What do each of the 2008 presidential candidates have to say about food, agriculture, organics, sustainable farming and other key issues in today's food economy? We can hardly give an in-depth analysis of each candidate's position here, but we're sketching out a broad look at each candidate today in honor of Presidents' Day.
It's difficult to find any sort of statement on food in John McCain's priority positions. He is focused more on national security, cutting taxes, and other things - he also did not vote for or against the Farm Bill. There are just a couple of places where we found something that could be a nod to the move for better, healthier food options:
From McCain's statements on health care reform:
• We must do more to take care of ourselves to prevent chronic diseases when possible, and do more to adhere to treatment after we are diagnosed with an illness.
• Childhood obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are all on the rise. We must again teach our children about health, nutrition and exercise - vital life information.
• Public health initiatives must be undertaken with all our citizens to stem the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes, and to deter smoking.
OK, well and good. But WHAT would we do to see these things happen?
Another nod to conservation and sustainable growing issues here:
• In the tradition of his hero, Theodore Roosevelt, John McCain believes that we are vested with a sacred duty to be proper stewards of the resources upon which the quality of American life depends. Ensuring clean air, safe and healthy water, sustainable land use, ample greenspace - and the faithful care and management of our natural treasures, including our proud National Park System - is a patriotic responsibility. One that must be met not only for the benefit of our generation, but for our children and those to whom we will pass the American legacy.
Also, remember our challenge to cook all of Cindy McCain's recipes! The first person to do it and document it will receive their choice of candidate apron - Democrat or Republican.
Wow, that's scary. He doesn't sound like he thinks the government has any real responsiblities towards keeping people healthy or supporting local farmers. Oi.
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McCain ignores the corrolation between poverty and obesity.
Healthy foods cost more. People that live in poor neighborhoods frequently do not have the same access to fresh fruits and vegetables that others do. They have less grocery stores nearby and more fast foods. Their neighborhoods often do not encourage outside play or movement (walking, etc). They do not have the same access to health care. They have many more advertisements for drinking and smoking aimed at them. They are likely to attend a school that has taken out recess and PE to make room for academic test prep to stay in compliance with NCLB.
If he wants to seriously talk about the epidemic of obesity, etc, he needs to acknowledge how poverty affects our country's health. He needs to mention more than just health education, he needs to talk about mandatory PE (individual training programs as opposed to team sports - studies show the former is more effective at promoting healthy exercise) and recess (in the elementary schools).
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