My main argument was that this is a complex issue. Those selling food want us to buy their unhealthy food, and those selling images lead us to want to imitate those images. These are conflicting forces that cause people some confusion (perhaps those that have examined the situation have escaped this confusion, but that involves a more complex argument). Then there is the complication of regulation and corporate responsibility versus personal responsibility. You stated that some healthier alternatives to food additives have been banned by the FDA. On the flip side, there are agencies and groups pushing for the ban of trans-fats, soda is schools, and any number of other substances that can be deemed unhealthy. Is that good or bad?

Not so much an argument, just a note to think about:
For the most part it seems to me that people are simply reacting the the environment as they always have. Your bodies are designed to crave fatty sweet things and some people can get beyond that natural reaction. That’s not a societal issue, its a human issue. Those things that were rare through most of human history are all too common now, and its killing people.
It actually kind of surprises me that some people can go against instinct and eat healthy and exercise regularly. Isn’t free will wonderful.

By the way, where did you find the “nifty” Latin quote?

And yes, I suppose I did make an ignoratio elenchi. I should have said Ad hominem, but the strawman was there too. But perhaps I’m being too pedantic.

And I suppose, Lance, that I can, with equal validity, interpret your statement as “I’m a filthy neo-con.” ? School yard arguments aside though, I’d have to say that working-class idealists can exist and succeed, but they have to be willing to drag others up to their standards. And those that refuse to be dragged should be crushed under the higher quality work and standards that we heave upon them.

As for health, moderation is definitely the key. But as the adage “all things in moderation” would imply, its not as simple an equation as just balancing junk food and healthy food. Many things such as exercise have to fit in too. You speak about your eating habits, but a large part of my initial argument was people watching TV and not exercising. I would have to again argue that this is at least equally important.

Your note about the upper class valuing gluttony and sloth just exemplifies how long this flawed mindset has been around. Just because something is the norm does not make it right though.