and being shipped over to America for the delectation of gourmands. Doesn't bother me in the slightest. By Imperial Edict, I have prohibited chicken in the Consular Household lo these many years. Look, the proper concern of government is war, and the repatriation of wealth to the proper citizens. It is wrong for the government to alert the polloi to the fact that cattle are loaded with penicillin. How will university researchers earn an honest living? How would the excess population be controlled?

Edited April 25, 2008 by Gaius Octavius

[Horatius]

In my opinion, the better question is... what don't governments want to control? Every new uncontested method of control restriction of personal liberty breeds more government dependency. It ensures the status quo as regards the ruling class and preserves their positions of authority and privilege. While there may be some who honestly think they are trying to help people, ultimately I find it impossible to believe that the bureaucratic establishment truly cares about our health as individuals...including what we eat, smoke, drink or otherwise shove into our various bodily orifices.

Don't confuse government which should be the citizens protection against predatory and outright fraudulent practices of corporations. As flawed as they are today we seem to forget the reason the FDA, USDA and similar government agencies exist( hint sinclair lewis). If they become controlled by the very interests they were created to regulate then there is a problem (and there is a problem). Sawdust in your milk? maggots in your beef ? Trichinosis in your pork? don't see that much anymore. I think some peoples ire is misdirected

. If a company could sell you a drink with an ingredient that would kill you in 29 years and get away with it they would. We need more and non political regulation not less. .If you want to sit on your porch with a 4-10 loaded with lead be my guest, just let me fish through on your creek please.

[Ursus]

Let them abolish the income tax and replace it with various "health taxes." I'd rather people be punished for eating junk food than for the simple fact of having a high income.

 

I'd also be in favor of discouraging narcotics through heavy taxation rather than outright criminalization. It would save billions of dollars.

[Gaius Octavius]

Let them abolish the income tax and replace it with various "health taxes." I'd rather people be punished for eating junk food than for the simple fact of having a high income.

 

I have waited a while before answering this inane post. It is obviously from one without a clue about American history. It is my fondest, fervent wish that he eat none but imported foods, particularly the oriental slops. I wish the same for any medicine that he will, hopefully, need. Had he a 'high income', taxes wouldn't trouble him. He wouldn't pay any. I don't. Yes, I am having a couple of brews - the kind he can't afford. Do your damndest. With my permission, of course. For more ammo, check my blog.

Edited May 5, 2008 by Gaius Octavius

[Viggen]

I would assume, people that worry about things like "outlawing butter", are probably those that never get their ass of the couch, eat fast food, smoke and blame their louzy health condition on butter...

 

cheers

viggen