The Bad Boys Next Door..........

Our neighbors to the South, Mexico are currently fighting a vicious war against drug cartels. The violence keeps getting worse. It is sad and scary that these heinous crimes are happening so close to home. Why doesn’t this problem take more precedence with or press and government? We have brutal terrorist’s right next door!

“More than 15,000 narcotics-related homicides occurred in 2010 alone, an increase of almost two-thirds compared to 2009.” Travel.state.gov. “According to Government of Mexico figures, 34,612 people have been killed in narcotics-related violence in Mexico since December 2006.” It is estimated that some 300 tons of cocaine pass through Mexico to the U.S. yearly-Wikipedia .

The United States has made some effort to help fight the Mexican cartels. In June of 2008, the U.S. Congress passed legislation to provide Mexico with $400 million and Central American countries with $65 million in an agreement called “the Merida Initiative.” This funding was supposed to continue, in varying amounts, over the next three years. The funding was supposed to be used to purchase aircraft, surveillance software, and other goods produced by private contractors in the United States. In addition to providing equipment, the money was to be used by the Mexican military and law enforcement. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like these efforts are working.

In February of 2011, the president of Mexico, Felipe Calderon said that the U.S. government isn’t doing enough to help Mexico in its fight against drug cartels. He said that the U.S. government should help by reducing drug use in the United States. I hate to break it to Mr. Calderon, but he is stating the obvious.

I’m not real sure what we can do to better this situation. I find it bothersome that these cartels seem to have such an upper hand. I certainly think this issue is more important than some of the other worldly affairs we are involved in at the present time. It is no wonder we have so many immigrants trying to illegally relocate their lives to our country. In addition to the poverty problems they face, they also have to be afraid of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This war should become more of a priority.

The FDA strikes again.......

“Ideas on America”, by Jaime has an interesting blog titled, “Risk of Imported Foods”. I don’t understand why we can’t use our own resources instead of other countries. We are blessed to have a country with almost all varieties of terrains. What do really need from other countries that we can’t grow here?

So these other countries are sending us their pick of poison, pesticides, so that we can send them our money instead of supporting local famers? The good ol FDA has got our backs on this one right?-WRONG! These other countries are not held to the “standards” that our country holds for food safety.

In addition to the plethora of diseases we can’t cure, there is a major uprising of severe food allergies in our country. My two children both are highly allergic to a couple different foods, (neither me nor my husband are). No one knows the cause. Because of this, I don’t buy anything, knowingly, that is internationally transported. I can barely trust our own regulations, much less those of another country!

Another point made in Jaime’s blog is that the food isn’t as fresh. It would be great if we could just support our local farmers instead of outsourcing. The faster locally grown food can sell, the less poison, eh hem, I mean pesticide we will consume.

I agree that the funding we use for the transport of imported foods could go towards the FDA, so that they can be more thorough on our inspections and regulations. I don’t mean to sound selfish, but when are we going to start focusing on taking care of our own country? Thank you Jaime for a most interesting blog!

Café FDA- Today’s Special- Carcinogens

Almost everyone in America has in some way been affected by cancer. Instead of trying to cure this horrible disease with painful and often ineffective treatments, why aren’t we focusing on the causes? How much research is actually being done on the prevention? Is cancer being served to us daily at the dinner table?

Carcinogens are found in all sorts of products that we use daily. Deodorants, soaps, shampoo, cleaning products, and yes, our foods, all contain these chemicals. Dyes, added to our food have been shown in studies to cause cancer. These dyes are still added to our foods to look more appealing. Sadly, this is aimed at our kids in many products. Where is the FDA?

There are studies that show links between these consumed chemicals and other health issues also, such as ADHD, obesity, and food allergies.

Why does the government allow miscellaneous chemicals to be ingredients in our food? Countries in the European Union follow a precautionary principle to protect their consumers. So, if something hasn't been tested to be safe, it's not sold. Companies make two formulations: one "safe" version of the product for the E.U. (and China) and one "questionable" ingredients version of the product for the U.S. Is it too much to ask the FDA and the processed food companies, such as Kraft for example, for the same value to be placed on the lives of the American kids that has been placed on the lives of kids in the UK? Manufacturers are scared to remove these sketchy ingredients in the American versions in fear of potentially being sued after admitting there was something wrong with their product in the first place.

The more I read about the possible carcinogens in our products, foods and materials we are exposed to daily, including the air we breathe and the water we drink, it angers, shocks and depresses me. Doesn’t our government care about us? Whose side is the FDA on? The American people, who rely on them for protection against harm or the big manufacturer’s who’s main goal is one thing…………………money.