Food Deserts

[August1991]

Food deserts? (It's not a dessert.)

Wikipedia

This strikes me as a "rich world/champagne problem". Only in rich countries would people (typically Leftists) complain about "food deserts".

I reckon that if (some) people living in a rich society (with substantial government transfers) are so foolish that they choose to eat "bad" food, then what can I do for them? I would rather help people in poor countries who have some common sense.

IMHO, some people make bad decisions in life. Sometimes, the bad decision is simply an unlucky choice. But sometimes, the bad decision is repeated - this isn't chance. The people are making deliberately bad choices. Should I facilitate or aid or enable these bad choices?

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My tax dollars are scarce. I would frankly prefer to send them to a young girl in China or India who simply wants a bicycle to get to school rather than some 40 year old addict who has had every chance in life to make good decisions.

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The term "Food Desert" is a grotesque misnomer. Many smart individuals live in third world countries. And many idiots (who repeatedly make bad decisions) live in first world countries. If forced to choose, who should we collectively try to help?

Edited November 13, 2013 by August1991

[Boges]

An example of this would be people in the Arctic right?

[The_Squid]

An example of this would be people in the Arctic right?

leftist.

[August1991]

You both miss my basic moral question: should we in the West transfer our tax money to obese drug addicts who happen to be in our midst (since they are fellow citizens), or should we help (oppressed) young girls abroad?

An example of this would be people in the Arctic right?

If you choose to live on a distant island, far away from many other people, then presumably you accept the consequences of your choice.

But if you live among many people, and you can choose among them, then why should I help you in any way if you choose bad friends?

Edited November 15, 2013 by August1991

[cybercoma]

I choose obese drug addict.

[Michael Hardner]

I choose obese drug addict.

You will have to wait until 2014.

should we in the West transfer our tax money to obese drug addicts who happen to be in our midst (since they are fellow citizens), or should we help (oppressed) young girls abroad?

You make your decision, I'll make mine, and the group answer will fall out from all of our decisions.

[August1991]

I choose obese drug addict.

Such is modern Western society: "Sarcasm" is a signal of sophistication.

But what of "Irony"?

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Returning to my OP, how do we in the West help the millions, billions, around us understand "irony"?

Edited November 16, 2013 by August1991

[BubberMiley]

If you look at the status page, there are also right-wingers complaining about food desserts.

[DogOnPorch]

Meh...we're about to enter an era of humanity where antibiotics will have no effect what-so-ever. That will destroy the food supply on a global level.

[cybercoma]

If you look at the status page, there are also right-wingers complaining about food desserts.

*slow clap*