Monday, December 8, 2014

Junk Food for the Soul



When I was very young my mother
would take me shopping. Stores were
wonderful, appealing places, filled with
brightly-labeled boxes and cans. It was
always fun to see what was there,
especially when Mom would allow me to
choose the food we were going to eat.
There was something to appeal to every
appetite. Invariably I would get fixated on
food items that weren't very healthy for
me or for the family. Given the choice, I
would fill the cart with sugary, addictive
things that provided a quick fill and little nutritive value.

There's no doubt that Mom knew how important it was for kids to make choices, but fortunately she was there to provide some guidance as well. It was nice for everyone to have the occasional treat, but more important for me to choose food that would make the whole family healthier. The manufacturers of the addictive foods thought our health was not as important as keeping me coming back for more.

I hope there's something in this story that rings true to everyone. Someone once said that "you can never get enough of what you don't need." It seems fair to apply that concept to voters. Some of our American brothers and sisters keep choosing the equivalent of political junk food. The manufacturers have kept it flowing for decades and they've found their target consumers. They offer sweets, fats, and frosting that addict but never satisfy.

As you eat political junk food you become weaker and unattractive, you lose self-confidence, and you become desperate to identify with other victims. Worse yet, you care less about the well-being of anyone but yourself. The junk food purveyors feel your discontent and that of everyone in your group. They'll tell you it's not your fault, it's those people who make you feel envious. Those few skinny, healthy, happy, naïve people.

Envy is a soul-crushing, ugly poison. It's never led me anywhere but down. Likewise, getting even will never make you happy. Anyone who uses envy to motivate your vote doesn't care about you, your well-being, or the happiness of your family. They want you addicted for.ev.er. So if you're part of a disadvantaged group, please, please do some shopping. Don't go back to the same snack bar where they claim to feel your pain.

You are an individual. Browse, search, and shop for what makes you and everyone else more healthy, independent, and capable. And lay off the junk food.