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YOU CAN NOW COMMENT ON STORIES AND POLLS<br />
LET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUES.<br />
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NEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />
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The federal government is informing U.S. schools they must lower the fat, salt and sugar to provide students with more nutritious eating options and to fight childhood obesity.<br />
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Congress passed legislation in 2010 designed to improve child nutrition. Schools will have until July 1, 2014, to implement the new rules.<br />
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The new regulations will impact around 50 million children in more than 100,000 schools that are part of the federal school lunch program.<br />
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The standards only apply to foods and beverages sold on school campuses during the day, and limit vending machine snacks to a maximum of 200 calories per item, and twelve-ounce drinks cannot exceed 60 calories.<br />
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Portion sizes for meals will vary by the age groups of the children being served.<br />
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Food sold at after-school activities, such as sporting events, will not be subject to the regulations.<br />
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The federal government hopes to make a dent in childhood obesity in a nation where one-third of those under age 18 are considered overweight or obese. One of the governments concerns is that obesity will limit young adults from being eligible from joining the military, so improving food options in schools will also strengthen the nation's armed forces.<br />
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All foods sold must meet competitive nutrient standards, meaning they must have fruits, vegetables, dairy or protein in them, or contain at least 10 percent of the daily value of calcium, potassium, vitamin D or dietary fiber.<br />
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School officials have expressed concern that the &quot;complex regulations</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">&quot;</span> could burden schools already working to offer healthier menus. Many schools are still working to push though earlier regulations overhauling school meals like breakfast and lunch.<br />
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The guidelines set a minimum standard for snacks, meaning schools can implement stricter rules.<br />
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NEW POLL QUESTION:<br />
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Should the federal government be determining what to serve, serving size, and the content of meals in Michigan schools?<br />
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Yes<br />
No<br />
Undecided<br />
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TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />
http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/should-federal-government-be-determining-what-serve-serving-size-and-content-meals-michigan-<br />
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(To enter your comments click on </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">&quot;</span>Add new comment</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">&quot;</span> after you vote.)<br />
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PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />
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Should the Michigan Senate return and hold a vote on the passage of Medicaid Expansion the Governor is demanding?<br />
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Yes - 20%<br />
No - 80%<br />
Undecided - 0%<br />
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Total votes: 55<br />
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TWO COMMENT WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION:<br />
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COMMENT #1<br />
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Senator Emmons Fundraiser at F C Mason<br />
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It was good to talk with Sen. Emmons again last night at her Fundraiser at F C Mason Company HQ in St. Johns. She is a solid NO vote on Medicaid Expansion. She appreciated me talking with her about this and other issues and I urged her to be steadfast in her opposision. She reminded me that she talked in opposition to Medicaid back last winter when she attended and spoke at a CCRP County Convention.<br />
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There were some Republicans at the Fundraiser who are part of the health care industry who lobbied her to vote YES. Its too bad that only 3 members of CCRP Executive Committee came out to support her at this Fundraiser. Rep. Tom Leonard was also in attendance . She is our sitting State Senator and will continue to be through 2014, representing Clinton County. She looks forward to attending the CCRP Summer BBQ next month.<br />
Regards,<br />
Bob Craig<br />
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COMMENT #2<br />
Medicaid Expansion<br />
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The fed. govt. cannot be trusted. The amt. said to be given by the Fed. govt. will never be given. They do not have it. We are 17.6 Trillion in debt. No part of Obama care is good or good for Michigan. Just don't vote on any of it. We don't want to spend any of our money on this idiot plan. For a senator to say, no tax money will be spent is deplorable. It is Fed. money; that proves that person is a dolt. ALL govt. money is TAKEN from we the people thru. our taxes!!! No govt. has any money--that it does not take from the taxpayers.<br />
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Ida S.<br />
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