Here We Go Again

I see the White House has pressured Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and "sister" restaurant to cut down on portions, "evil" ingredients like salt, and offer substitutes for fries. OK, we have an obesity problem, no doubt. In fact, I think it's understated, but that's not the point here.

If Red Lobster and Olive Garden are going to cut back, will their prices also be lowered? Hmmm. Why do I think not?

And I see the schools are getting into the health stuff, too. They are discouraging cookies in packed lunches. Well, other "evil" foods, too, are being targeted. All this, like the White House initiative, is being done in the name of fighting obesity. Again, OK, we have an obesity problem and it's noble to be fight it, but the schools would have a lot more credibility if they didn't also cut their physical education requirements. (Of course, "We're there for the kids," except when that conflicts with money matters. "Money" always trumps "kids.")

I note that Wendy's has cranked up its prices. There are few sandwiches on the dollar menu. Instead, they are as much as $1.39 and $1.59. Just last fall and winter I was buying the dollar menu burgs--they aren't a dollar any more. But, 39- and 59-cent increases? Hmmm...who's going to be the first one to throw out the latest trendy word, "Greedy?" No, only Big Oil, the bankers, and Wall Street are greedy. The plumber who charged me $250 for a job that took him barely an hour (more than I make in a week--about 7 or 8 hours of work--at one of the colleges!) Now, is he, too, "greedy?" Or can only certain people be greedy? I'll have to look that up.