The Rocket

Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Opinion

Today we are going to talk about health. I'm not going to tell you what to eat or how to exercise, because it seems that everyone else has the answer for that. If you don't want to follow their advice, don't fear; our current society is making sure you're not allowed to have a choice.

The cigarette tax is rising in Pennsylvania. Not because of health reasons, but because the governor just doesn't have enough money to get things done. If Pennsylvania was really worried about the health of its citizens, it would ban cigarettes completely. Sadly, Rendell would have even less money to work with.

But I've complained enough about cigarettes in the past, so lets move on to trans-fats. I had no clue what trans-fat was until it started being banned from restaurants. I do know that fat adds flavor to food. I'd rather die young then live to be 100 while eating food that tastes like cardboard.

Even the Girl Scouts removed trans-fats from their cookies. The small things that make life worthwhile just continue to be destroyed.

Prince Charles just recently made a statement that he feels McDonalds should be banned because it serves unhealthy food. I could use common sense to persuade you why McDonalds should be allowed to stay open.

If you're a vitamin nut, I should let you know that vitamins A, C and E don't help you live longer. I'm willing to bet that in a few years there will be a revolutionary study that links vitamin C to cancer.

If you're shocked by this, just go online, open up some news sites and check out the health sections. You will see a list of stories that will contradict things that you were told only months ago.

I only know two things about health that I've found absolute. The first is that the government will do its best to regulate, limit and ban anything that brings forth pleasure or tastes good. It will then lie and say it's in the interests of public health. This allows it to make more money off these items through taxes and fines. It also limits a person's freedom to choose and make decisions for themselves, which the government hates.

The second absolute is anything consumed in excess will kill you. If you smoke three packs a day, kill a fifth of bourbon every night and refuse to eat anything that is not deep fried, your stay on this planet will be brief.

Yet if I decide today that I want to smoke a pack of camels, eat two double cheeseburgers and wash it down with a Pabst pounder, I should have every right to do so.

Health is common sense. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to take your money.

Tony Maiocco is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.

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