Blue (Zone) In the Face

OK, we get it. Loma Linda's a Blue Zone. We honestly get it.

And if someone from Loma Linda (or someone visiting Loma Linda) wants to go to a fast food restaurant and scarf down 20 or so dollar double cheeseburgers, what's it to you?

Because whether you like it or not, there are people out there that just might do it. And as it stands right now, they have to leave Loma Linda to do so at a McDonald's, and they're taking their money with them.

It's a : The proposed shopping center with a proposed McDonald's is all about the money that it can generate for Loma Linda, so it can keep its roads safe, parks clean and public safety workers on the job.

So, let's move past the money issue, and jump on down the road to what they're attacking: Personal choice. Because that's what the people who went to the City Council meeting earlier this week wanted to legislate. Your choice, my choice and the freedom of choice.

I find it ironic that one of the biggest national issues being debated is the size of government, and how the Tea Party and others want less of it. But once people decide they don't like something -- in this case, McDonald's is going to come in and ruin Loma Linda -- everyone turns to the government and expect them to do something about it.

McDonald's is not going to ruin Loma Linda in as much as any of the other fast food restaurants has ruined Loma Linda's "Blue Zone" designation. Wanna know why? Personal choice.

It's as if that the people who showed up Tuesday think that because it's there, people will throw away their beliefs and start eating at McDonald's.

And why do these people continue to rally against McDonald's? It's not like it's the only offender. What if the proposed fast food restaurant was going to be Burger King? Or Taco Bell? Or a smaller local chain, such as Alberto's, Bravo Burgers or The Hat? Would we be having this argument?

I'd argue probably not.

If this were Loma Linda's first fast food restaurant ... or first drive-through, I could see the reasons for fighting this. But it's not.

Loma Linda's a Blue Zone not because of what it offers, but because how its residents live. And adding a McDonald's isn't going to change that.

And if it helps you deal with it better, just think of the proposed restaurant as a big fundraising location for . You know ... that big building just down the street in Loma Linda.