Contraception Controversy

Controversy has been on going over the health care mandate including contraception as part of preventative medicine.This new law taking effect August 1, 2012, makes contraception available free of charge for women which I believe is an extremely positive thing. I think alot of women and young women especially put off getting birth control because it isnt free or easily accessable. With teen rates high and the problems that come along with it I dont see how anyone could be opposed. But the catholic church along with others have rallied against this mandate saying it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Obama plans to include an exemption for those affilated, I think this is reasonable enough, although Im sure those who are religious employees would too enjoy free contraception. Alike people who cant afford or choose not to use birth control are the very same who would carelessly become pregnant adding more financial burden on the government. I know I along with many young women would benefit from this law. And society as a whole would benefit from parents who are ready for that role; preferrable those who are married, educated, and with the means to support a child.

Obesity Epidemic

I think everyone would agree that the obesity epidemic is a problem that has been increasing in its severity for years nows. With diabetes having become the leading health problem in America most people would agree that something needs to be done about this nationwide health concern. Two common opposing viewpoints on the issue have constantly come to the debate of whether or not the government should step in and take action. In the article Fat Chance: An Analysis of Anti-Obesity Efforts authors Michael L. Marlow and Sherzod Abdukadirov take the stance that the government should take some sort of action against this health crisis. Marlow and Abdukadirov make good opposing arguements to the intervention/education approach. They state, "Obese Americans do not lack knowledge, rationale, or motivation to improve their health. Therefore, government intervention when it comes to health risks will not provide incentives for change." True that as of yet educating the masses on unhealthy eating habits such a fast food along with the popular diet of the week; these tactics arent working. People know the consequences of their actions but continue to put themselves at risk for the many heath problems caused by obesity, and those problems arent just hurting these individuals but affecting the nation as a whole. "$168 billion in health spending. If the market fails to provide the right circumstances for change, some argue that it’s the government’s job to step in and enforce what is in the best interest of the individual, even if they are fully able to make good health choices on their own."

Personally I've always believed that education should be the solution to this problem and should start with children, preferrably by parents, but school systems too should take the initiative to teach the importance of healthy eating and exercising habits. If people grow up learning about a nutritional diet as adults they should have the capacity to make well informed personal decisions. Unfortunately this leaves room still for people that become overweight and unhealthy adding to a statistic that turns into billions of dollars in health care spending, so these people should be held responsible. I dont really think we can expect the government to step in on an issue so personal as what we put into our bodies. And this is why the obesity epidemic is up for so much debate and the topic of many of articles like this one.The authors' intended audience would be conservative blog readers, I think this article is worthwhile to anyone interested in this national problem that in recent years has been recieving more and more attention. But I think most liberals who read this would think the government taking any sort of control over what food choices would be availabie to citizens is nearing socialism. Both of the authors of this article I believe are crediable, both are affilaited with Mercatus Center at George Mason University and Marlow is the author of the book The Myth of Fair and Efficient Government: Why the Government You Want Is Not the One You Get, Abdukadirov's research has been published in recent journals. I feel they make good points that something new and different needs to be put into works because obesity in this nation is such a fast growing epidemic.