Should I Eat Today?

If you want to see how a Conservative talking point can be taken to the level of absurdity, look no further than salt, yes salt. Much debate about salt levels in our diet, the health effects and some pressure on Health Canada to better mandate to industry a more responsible approach. A new study just out finds salt levels in foods are higher in Canada relative to other jurisdictions, a fact which demonstrates companies can manage salt levels in foods. The study also reveals that other countries have stiffer standards, which contributes to the disparity. Enter the hilarity from Health Canada in response:

"We support a flexible approach... ...an especially important consideration given the current fragile economic recovery"

Let that statement stew around in your brain for a few seconds. It's one thing for Conservatives to favour a voluntary approach, it fits within the theology revolving around intervention. However, to actual posit a potential economic hardship as rationale, that is mind numbing. Follow the logic then, should we mandate salt levels in food, Canadians will stop eating and this will have a detrimental effect on the economy. I was going to eat food today, but since it has 30% less salt, I'm going to pass. Hello. The Conservatives actually turn a debate about health- within that a staple known as FOOD- into a choice between jobs or legislation. You can have less salt, but it could plunge Canada back into recession, because somehow humans no longer need food to survive.

These Conservatives, just when you think they can't possibly blow your mind anymore, they find new and novel ways. In solidarity, I'm off to eat a bag of pretzels to help buffet Canada from the sea of economic troubles lapping at our shores.