Quality Control

The control of quality generally refers to manufacturing processes to ensure a desirable end product. Those of you familiar with my thoughts know that I intend to put a twist on this term. I suggest that there is another, perhaps more important, definition: to ensure quality, we must control ourselves. “We” meaning you, me, and the rest of our society. Some behaviors may apply while others do not. Regardless, we need to take greater control over our physical and societal well-being or suffer the consequence of either a nanny-state or steady degradation.

Let’s start with our physical selves. We eat what we want to eat and when we want to eat it. We care not about nutritional information nor where our food came from nor whether it was properly processed. Burger King had it spot-on when they coined the phrase “have it your way” and we’ve taken that mantra to new heights. All of a sudden, seemingly, we are obese. Roughly 30% (more or less depending on location) of us are overweight. Yet we continue to gorge with nary a thought to the ramifications both to ourselves and those around us. Restaurants and such are averse to publicize the ingredients and nutritional data for their menus claiming that such regulatory intrusion is unwarranted. “We’re giving them what they want and the market will decide our fate”, they shout.

The tobacco industry is no different: it has known for decades of the deleterious effects of smoking yet claim that it is merely providing a product the customer wants. Alcohol? Same thing. The drug war continues with no end in sight and little hope of victory in its present form. Drug use in the U.S. remains high and we are the world’s best customer when it comes to illegal substances. The physical cost of drug addiction cannot be more clear and the social cost in crime and loss of productivity is equally destructive. Yet we continue to crave.

Within the greater, outside world (society) we spurn helmet laws yet ride our cycles without reasonable protection. We reject national programs such as universal health care yet fail to insure ourselves. This is all well and good until we suffer injuries from our lackadaisical ways and then expect the same previously despised organizations to come to our aid. We live in flood plains without flood insurance and ask for a federal helping hand when the river once again breeches its banks. We want a clean and safe Gulf of Mexico, but don’t want to stop drilling because we’d lose money.

We have stopped controlling ourselves, folks, and the quality of our lives is suffering as a result. We cannot look to companies or marketers for protection as they are only interested in convincing us that “new and improved” really means something of value. Without our self control we have only those that regulate our society (the government) to institute controls that may mitigate our shortsightedness. The idea of a nanny-state, however, doesn’t sit well in a free society, does it? No, but we must use that freedom to our benefit rather than fritter it away on hedonistic pursuits.

Small stuff, you say. The world is going to hell in a hand-basket and you want me to think twice about what I eat and how I live my life? Exactly! Because those choices we make directly affect how soon that hand-basket reaches its destination. Many of the poorer choices we’ve made over the years have resulted in various rules and regulations. The latest is legislation in an attempt to curb child obesity. It has stalled due to resistance from the food industry. What a shock.

Am I suggesting that we lead a spartan, puritanical life? Not in the least. But I urge everyone to think about the consequences of your daily choices. Fast food burgers and the like are fine from time to time, but a daily diet leads to a place where few of us would embrace. And the same applies to the things we watch or buy or rely upon to pass the time. Enjoy your life today, but keep an eye on tomorrow, too.