Vegetarians Receive Discount Healthcare in the Netherlands

Vegetarians are less likely to have coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, and some forms of cancer. In a 2006 survey with the National Center for Health Statistics, 140 million American adults age 20 or older are overweight, with 72 million being men and 68 million women. 30 million men and 36 million women are obese. African American women are leading with 79.6% being overweight and 51.1% are obese. Mexican American women are running close behind in obesity at 39.4%, and Mexican American men are 74.6% overweight. In adolescents age 6-11, being overweight has risen from 4% between 1971-1974 to 17.5% in 2006. In adolescents age 12-19, it rose from 6% to 17%. The United States has the heaviest body mass index population over 30 on the planet, with 30.6%. With statistics like these, why is it that in America, vegetarians are not given a break when it comes to health insurance?

Netherlands News:

The Netherlands, which has 10% of BMI over 30, is the first country where vegetarians get discount health insurance. This policy, VegePolis, has the motto that people who choose not to eat meat live a healthier lifestyle. The Netherlands is considering health insurance policies for nonsmokers and people who don't smoke or drink. Niko Koffeman, an animal-rights activist and entrepreneur, believes that people with healthier lifestyles should be able to reap the financial benefits of it. This policy was introduced by Agis Zorgverzekeringen and Stichting PreventiePolis. Besides advantages in health insurance, members get 10% discounts on vegetarian dinners at restaurants affiliated with the Netherland's vegetarian union. A portion of insurance revenues goes to animal welfare groups. With the healthcare issues in America along with health issues, it looks like Americans need to take note from the Netherlands. Although I'm not fond of the idea of spending 80% of the speaking time of all parties in parliament being dominated by the theme of animal rights to be copied in America, which has a world of other issues, I do believe that this should be a more popular topic, specifically in states like Michigan that find hunting season to be the joy of the year, yet another reason why I hated Marquette, Michigan so much during my undergraduate years.

According to Evana.org, on June 12, Niko Koffeman was inaugurated as the first animal rights senator in the world. Dutch animal rights politicians are continuously trying to inspire more Party for the Animal political rights groups. Preparation and assimiliation for Party for the Animal groups have already been started in UK, Germany, Spain, France and Canada, and Austria. Party chairwoman and Member of Parliament, Marianne Thieme, was voted Political Talent of the Year 2006 by the Dutch parliamentary press. She was also voted "most influential woman for the income of farmers in the Netherlands" by the biggest Dutch agricultural magazine. Women's magazine, Viva, awarded her the title of "Most Spicy Politician of the Netherlands".

Vegetarians and Vegans Around the World:

Philosophers, Spiritual Leaders: Socrates (Greek Philosopher), Zoroaster (Iranian, founder of Zoroastrianism), Muhammad Al-Ghazali (Iranian Islamic scholar and Sufi Saint), Muhammad Rahiim Bawa Muhaiyadeen (Sri Lankan Islamic author and Sufi Saint), Confucius (Chinese philosopher), Jesus Christ (If you don't know who this is, all I can do is shake my head at you)

Writers, Artists, and Painters: Leonardo da Vinci (Italian painter), Ralph Waldo Emerson (US essayist and poet), Mark Twain (US writer)

Scientists, Inventors, and Engineers: Albert Einstein (German scientist), Thomas Edison (US scientist and inventor), Sir Isaac Newton (British scientist), Henry Ford (US founder of Ford Motors)

Politicians, Statespersons, and Activitists: Susan B. Anthony (US leader of Woman's Suffrage Movement), Mahatma Gandhi (Indian Civil Rights leaders), Coretta Scott King (American Civil Rights leader and activist, wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

Actors, Film Stars, and TV Stars: Pamela Anderson (US actress), Danny Devito (US actor), Cameron Diaz (US actress), Richard Gere (US actor), Dustin Hoffman (US actor), Demi Moore (US actress), Brad Pitt (US actor), Gwyneth Paltrow (US actress), Steven Seagal (US actor), Brooke Shields (US model/actress), Jerry Seinfeld (US actor)

Pop Stars and Musicians: Bob Dylan (US musician), Michael Jackson (US pop and R&B star), Sinead O'Connor (Irish singer), Pink (US singer), Prince (US pop and R&B star), Justin Timberlake (US pop and R&B singer), Tina Turner (US pop star), Shania Twain (Canadian singer), Vanessa Williams (US pop singer)

Sports Personalities: Billie Jean King (US Tennis champion), Bill Walton (US basketball player), Carl Lewis (US 9-time Olympic Gold medalist in track and field), Edwin C. Moses (US 2-time Gold medalist in track and field), Elena Walendzik (German boxing champion), Alexander Dargatz (German athlete, body-building champion, physician)

Models: Christie Brinkley (US supermodel), Christy Turlington (US supermodel)

Protein Concentration Facts (according to http://AL.Godsdirectcontactorg.tw):

Tofu (from soya) 16%
Glutein (from flour) 70%
Corn 13%
Rice 8.6%
Soy beans, kidney beans, chick peas, lentils, etc. (10-35%)
Almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazel nuts, pine nuts, etc. (14-30%)
Pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. (18-24%)
Concentrated multi-vitamin tablets/capsules are a good source of minerals and anti-oxidants.
Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and high-quality fiber.