Eating and the Law? Huh?
I just read an article in the Washington Post about how a local county leader basically wants to pass legislation that curbs the number of fast food restaurants that open.
The article (which I’ll include a link to at the bottom of the post) stated that in a two block stretch there were 11 fast food restaurants. Couple that with the fact that the obesity numbers for adolescents have ranged between 30-40% since 2002 and this activist has basically had enough.
Can’t say I blame him though. I live near the area he’s referring to. I think there’s about 6 fast food spots on one block and they range from greasy to greasiest.
But you know passing legislation like this is going to be tough. There’s going to be all sorts of opposition from business, lobbyists, even people who don’t mind eating a Big Mac value meal 3 times a day. You can’t let the government control you like that can you? Even if it’s intended to save your life?
I was in New York City over the holidays and walked into McDonalds and saw a big sign with the calories next to it and walked right back out. That’s government imposed isn’t it?
I’d love to see healthier restaurants exist and I know they do, the problem is they are in more affluent areas because it typically costs more. Ask someone if they’d rather pay $10 for a salad or an extra value meal and get back change?!?!?!
So what do you think?
Should the government get more involved or should people just take more responsibility for what they eat?
Great post Fresh.
Government does not have a right to control what people eat, period. Supply and demand. Less gonvernment is needed already and I do not believe that they have the right to say “no trans fats” as California did recently.
Stop the regulation of freedom to choose! That’s what capatialism is all about people!
I applaud the restaurants posting the caloric content so the consumers can make educated choices about their meals.
I do think restaurants have the right to open anywhere and that it is the individuals responsibility to educate themselves about what they are actually eating and choose the best places to spend their money.
I would much rather see them regulate the openings of liquor stores in certain areas. Ahem.
I don’t have a problem with limiting fast food restaurants. I grew up in a small town where they were banned. Yep, banned. We had not a one – still don’t. Doesn’t mean that we never ate fast food, but they were more of a treat than a regular occurrence.
Sure people have a personal responsibility to monitor what they eat, but obviously that’s not happening. So if I don’t have to pay for one more person’s bariatric surgery, triple bypass, or high blood pressure medication because it was a little harder for them to get 3 pieces of meat on a bun or a box of fried chicken and they had to make healthier choices, I’m cool with that.
I think this situation is a bit of a double edged sword. Without government intervention, some folk will never gain the insight on the ills of fast food. On the other hand, if the government starts to put regulations on what people can eat, what would happen next?
We live in the same area Fresh, and yes, it is inundated with fast food chains and greasy carryouts. I have mixed feelings on the subject.
I think that publishing the calories at an establishment is appropriate because there are many who are actually ignorant as to what they are consuming. But, when you add in the economic factor, it’s not surprising that people choose fast food. The short term benefits (cheap, quick, conveinent) that fast food offers overshadow the benefits that healthier, fresh alternatives offer.
Personal responsibility should also play a large part, but often we have young people making their own choices, having never been taught about nutrition or overall health and wellness. Obviously, I’m speaking in broad terms and every person has their own individual reasons for making the choices they do.
But, a fast food restaurant is like any other business and they have a right to exist. However, there is no coincidence that they exist in abundance in areas where there pockets of poverty. Can you count the # of liquor stores? It is a very complex issue. (I’ll stop now. *lol* Sorry to blog in your comment section!)