Western diet/lifestyle diseases lead to the extension of misery, not welfare

Listening to this Think podcast on KERA made me think about how Western diet/lifestyle diseases (type II diabetes, IBS, obesity) reflect the worst tendencies that we have in terms of extending misery rather than promoting welfare. We're political even in the way that we die!

I've often wanted a clarification when somebody claims to have no political views. You may be apolitical and apathetic but is it a propos?

If you drive on a highway, your transportation is facilitated by pure politics.

When you fuel your body with corn syrup, light beer, tobacco, and partially hydrogenated oils,

you stand on the shoulders of political giants. I realize that very few (if any) individuals declare, "I support the continuation of Nixon's corn subsidies!" every time they buy a 99^c soda. But the connection is patently there.