After analyzing Radley Balko's article, "What You Eat Is Your Business," I would like to give my explanation of why this article should be posted in the next edition of "The Shorthorn." Considering the rhetorical appeals of Balko's article, I believe that most readers of "The Shorthorn" would be interested in things that could potentially affect their health and lifestyle. When it comes to the topic of obesity, nearly all members of the UTA community will readily agree that something has to be done for ending this crisis and bettering the health of their country's people.
In his article, Radley Balko's central claim is that the government should foster personal responsibility and it is up to the individuals to become fit and make the right food choices on their own. He opines that obesity is not an issue of public health. "What You Eat Is Your Business" provides sufficient reasons and evidence to support the argument that Balko states in his article. .
Obesity is a hot topic and debated regularly. The main argument is whether obesity should be a personal issue or whether the government should take action to modify every individual's health choices, essentially forcing a healthier lifestyle on the population. Balko argues that diet, exercise, and personal health should be kept personal. It is not the government's job to overcome. He believes that "Instead of manipulating or intervening in the array of food options available to American consumers, our government ought to be working to foster a sense of responsibility in and ownership of our own health and well-being. " .
Balko, using the emotional appeal, insists that we are becoming less responsible for our own health and more responsible for everyone else's. It is a trend that he believes will not foster positive changes since there is no incentive "to put down the cheeseburger " if the government is paying for the individual's anti-cholesterol medication.
