To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate

You can buy soda with food stamps but not toothpaste and brush

Tell Congress to make one simple change to improve the health of many Americans: STOP ALLOWING food stamps to be used to buy soda. DO ALLOW food stamps to used to buy a tooth brush and toothpaste.

Soda is not a food; its consumption has been linked to 10 serious diseases that drive up healthcare costs in America. There is NO reason taxpayer dollars should fund soda for citizens on food stamps. But all Americans should have the fundamental right to a toothbrush and toothpaste!

Why is this important?

A man on food stamps with a toothache pointed out a terrible irony: He can buy soda with food stamps, but not a toothbrush and tooth paste!

We all agree: Health care costs are too high, the deficit is too big, taxes are too high, government should cut wasteful spending. Here's an idea: "Think Small."

If Congress makes one simple change, it could greatly improve the health of many Americans. It's this: Congress, STOP ALLOWING food stamps to be used for soda; DO ALLOW food stamps to be used for toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Soda is not even a food; it is the opposite of nutritious and has been linked to 10 diseases:
1. Extra pounds/obesity*
2. Liver damage/ increased risk for liver cirrhosis
3. Tooth decay (liquid sugar is even worse for teeth than candy)
4. Kidney stones and chronic kidney disease
5. Diabetes
6. Heartburn and acid reflux
7. Soft Bones = osteoporosis
8. Hypertension (high blood pressure) It doesn't matter if the soda is regular or diet.
9. Heart disease/metabolic syndrome
10. Impaired digestion (GI distress)

*Note: Artificial sweeteners in diet soda also induce physiologic and hormonal responses causing weight gain. Diet soda is no more a "food" than regular soda.