Food And Drink

Eat to live rather than live to eat is a mantra repeated by those in the health care field. Only in America do we need such a reminder. There are so many around the world that live just to find food. Our whole attitude towards food is out of touch. We cannot get enough food fast enough. There are never too many choices. We cannot imagine living any other way.

What do the starving masses think of us? Imagine if they got a glimpse of our over-consumption? We have eating contests where we stuff our faces and bellies to overflowing. We pay farmers not to grow on land that is perfectly usable. We throw so much food away that a subculture has grown from our excess. God forbid we should send some of what we have in abundance to those who starve. This should surprise no one. The government would not let food be shipped to Katrina survivors. What chance does the rest of the world have?

Let us not forget that other commodity which we all need to live. Water is essential to our bodies yet this too is an issue for many. In some places there is no safe source of drinking water. Some governments will not pay for wells to be dug. Others divert money away from those who wish to help to those who have more than enough. In some instances residents must prepay for their water regardless of their income status.

You may think I am speaking in generalities. Take any one of the issues I have raised and see for yourself. Research via periodicals or the Internet will show you just how serious these problems are. People need food. People need water. We human beings need to start caring. We must act and not simply sit back and shed a tear.

There are solutions. You and I are intelligent beings. We can come up with good ideas. What separates the thinkers from the doers is action. Learn about people and their problems. Understand various points of view. Think about what you read and then act. Do not do what others say is best just because they speak with authority. Authority does not always equate with intelligence. Good intentions through speeches and rhetoric helps no one. As others just talk we need to act. The lives of countless others depend on it.