A Sickly Economy is Caused by Sickly People

A great contributing factor to a sluggish economy is sluggish people. In his book "Thrive Fitness" Brendan Brazier highlights this simple cause that has the potential for great devastation.

It is becoming more and more clear that the U.S. is less competitive in the global market. This is greatly due to the American people being in a poorer state of health. In his book Brendan outlines how the economy declines as the health of the people declines. To start, sickly people are not at productive in their day to day work. Also, as more people become sick, there is a burden on the taxpayer healthcare system. This causes taxes to increase and a decrease in spending. There are other contributing factors, such as the shady mortgages that people were being sold, but the bottom line is that sluggish people lead to a sluggish economy.

Some very successful companies understand this. One of these companies is Google. Googleplex in Santa Clara, California has incredible amenities for its employees. Recreation facilities equal to those of a high end resort: swimming pools, gym's, beach volleyball courts and more. Most importantly they have incredible culinary options.There are multiple cafeterias with a vast varies of food, including vegan plant based options, raw foods and smoothies. In addition to all of this employees can order whatever they want, even if it's not on the menu.

Google isn't doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. They understand the return on investment, and that the bottom line has been great since they implemented this in 2003.

Each individual, whether they realize or not, is contributing to the health of this nations economy; whether we are helping to improve it or make it more sickly. Its our responsibility to be aware of this and in our own lives do what we can to bring about improvements. One person can not do it alone, but collectively a difference can be made.

Gary Johnson for President

Gary Johnson is a third party candidate for the 2012 Presidential election. He is running under the libertarian party. Many people have not heard of him because he is excluded from debates and main stream media.

During college he started a one man handy man business, which then grew into one of New Mexico's largest construction businesses. He later became governor of New Mexico. When he entered office the economic situation in New Mexico was very bad, and when he left after his second term he left the state with a large surplus budget.

The main attributer to this is his record breaking use of the veto. He said with every bill he looked at the cost-benefit ration, and if it was not beneficial he would slash it. He decreased the size of the New Mexico government and did not raise taxes.

He is running for President on the libertarian idea that a smaller government allows the people the freedom to prosper.

As a voter, I feel that if he can make drastic improvements as the governor of a state, then he could do the same as the president of our country.

Unlike the other candidates for presidency, he has demonstrated the principles he is campaigning on, and has shown that they are effective.

With that said, my vote is for Gary Johnson in 2012.

Arsenic in the Rice

Recent analysis of brown rice, grown in the United States, is showing to contain an unsafe amount of arsenic. One of the main causes of this is the bodies that have been embalmed and buried underground for years and years. The arsenic from the embalming process is seeping up into the soil and making its way into the rice that we eat.

The FDA, as well as independent Consumer Reporters, are collecting data and testing the rice to see how much inorganic arsenic is contained within the rice. Both agencies found that some of the rice has more arsenic in one serving then what the Environmental Protection Agency states is safe for an entire quart of drinking water.

The FDA declined to name specific brands while they conduct more extensive research over the next few months. On the other hand, Consumer Reports released the name of the rice agencies that contained the highest amount of arsenic. They include Martin Long Grain Brown rice, Della Basmati Brown, Caroline Whole Grain Brown, Jazzmen Louisiana Aromatic Brown and Whole Foods 365 Everyday Value Long Gran Brown rice.

Although the FDA advises consumers to not change eating habits, every individual needs to make that decision for them-self. In addition to avoiding rice itself, there are also rice cakes, cereal, cereal bars, rice drinks and even some juices that contain high levels of this arsenic rice.

It is essential that as consumers we are aware of what we are feeding both our families and ourselves.