I am on vacation, but I never take a vacation from good health.  Last night, before turning in, I tuned in to Greta van Susteren's visit to The Cleveland Clinic.  (If you weren't able to view it live, visit her website, gretawire.)

During a part of the segment, the Cleveland Clinic's CEO emphasized controlling obesity for improving health and health care, since obesity is related to a wide range of life-threatening diseases, including cancer.   This morning, I decided to visit the site and post a comment about the quality and content of the show.  Irrelevant, purely political comments aside, these comments are HEATED!   

The obesity issue has energized nearly as many, it seems, as the health care debate itself.

Those in favor of healthy lifestyles are being attacked by those defending their rights to engage in unhealthy practices.  These back-and-forth barbs and attacks serve absolutely no purpose except to expose how little can be accomplished in this country by consensus, and justify the elitists who would dictate how we should live "for our own good."

1. When I am advocating healthy lifestyle choices, I am not attacking anyone. I am a Stage III breast cancer survivor planning to ride in 150 mile benefit for MS this October. I feel great and my mind is sharp (after chemo brain). Good health (not waiting in Dr's offices) is a benefit I want to share.

2. The Government and insurance companies can advocate better health (reduced obesity, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's) without penalizing anyone. It doesn't mean that the obese are outcasts.

3. In promoting health, the Government should not be subsidizing companies that destroy health or promote obesity-- specifically big agribusinesses and processors involved in the production of high fructose corn syrup and addictive, neurotoxic additives.

4. The Government (FDA) can promote healthier lifestyles with infomercials and warning labels on food with additives and HFCS.  Cigarette warnings helped. So can these.

Let's keep the debate civil and build a healthy country, not tear each other down.