I haven't read the newspaper in the morning in a while. between trying to figure out my life/future, studying, trying to see all my friends, working two jobs, and catching up on my "to read" list, I haven't had a chance. which is ok I suppose - better too much fun and life than too little :)
however, it also means that I am enraged about politics on much fewer occasions.
so - today I read the newspaper. there is horrible news about a mayoral candidate sleeping with a girl (*gasp!), Haiti's hospitals charging for donated medicine (*sigh) and army leaders charged with sexual assault (disgusting). it starts my day in a huff, but with a little bit of passion in me.
Then I read about the US first lady. the Obama's are doing wonders for our neighbours to the south... and while I experienced my first longing to live in the US (EVER!) recently, it's becoming more and more of a reality with the Obama's in charge.
Michelle Obama launched a campaign yesterday to fight childhood obesity in the US. while I think that there are so many parts to the health of children, it's certainly a step in the right direction having the First Lady enforcing more activity in schools, more accurate food labeling and healthier food in schools. Though lots have spoken about this, it's so important for strong leaders to take a stand, and show how important these 'little things' are for the future.
However, my favourite part of the campaign are the initiatives - tax breaks for grocery stores to move into poorly served communities. it is my hope that this will become a highly practiced initiative, if congress decides to make a positive change for their country (and subsequently have our lemming prime minister follow the lead).
My very good friend Alex currently teaches on a reserve up in Sandy Lake, Ontario. She comes home, and reminds us that oranges can cost upwards of $5 each - as opposed to the $0.50 here. how can a population be expected to focus their energy on giving their children a positive quality of life, when tang or sunny delight costs a quarter of the price of a carton of real orange juice. since reserve water quality is lacking support also, the water is not particularly enjoyable... therefore there is a lot of kool aid consumed on reserve. needless to say, when everything is working against you, you have not a lot of venues through which to rise out of your situation.
I'm not quite sure why governments have not yet started subsidizing healthier food, and charging a higher tariff on junk food - I guess for the same reason that the US hasn't realized that by adding a $1 tax to every tobacco and alcohol product sold, they would pay for their healthcare system over and over again.
Needless to say, health is a socioeconomic privilege. Get rich, be healthy. That's my motto*
*clearly I am joking... this is the horrible reality of poverty in North America - the poor don't deserve to be healthy.
want a health care system that can actually support all the people in the country? How about ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food to start!
thank you Obama's.
however, it also means that I am enraged about politics on much fewer occasions.
so - today I read the newspaper. there is horrible news about a mayoral candidate sleeping with a girl (*gasp!), Haiti's hospitals charging for donated medicine (*sigh) and army leaders charged with sexual assault (disgusting). it starts my day in a huff, but with a little bit of passion in me.
Then I read about the US first lady. the Obama's are doing wonders for our neighbours to the south... and while I experienced my first longing to live in the US (EVER!) recently, it's becoming more and more of a reality with the Obama's in charge.
Michelle Obama launched a campaign yesterday to fight childhood obesity in the US. while I think that there are so many parts to the health of children, it's certainly a step in the right direction having the First Lady enforcing more activity in schools, more accurate food labeling and healthier food in schools. Though lots have spoken about this, it's so important for strong leaders to take a stand, and show how important these 'little things' are for the future.
However, my favourite part of the campaign are the initiatives - tax breaks for grocery stores to move into poorly served communities. it is my hope that this will become a highly practiced initiative, if congress decides to make a positive change for their country (and subsequently have our lemming prime minister follow the lead).
My very good friend Alex currently teaches on a reserve up in Sandy Lake, Ontario. She comes home, and reminds us that oranges can cost upwards of $5 each - as opposed to the $0.50 here. how can a population be expected to focus their energy on giving their children a positive quality of life, when tang or sunny delight costs a quarter of the price of a carton of real orange juice. since reserve water quality is lacking support also, the water is not particularly enjoyable... therefore there is a lot of kool aid consumed on reserve. needless to say, when everything is working against you, you have not a lot of venues through which to rise out of your situation.
I'm not quite sure why governments have not yet started subsidizing healthier food, and charging a higher tariff on junk food - I guess for the same reason that the US hasn't realized that by adding a $1 tax to every tobacco and alcohol product sold, they would pay for their healthcare system over and over again.
Needless to say, health is a socioeconomic privilege. Get rich, be healthy. That's my motto*
*clearly I am joking... this is the horrible reality of poverty in North America - the poor don't deserve to be healthy.
want a health care system that can actually support all the people in the country? How about ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food to start!
thank you Obama's.