...Many companies give to both parties, but there is no mistaking their political loyalties. Coca-Cola and affiliated donors, for instance, gave $807,000 to Democrats but $1.74 million to Republicans. PepsiCo gave $255,000 to the Democrats but $1.7 million to Republicans. Nestle gave the Democrats $59,000 but gave the Republicans $208,000.Burger King gave $20,000 to Democrats but $111,000 to Republicans.

Of the $26 million contributed by restaurant companies and food processors in the 2000 elections, 71 percent of the money went to Republicans. The National Restaurant Association, Philip Morris (with a constellation of trash food in its resume, such as Kraft), Outback, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald's, Waffle House, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Burger King, Cracker Barrel, and General Mills are among the top contributors on lists compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics that gave 77 percent or more of their money to Republican causes...

...Already, health advocates are calling for bans of trash food ads on children's TV, the removal of soda and candy machines from schools, and cigarette-like taxes on trash food. The House vote only fuels the culture war instead of squelching it. As with cigarettes, the dawning upon us of the health disaster of trash food and our sedentary lives took a while. Now that it is here, advertising limitations or bans may be closer and more welcomed than you think...