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July 09, 2005
Bloodsucking, leeching Corporations?
In last Sunday's Star, there was an op-ed piece from 15 year old Ricardo Gomez who attends Channel Islands High School. I want to congratulate Ricardo for having the courage to write what he thinks. It's unusual for today's youth to get up in arms about a cause. I was, however, so taken a back by what he wrote, that I have decided to comment on it. To view his article, click here before continuing to read my comments.
Ricardo, it seems, has very strong opinions, and blames corporations for the fattening of America's youth, particluarly when these kids are trapped at school, and have nothing to eat except what's served by the bloodsucking, leeching corporations.
But hold the phone Ricardo! What school do you go to? Are the food services at your school outsourced? Food services are typically provided by the school district, under strict dietary guidelines from the Department of Agriculture. Soda and Candy machines are provided on request of the district, and the district can decide what they stock or don't stock. And kids have choices they can make about what they can buy out of a vending machine or not. Kids can also prepare their own meals and snacks at home.
No one, including corporations, is holding a gun to your head to make you eat a ding dong.
It's easy to blame someone else, and not take personal responsibility. Yes, parents are often to blame, by sending their kids to school with the McDonalds Big Breakfast, or a pack of Hostesss Donuts. But is that McDonalds Fault, or Hostess? What about the kids that go to school with no food on their stomach at all? IBM's fault, or mom & dad?
Ricardo, without these bloodsucking, leeching corporations, you wouldn't have had the opportunity to publish your article in the Star, or for a summer job if you got one -
That Ipod or Gameboy you probably have - built by a company.
That car you're saving up for - yep - a company with workers built that.
Do your mom & dad have a job? Where?
Like to hang out at Starbucks or Borders? They are not non-profit charities.
Like to go to the movies or play video games? Sorry, they're making a profit.
Ricardo - Obesity is a serious problem in this nation, and as you say, it is getting worse by the day. We have indeed supersized and indulged our way into being an unhealthy nation. But let's put the blame squarely on where it belongs. Personal choice and personal responsibility.
Let's have a serious debate about it.
Tim Keaney
Comments
Brian,
I think you missed my point. In this case, I am less interested in who's providing the services, and far more interested in Ricardo's perspective on business. Business can, in fact, do some good things, and I think that he doesn't have that perspective.
Tim
Posted by: Tim Keaney at July 12, 2005 10:28 AMLet's see, wasn't it Reagan who said Ketchup was a vegetable? Way to go Ricardo! I see the California Chamber of Commerce lied about the impact of a minimum wage increase. They said it would cost 7 billion in testimony in Sacramento and they now say it would be 2 billion or less. The Chamber has gone from promoting business to attacking workers. Maybe an increase would allow Ricardo to buy some healthy food and bring it to school for lunch. Because of Republican cutbacks to school funding the schools are forced to outsource food services to corporations who force junk food on the kids. Keep writing Ricardo, don't let Tim discourage you. Arleigh
Posted by: Arleigh Kidd at July 12, 2005 11:16 AMRicardo is to be applauded for speaking his mind and having the courage of his convictions.
You must be ticked off at the classified unions I assume, for foisting all this bad food on kids? Since there is no outsourcing?
I heard about the chamber too - what a stupid mistake they made. At least they retracted it.
Are you Arleigh going to be responding to Tim's request for a retracttion about Bake Sales?
Posted by: Sven Benson at July 13, 2005 08:46 AMHi all! I'm Ricardo Gomez, I swear it. Today I'm at my high school working on our new newspaper (sorry, no opinion pieces from me). My lovely friend googled me and came up with this. It's a little late in the game but I'd like to say that my article was not characterizing all corporations as evil institutions bent on solely making profit for themselves and their shareholders (even though that's their obligation legally) but only blasting those that decide that they should capitalize from the sale of unhealty foods to our nation's youth-- and please drop the whole "no one's holding a gun to your head" thing. You're too old to know it, gramps, but it's not like the sale of junk food on our campuses starts at highschool; it began for me at junior high--when I was 11. Please do not tell me that an 11 year old has the mental capacity to not choose a delicious bag of chips, a can of soda, and an Airhead over the disgusting slop our schools often try to pass off to us as food. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather eat the disgusting slop over the junk food any day, but just look at it through the eyes of an 11 year old for a second and you will see that it's not just a simple matter of choice to overcome, it is a calculated decision on the part of these corporations, yes they are corporations for the most part (not ethically conscious ones like starbucks), to lure us in while we're young to keep us hooked until we're old. Why does that sound so familiar.
Anyway, thanks for thinking that my opinion is worth the time to write about. Bye all!
Posted by: Ricardo Gomez at September 17, 2005 04:00 PMRicardo,
Welcome to the blog. I've posted your comments in their entirety, even though you called me "gramps"! YIKES!
We're going to disagree about corporations, even the food lobby. I think most corporations try to do good, while their first priority is to make a profit. Yes, I will stipulate to the Enrons, Tycos and the like before someone else does. When you have people and profits involved, you have LOTS of room for corruption.
I respect your opinion, and I want to make clear that I respect your right to say what you want to say, and even publish it.
I would like to ask you a few questions:
1. What would you do to change the slop they serve at school? How would you improve it and what would you serve?
2. What would you replace in the vending machines?
3. Where are you going to school now, and what are you doing to advocate for change there?
Thanks again for your comments. I hope you'll reply and keep coming back. Feel free to invite your friends to come in and comment as well.
Tim Keaney
Tim,
Read last month's issue of Education Next ( a right of center mag I like) about the lunch lobbies.
Big AG is a huge lobby. They pay to play and they get what they want. Sometimes it helps and sometimes it hurts.
It seems you and the young writer are pretty black and white on the issue.
It it is outsourced or done in house, nationally there is pressure. And money will get you anything in DC or SAC these days.
Posted by: Brian Dennert at July 12, 2005 07:27 AMBrian Dennert