Quote:
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Kentucky’s relationship with tobacco is part of a larger, long-standing culture that it is resistant to and fearful of change. The traditional southern diet of fat, sugar, more fat, some whiskey, a cigarette, lard, biscuits, and a heaping helping of watching other people exercise has led to the state’s health woes.
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I'm not sure if these are your words or a quote from the report - either way, I'd say it's a bit heavy on the side of stereotyping and would be offensive to many Kentuckians to whom this does not describe.
Break out the banjos boys, we're going to family reunion to look for love!
I dare guess that stepping outside your iEntry doors in Lexington with this rhetoric would get a good 'ole southern ... greeting?
That's not to say it doesn't have
some validity, but still paints a very negative and inappropriate picture of an entire citizenry, based on dated, biased stereotypes that many have been trying to break free from for generations.
I would venture to say that Kentucky's tolerance in allowing politicians to sell out our environment is a greater risk than the few to whom this dietary definition may apply. The govenor who spends less time in his own state, at our expense, is a good example of how our leadership plans to always fix things in the near future. I'm sure on his next trip to Asia, Europe, or Australia, he'll be thinking of our malnurished children.
We (Kentucky) spend the least amount of monies per student than any state in our region. Indiana, second worse in this area, out spends this state by 50% per student. This too is a priority of the govenor who allowed a state-wide crisis to occur when nearly every educator across the Commonwealth walked out on strike because their healthcare was hijacked; the governor saw fit to cut this expense while top officials enjoyed large salary increases.
The governor's latest pet project also did wonders for improving the quality of life for Kentucky. How much did we spend on the new license plate campaign? I'm sure most of us could give a hoot what's on the muddy bumpers of our cars. That is money that could have opened up a much needed health clinic in Eastern Kentucky. The governor is spending millions to research a possible downtown arena for Louisville. How much would that increase the per capita spending on our students?
While he's violating DC airspace, we're choking on the air here in Kentucky; not from tobacco, from industry that is given a blank check to do as they please because they pad the coffers of the capital cronies. Louisville disbanded the VET (Vehicle Emissions Testing) to save money and mitigate voter complaints. Just because we're not California, doesn't mean we shouldn't be cognizant of our air quality. Kentucky was once saturated with Native Americans who cared about the land - now we are surrounded by politicians who care only about profit.
You're right, we do need a change. We need to stand up as voters and hold ALL of these officials accountable; not just for their action, but also for their inactions. I don't blame Fletcher exclusively. Any official claiming to have their constituents best interest in mind while they increase their salaries, spend millions in special session for a crisis that never should've been allowed to occur - and the list is endless - should find new work! We should show them the unemployment line as many don't have any skills beyond being cunning political cons.
Your article raises some good points JMiller, but you'll have to pardon me whilst I whistle through my missing front teeth with exception as to how we are depicted - again, and unfairly. The sources who write these reports are funded (generally) by our tax dollars and I don't think they're about to correctly point blame (at the holder of the checkbook) when the stereotypes are so readily available.
{In my FEZ voice} I said good day!
:)
Rob
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