The Daily Valet. - 5/26/22, Thursday
✔️ A Tough Conversation
Thursday, May 26th Edition
If all else fails, there are snacks.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
The Gun Control Conversation
Stalemates, calls for compromise and hope that maybe this time could be different
The massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday produced the usual demands to “do something.” Of course, there seems to be a lot of questions, demands and proposed solutions but how do we go forward?
Democrats are proposing gun control measures but are holding out on a vote in hopes of negotiating a possible bipartisan deal. Republicans are still talking about everything except guns—“hardening” schools and arming teachers, addressing mental health and a “sick” culture. Unfortunately, we are talking past one another, having two separate conversations with little to no overlap.
But the stalemate over gun-control legislation has been enduring since Bill Clinton’s first presidential term. And when you dig into what the American public thinks, the data is confounding. Gallup polling from earlier this year asked a simple question and a follow-up: Are you satisfied with the nation’s gun laws? And if you’re unsatisfied, do you want stricter or looser gun laws? Only 36% of Americans said they were dissatisfied and wanted stricter gun control laws. Sixty-one percent were either satisfied (41%), dissatisfied but wanted less strict laws (13%) or dissatisfied and wanted no change (7%).
Those numbers can be hard to comprehend when other polls consistently indicate that upward of 90% of Americans want common-sense gun laws, especially universal background checks for firearm sales. But The Atlantic points out that the basic rules of American democracy often provide a veto over national policy to a minority of the states. For instance, the House passed legislation to expand and strengthen background checks, but it has been blocked by a Republican filibuster in the Senate.
Disappointed gun-control advocates, and perplexed ordinary citizens, often point their fingers at the influence of the National Rifle Association. But the NRA has been plagued by internal scandal and even filed for bankruptcy. It’s not as strong as it once was.
Which is why Axios wonders if this time could be different. While lawmakers and citizens “remain skeptical that this time will be the time Congress strikes a compromise, there are reasons to believe the dam may finally be ready to break.”
↦ Dig Deeper: Nicholas Kristof lays out some achievable gun reforms and pragmatic limits on firearms that experts believe could save 15,000 lives a year.
Minting Billionaires
The pandemic created a new billionaire every 30 hours
A new billionaire has been created on average about every 30 hours during the pandemic so far, according to a new report by Oxfam, the global charity focused on eliminating poverty.
Now, 573 more people around the world can claim billionaire status compared to 2020 when the pandemic began, for a current total of 2,668 billionaires. And according to ABC News, their wealth has soared 42% (or $3.78 trillion), over the pandemic, for a current total of $12.7 trillion. And here I am, stressing over the fancy moisturizer I just bought.
The report, which draws on data compiled by Forbes, looks at the rise of inequality over the past two years. It is timed to coincide with the kickoff of the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, a gathering of some of the wealthiest people and world leaders.
Much of the jump in wealth came in the first year of the pandemic. It then plateaued and has since dropped a bit, said Max Lawson, head of inequality policy at Oxfam, told CNN. At the same time, COVID-19, growing inequality and rising food prices could push as many as 263 million people into extreme poverty this year, reversing decades of progress in trying to lessen income inequality.
↦ Dig Deeper: The widening of the gap between rich and poor has led to renewed calls for the U.S. to tax wealth.
Partner
Health is a process. And if you've been feeling rundown, you could very well be deficient in this vital element, so make sure you're boosting it naturally.
Let’s Come Together Like This Snack
Meet the Ritz/Oreo hybrid cookie cracker
Let's just take a moment and enjoy some silliness, shall we? Because there's a new Oreo and Ritz collaboration I heard about literally while writing this newsletter and wanted to share it with you.
One half of an Oreo cookie is smashed into one half of a Ritz peanut butter cracker and then sandwiched together. It's salty, it's sweet and boasts double the creamy filling. This seemingly chaotic mashup is kinda brilliant if you ask me. Like when I first discovered smashing chips into my sandwiches.
