Food Habits Conversation: David Zinczenko vs. Radley Balko

Radley Balko and David Zinczenko accidentally bump into each other in front of a McDonalds when walking around a shopping center.

Radley: “Hey, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

David: “No, it’s okay, don’t worry about it.”

Radley: “Hey, aren’t you David Zinczenko; the editor-in-chief of Men’s Health and the author of Eat This, Not That?”

David: “Yes, that’s me.  I recognize you too. You’re Radley Balko; the senior editor of Reason. “

Radley: “I’d love to talk to you about food habits. Do you have a few minutes?”

David:” Sure, where do you want to talk?”

Radley: “Well, ironically, we’re in front of a McDonald’s. I think that’s the perfect place to discuss food habits.”

David: “Ok, let’s go in there, but I am just getting water.”

Radley: “Same here.”

Radley and David get water and sit down at a table inside McDonalds.

David: “Would you look at all these poor children and their parents. Most of them are overweight and they continue to eat these high-calorie foods without even knowing how many calories they’re in taking. This is why the government should intervene when it comes to having health care for people who do have medical problems caused by obesity.”

Radley: “What do you mean?”

David: “What I’m saying is that it is difficult for people to live a healthy life style. They’re thousands of McDonald’s around, but where can they go to find a grapefruit? These fast-food companies don’t even show the costumers how many calories are in the food they are consuming. In the past eight years, medical problems caused by obesity, like Type 2 diabetes, has more than tripled in the percentage of children who have it. ”

Radley: “So you’re saying that these children are being pulled into going to these fast-food restaurants when there is not time to make meals because they are so available and that the government has to pay for the people who have medical problems due to obesity?”

David: “Exactly! The fast-food companies are luring children into their fast-food restaurants by giving them toys in their happy meals that don’t have warning labels even though these products do have proven health hazards. The government must pay for their illnesses because they’re not many alternatives to buying fast-food and there is not much information about what they are eating provided to them”

Radley: “I disagree with you David. I believe that since these adults are giving their children and themselves unhealthy food on a daily basis that they should face the consequences by paying for their own medical protection.”

David: “Why do you believe this?”

Radley: “More and more over the years, America’s health care system is helping with more socialist issues. The way people take care of themselves has become a problem to the public health system.”

David: “How is this possible?”

Radley: “Democratic candidates keep pushing health care coverage for all citizens. Now, when people get heart disease and need anti-cholesterol medication, the government is paying for it.

David: “So you believe that nothing is stopping people from making bad choices because the government will just pay for them.”

Radley: “Exactly! People will continue to make bad choices if they don’t have to pay for it. If people actually had to pay for health care, they would stop making bad choices and eat healthier.”

David: “Even though I do not agree with your argument, I still believe it is valid. I really enjoyed talking to you Radley, but I have to get going now.”

Radley: “I feel the same way towards your argument. I enjoyed talking to you too!”

Radley and David leave McDonald’s.

Thesis Statement: All people should get free health care when having illnesses for any and all reasons. People don't become obese because they know they won't have to pay for their health care but because they enjoy eating and have an addiction to food. They're not thinking about the consequence of having to pay for their illness if they get one.