The Diet Distraction Documented

The Politico has an attractive story called Members battle the bulge. However, if you're hoping this is a piece on the proposed multi-trillion dollar budget, this isn't it. Instead, this is a piece on why the American people, members of congress, and lobbyists tend to be gaining more weight in the economic downturn, while reporters remain in good health through increasingly troubling times.

“Health experts say the economic downturn has wreaked havoc on Americans’ diets, as people cancel gym memberships, dine at fast-food restaurants and, in some cases, take on additional work hours as companies shrink their work forces.” (emphasis added)

“Members say endless lunchtime meetings, heavy travel schedules and late-night hours have caused traffic to pick up both in the Senate gym and at the cafeteria salad bar.” (emphasis added)

“But her most unhealthy clients aren’t politicians; they’re lobbyists. Tallmadge says many former Hill employees gain weight after taking jobs on K Street, where the workday often means more restaurant meals, less walking and often, a parking space in the office building.” (emphasis added)

“The most in-shape people on the Hill: the reporters. Tallmadge says one of her journalist clients has clocked in an average of 17,000 steps a day while scrambling for interviews.” (emphasis added)

Question the source. Who are the health experts, and what are there reasons? Which members of congress? The article cites Sen. DeMint and Rep. Barney Frank, but congress has 535 members! That’s 533 members not mentioned.

What makes Tallmadge more credible than the journalist who wrote the article, Erika Lovley? Are journalists so credible that referencing themselves boosts, rather than reduce, their credibility? Yet, the media constantly plays this elementary game called telephone.

Wouldn’t truly harsh economic times force people to diet? If an American has to live on a tighter budget, I’d expect him or her cut spending on the food budget. Less food means that people gain less weight. As Marty Seifer says, “When the water hole dries up, the game start looking at each other differently.” Perhaps in these tough American times modern journalists would say something like, "When the water hole dries up, everyone starts stuffing themselves, except the magnificent journalists who work hard policing the situation before it gets out of hand."