Wednesday, November 14, 2012

FREEDOM? OF CHOICE

Time to rant! Ignore me if you want to. (Rednesday post is previous to this one.)

First and foremost I believe in freedom and freedom of choice. That's part of what makes America America. I loathe being told that I have to do something instead of being able to make the choice myself. I believe in a clean environment and healthy eating and all that stuff, and practice it most of the time - just don't like Big Brother telling me to do so.

Here are three issues that I would like to make my own decisions on, not being forced to comply:

(1.) Paper or Plastic. I heard on the radio this morning that the town of Brookline, MA (borders Boston) voted last night to bar eating establishments in town from using Styrofoam beverage cups and takeout food containers.

I also know that many towns and cities around the country have also banned these containers. Personally, I'm not a big fan of styrofoam but, honestly, how many trees are there to make that many more paper containers to replace them?

I learned from searching the internet that these #6 styrofoam containers can be recycled to make baseboards and moldings for the home. Unfortunately, only eight states have special recycle centers for them, Massachusetts not being one of them.

(2.) Incandescent versus fluorescent light bulbs. Now, I know there is no law that says you can't use incandescent bulbs. The law states that, through a phase-out over the next few years, bulbs must be 25 percent more energy efficient. But, I like my light bulbs! It's frustrating that stores are emptying their stock of incandescents immediately so you can't find them.

(3.) Bad trans fat versus good trans fat. Yes, I like being healthy, don't we all? But I sure miss the taste of the old McDonald's fries!

I don't eat there every day, or every week so, to me, it's not fair that I can't have those great-tasting fries once in a while. Did you know that bad trans fat, known by the name hydrogenated oil, is a synthetic? Hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, which changes the shape of the fat molecules, causing the oil to become more solid. This trans fat is an unnatural substance that is dangerous to health. But I feel that, like candy, it's a treat to be enjoyed once in a while, not every day. (Man, if they ban sugar, then I'm definitely revolting, lol!)

So, there you have it. I want to eat fatty fries from a styrofoam container under the glow of an incandescent light! It should be my choice!

9 comments:

Hope said...

Amen, sister!

Tami Von Zalez said...

I so agree! Give me back my regular lightbulbs and let me eat Mickey D's fries without interference!

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GardenOfDaisies said...

You probably should not move to New York, then. And I fear that new regulations and bans will be coming down the pipeline, all over this country, for a LOT more things in the next few years.

acorn hollow said...

That is the government thinking they are way smarter and know better how you should conduct your life. Hang on because there will be more and more. And they wonder why people are stock piling things.
Cathy

Shirley Hatfield said...

Brava! Most of the cupboards in my laundryroom are filled to the brim with incandescent lightbulbs...enough I hope to last until I die. lol!

Old Fashioned Gal said...

I applaud you on speaking your mind. I couldn't agree with you more!

Mick said...

I am in agreeance! Especially on the light bulb issue. What are we to do if we have a "period" home?! granted the 1940's arent exactly a world away- BUT florecents take longer to warm up in the cold and look so out of place. I adore the warm glow on an incandecent and thats the way I plan to keep it.

Maria said...

in Italy in some school we returned to eat in china plate and we have also tissue towel, incandescent light bulb are banned, we are ok for the planet we have to do something!
Maria

Pam~ Virginia Retro said...

Oh those light bulbs, I have some vintage shades with the wire clamp that clips on the round part of the bulb that don't work with the new shape, nuts!