older the average individual is overburdened

older the average individual is overburdened by an increase in weight. It is important therefore to establish proper eating habits from an early age. It is simplistic to say that if your cholesterol is normal you can eat a high cholesterol diet.

Weight is only one of the factors: cholesterol, fat, Cigarettes, and alcohol rank even higher. What is to be done with these self-indulgent, self-inflicting health-damaging factors? The present economic threat to social security and health care services and a great part of pur budgetary deficit can beeliminated if the tax on cigarettes and alcohol is increased commensurate with Ife&flanKfi age they produce. The buyer oTlhese products should pay not only for the product but also for the predictable damage they are sure to produce in the ftiture. Cardiac transplants, liver transplants, bypass operations, balloon angioplasty and many new techniques to rescue the profligate public will eventually bankrupt the health services.

In 1971, B. F. Skinner, the eminent and controversial behavioral psychologist, asked the question in the book Beyond Freedom and Dignity: “Can we afford Freedom?” The answer in the year 2000 will be a resounding, “No” unless there is a radical change in the lifestyle of most Americans. Imposing legislated prohibitions is repugnant in a democracy such as ours yet limits will have to be place on the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and even cholesterol if our way of life is to survive. The younger generation is already overburdened with the responsibility of the budgetary deficit for years to come. Their newly found conservatism may spill over into a more disciplined way of life which will spare them the ravages of these self-indulgent diseases and needless experimental surgery.

BERNARD E. NUNEZ

Castleton