The Chocolate-Covered-Bacon Buzz: A New Wisconsin Delicacy At County Fairs? Move Over Popcorn

We may not be reading the same papers, but the news I'm getting is all about the new, decadent delicacy: chocolate-covered bacon. Numerous gourmet recipes buzzing about the Internet insist that only the highest quality bacon and chocolate by used, lest the snack taste, well... 'yuk'. Some Wisconsinites are now suggesting that because Wisconsin excels at producing high-quality bacon and gourmet chocolate, Wisconsin should adopt this new taste treat as a state food. But move over brats, cheese, and beer? I'm reluctant to endorse this cry. 'At least,' supporters urge, 'all Wisconsin county fairs this summer should feature chocolate-covered bacon at their concession stands.'
But health-conscious Wisconsinites are mounting a backlash. They argue that this delicacy is too decadent. They insist Wisconsinites cut back on animal fat and sugar. These nay-sayers say fair-goers should consume popcorn, preferentially unsalted. Of course popcorn is a traditional Wisconsin fair food. It's health benefit resides in its high fiber content (just what you want at an outdoor fair). Popcorn's attraction is its great flavor. And Wisconsin produces some of the country's absolute BEST popcorn, -in multiple varieties too. So yes, by all means Wisconsin popcorn should be consumed in bold quantities at our local fairs. But back to bacon.
Bacon is no longer the absolute cardiac-death food as it was once demonized. Pigs have been successfully bred to be far leaner than they were decades ago. Today's high-quality bacon has more meat and less fat. But let's keep the record straight - it still has enough fat to keep it tasty. But why worry about bacon fat if you cover that fat in high-quality dark chocolate? We've all heard that dark chocolate is the new health food because it promotes the body's production of HDL's, - the GOOD cholesterol. And that good cholesterol circulates through the arteries cleaning them out of the bad cholesterol that causes heart attacks. So there is a chance that covered in enough chocolate, any bacon fat that dares to clog an artery will be intercepted by the HDL's created by the chocolate. So how can any health-conscious Wisconsinite not eat chocolate covered bacon? Isn't its consumption a matter of state pride and good health? Just more food for thought....