Which “product” is superior?

But is diabetes a product? That is the question. SNL aired a spoof about the complaints that some Americans have about the new Chinese-made iPhone 5. (see video below) Three fictitious spokespeople from the tech industry shared their paltry complaints. Then, they brought out three peasant workers from an Apple factory in China—and they responded to the complaints. One complaint was “even though we asked for a thinner and lighter iPhone, this new iPhone 5 is just too light and too thin.”

To wrap up the segment, the host asked if the Chinese factory workers had any complaints about American-made products. At first they were stumped—and couldn’t think of anything that Americans made. Audience laughs. Finally, the male worker asked:

“Does diabetes count as a product? If not, we may have to get back to you.”

The new iPhone 5 — too thin, too light

As I have often said, many a truth is said in jest. But this one speaks volumes to the undisputed global leadership when it comes to the “disease care” industry.

Now, weighing in at over 18% of our entire economy (GDP), the world of promoting—then managing disease has become our claim to fame all across the world. No other country even comes close.

Without a doubt, we win the sweepstakes when it comes to the global marketing of the toxic western diet—the primary driver of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, COPD, restless leg syndrome and hundreds more. With internationally renowned brand titans like KFC, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Frito-Lay, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Burger King—how could any other nation even think about equaling the damage we have done?

Here’s the way I see it. If there were a total of 100 points scored in the “make the world sick” global sweepstakes, I would wager that the final score would be something like:

United States 75 —- Rest of the world 25

Now for your viewing pleasure, the iPhone 5 skit (about 5 minutes)

Live from New York—It’s Saturday Night!

Consecutive Daily Blogs (numerals from Texas, home of many beef-loving cowboys who wish us vegan-types would take a hike)

Occasionally, it’s time for a little humor on this blog. Actually, this is the third (out of 621 blogs) whose primary message is humorous. Even so, all three of these blogs have also carried a powerful health-promoting element along with the humor. The other two blogs:

• June 6, 2012. Jon Stewart on the Queen, “Sixty years on the throne?”
• July 24, 2011. It’s time for a little levity on a Sunday morning
• A serious post about diabetes. Got Type 2 Diabetes? “Get rid of it,” says Dr. Ornish
• Another one. Connecting the dots: FOOD . obesity . diabetes . Alzheimer’s!

Handy 4-piece take-charge-of-your-health kit—from Amazon.com

• The movie that’s changing the lives of millions: Forks Over Knives DVD 
• Healthy Eating, Healthy World, The “big picture” about food (our book)
• An essential scientific resource: The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell
• Dr. McDougall’s new book, The Starch Solution, with lots of great recipes.

Want to find out how healthy your family is eating? Take our free 4Leaf Diagnostic Survey. It takes less than five minutes and you can score it yourself. After taking the survey, please give me your feedback as it will be helpful in the development of our future 4Leaf app for smartphones. Send feedback to jmorrishicks@me.com

International. We’re now reaching people in over 100 countries. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or get daily blog notices by “following” us in the top of the right-hand column. For occasional updates, join our periodic mailing list.

J. Morris Hicks, working daily to promote health, hope and harmony on planet Earth.

For help in your own quest to take charge of your health, you might find some useful information at our 4Leaf page or some great recipes at Lisa’s 4Leaf Kitchen.

Got a question? Let me hear from you at jmorrishicks@me.com. Or give me a call on my cell at 917-399-9700.

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Blogging daily at hpjmh.com…from the seaside village of Stonington, Connecticut – Be well and have a great day.

—J. Morris Hicks, board member, T. Colin Campbell Foundation