Putting the Brakes on Fast Food

           The National Issues Commission raises
and debates issues that plague America everyday. Many of their
proposals are directed toward schools and changing student lifestyle.
On Friday, Marielle of Albany YMCA proposed to eliminate all fast
food being served and advertised at schools. She suggests that all
schools sign up for the National School Lunch Program in order to
save money and reduce kids' calorie intake. One of the main arguments
used in the proposal was that using the program would lower obesity.
Marielle also stated that low-income families will be reimbursed for
their lunches.

           The counterarguments for this proposal
tested the feasibility of the bill. One person brought up the point
that all high school students are required to take a health course in
high school which specifies all the junk foods that they should
stay away from. Therefore, if a student decides to buy the fast food
offered at their school, it is a completely conscious decision that
should be up to their discretion. Another member of the National
Issues Commission brought up the fact that many high schools have
already banned the distribution of fast food.

           Even with all the points countering
her proposal, Marielle stayed strong and confident about her
proposal. She knew her facts about the National School Lunch Program
paying farmers directly to produce more food for their program. This
way the Program will have enough food to feed the low-income families
who can't afford to pay for school lunches.

           Both sides made good arguments and
only time can tell if Marielle's proposal will make it to Round 2. 

Sanjna Shukla [Fremont/Newark YMCA] and Andrew Northrup [Berkeley YMCA]