If you're with me, then listen up: The company is giving them out for free starting today at 12 pm ET on a special website, and supplies (I assume) are fairly limited. Note, however, that you will have to pay a small $3.95 shipping fee.
Food & Wine wonders, “is it a cookie? A snack? Not to imply that the mashup can't work.” They also brought up a good point: That since the results don't look that dissimilar to mushing together an Oreo with a Ritz peanut butter cracker, if we miss out on the promotion, we could always make them ourselves.
A ‘New Movement’ in Fitness
Looking better is no longer the biggest motivation for weight loss
This is promising news, because when it comes weight loss or getting healthy, motivation matters. According to the results of a new survey from Mayo Clinic, there's been a major change in why people are dieting—and it has more to do with biomarkers than it does beach selfies.
After surveying more than 200,000 Americans, researchers found that post-pandemic, 83% of participants are more motivated by their health than any other aspirations to lose weight — that's five times greater than those concerned primarily with physical appearance.
“We think there may be a new movement on focusing on improving health,” Mayo Clinic associate professor of Medicine and Nutrition Dr. Donald Hensrud told NBC News. It appears people are less concerned with the number on the scale and more focused on factors like heart rate, blood sugar and actually feeling healthy.
That could explain why gym memberships are up for both men and women—and especially with Gen Z—while some are trying to use their health savings accounts to cover their gym memberships.
↦ Meanwhile: A different survey has revealed that blockchain technology may be a better fitness motivator than traditional monetary incentives.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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You Want More Salt, Not Less
Here’s how you boost your electrolytes if you’re active or cutting carbs
We all know that electrolytes do a body good. But what are they exactly? The essential minerals (i.e. sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium) are essential to a myriad of important bodily functions. Doctors credit them with regulating muscle contractions and keeping you hydrated, while also balancing your pH levels and controlling your nervous-system functions.
Which is why we feel so cruddy when we're running low on them. Electrolyte deficiency or imbalances can cause headaches, cramps, fatigue and weakness. When you sweat, the primary electrolyte lost is sodium (and you can lose up to seven grams per day). When sodium isn't replaced, it's common to experience muscle cramps and fatigue.
I've felt this myself when I wasn't properly rehydrating and restoring lost electrolytes after long weekend bike rides. And the same can happen if you're following a low-carb, ketogenic diet as well (anyone hear of the “keto flu”?) LMNT is an easy and tasty way to get back vital electrolytes. The single-severing drink mix has everything you need and nothing you don't. That means a generous dose of salt, along with potassium and magnesium but absolutely no sugar.
Oh, and your favorite sports drinks? Yeah the average bottle has a whopping 34 grams of sugar in them. And only 270 mg of sodium. We don't need more sugar. But we do need more salt. LMNT skips the sugar, artificial ingredients and colors. What they do have is a science-backed electrolyte ratio of 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium and 60 mg magnesium. Plus, the fruit flavors are refreshing and sweetened only with natural, no-calorie stevia. And now for a very limited time, can try them basically for free. You've got nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
↦ Try It: Get 8 single serving packets free, just cover the cost of shipping ($5 for U.S. customers).
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↦ Want More? 33 of the best Memorial Day deals
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Don’t Settle for Just Any Meat
It can be hard to find great cuts of meat these days. But D'Artagnan has been a farm-to-table pioneer since 1985, serving America's top chefs and in-the-know home cooks. Their site lets you order up a wide range of high-quality products including organic poultry, grass-fed beef and heritage pork, along with wild game—all sourced from small farms. You specify how much you need from portioned steaks to whole muscle cuts that will feed large crowds. Whether you want it fresh or frozen, it's basically like having access to the same purveyor as America's top chefs. As for me, I'm ordering some grass-fed filet mignon as a gift (and getting a couple steaks for myself while I'm at it).
↦ Get It: High-quality meat delivered
Morning Motto
Know yourself. Love yourself.
↦ Follow: @wetheurban
That’s all for today...
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