Coke addicts

Those of you who know me well know that I can get little off kilter sometimes. I've been called "bent", "spun" and other such endearing terms. I call it free-thinking and spirited. No matter how you define it (and me) I ALWAYS keep an open mind and am interested in opposing viewpoints. It's true I can get a little dogmatic and I do not open this topic to cast judgment- people will choose to do what they like - God knows I have my vices (good red wine and the occasional cigarette). I'm predicting a rash of complaints but.... I implore you to give up your addiction to soda. I raise this point only because I give a crap. Soda - containing caffeine, sugar, corn syrup, aspartame (diet), acids, preservatives and other artificial ingredients- is (controversially) blamed as a contributing culprit in many health problems afflicting those who imbibe; obesity, heart disease, diabetes, calcium deficiency, migraine headaches, hyperactivity, insomnia, kidney stones, heartburn, & rotten teeth to name a few. Obviously there are other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate these conditions and, granted, we'll all die of something, but ditching the soda is a good start to mitigating these problems. Problems that tax our already dire health care system. A corollary point appeals to your humanitarian sensibilities. Two varieties of the cola nut required to make coca cola are grown almost exclusively in countries in Western and Central Africa, some of which are run by wicked and corrupt leaders. Follow then that the massive soda industry is subsidizing and enabling these wretches to brutalize their citizens. This theory can be applied to everything we do and buy - gas in our cars cost human lives in oil-rich countries, clothes on our backs are made using child-slave labor, and so on. Every choice we make has an impact. Think about it - social awareness is good for our health.