Food marketing is not the answer to obesity Re: “Congressmen object to federal ‘cereal killer’ guidelines,” July 28
While childhood obesity is a serious problem, food marketing is not the culprit. Parents are ultimately in control, and this week’s announcement that McDonald’s is offering a slimmed-down version of the Happy Meal is a great example of that fact. Apple dippers have been offered since 2004, and advertised since 2006. While 88 percent of McDonald’s customers were aware of the apple slice option, only 11 percent chose it for their children.
Personal responsibility aside, the proposed guidelines could cost 74,000 jobs in the food and advertising industries if they are handed down — hard to swallow in an economy with 9.2 percent unemployment. Better solutions would include eradicating food deserts believed to contribute to catastrophic health problems we see in underserved communities, mandatory physical education in public schools, and programs such as First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” anti-childhood-obesity campaign.
Michelle Bernard
Washington
Back up the failed-presidency claim with facts
Conservative politicians, columnists and talk radio hosts continue to hammer President Obama daily saying he is a terrible president. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., even goes so far to say it is vitally important Obama is a one-term president.
I challenge Sen. McConnell, his Republican comrades, and the conservative media to speak and write in detail why they believe Obama is a failed president. Also, tell America’s majority middle class and poor why we would be so much better off today under a John McCain presidency. From Day One of his presidency, Obama was faced with monumental problems he inherited, foremost among them being an economy tottering on the brink of collapse.
Conservatives, in each instance you claim Obama failed, please tell us how Republicans would have handled each situation better. Sen. McConnell, is it really that crucial Obama is defeated in 2012? If so, why?
Paul L. Whiteley Sr.
Louisville, Ky.
Political accountability is coming
The debt ceiling debacle is a major example of the political hypocrisy of both sides. Establishment Republicans and Democrats are more concerned with getting re-elected instead of the actual financial threat of our growing national debt.
In my lifetime, I have never been more upset with the failure of leadership in Washington. Enough means enough, and in the 2012 election every political candidate who has served more than eight years in Washington must be fired by the voters, and that includes President Obama.
One of the most corrupt presidential administrations in the last century and the media’s failure to report the truth goes beyond irresponsible. No, the First Amendment’s freedom of speech doesn’t protect media executives or employees who have defrauded the American public, endangered our sovereignty, and architecturally developed our financial demise (unsustainable national debt) by using false propaganda that has protected, promoted and perpetuated President Obama’s radical policies.
Accountability is coming, and it will be a sad day for corruption and treachery. And yes, I have an economic plan (“The Economic Road to Recovery”) that provides workable pragmatic solutions for our current and future financial challenges.
When will the mainstream media regain its integrity? How do the political pundits of President Obama in the mainstream media sleep at night? What is required for the mainstream media to report the facts? Where are the true journalists with professional standards that reported on Watergate? Who should be held accountable for the biased coverage that has shown an unwillingness to challenge the political hyperbole?
Jim Nobles
Zebulon, Ga.
