(no subject)

[vicarz]

Guess what America? It's your own damn fault that you're fat!
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=3&u=/nm/20040311/pl_nm/congress_obesity_dc

I actually worry about this legislation. It's 100% reactionary, and while I think the obesity lawsuits are absurd, I worry about the dangerous precedent this sets. There is something wrong about 2nd guessing the entire judicial process to protect an industry. The suits were losing and being laughed at by the populace, so do we really need to ban this type of lawsuit? Is that sort of lawsuit that different than the smoking issue? I suppose this does mean I'm going to maintain access to my bacardi and chocolate...

Comments

[thefeline.livejournal.com]

(shorter comment than the original overly passionate ranty obnoxious one).

I agree with you on your post. In addition though, I worry about how this will affect the chemicals already being put into our food now such as growth hormones and preservatives. I also wonder how much said chemicals are also contributing to the rise of obesity in this country.

It's too bad they don't have gyms and diet centers as a tax deduction. That might encourage more folks to do something. That and more/better government funded programs to educate people on how to stay healthy would be a MUCH better us of their time and funds.

Have you seen the commercials that they are now airing to mock obesity? There's a huge piece running on AOL from the Wall Street Journal titled Government Ads Urge Americans to Shed Pounds. I think programs to help people rather than saying "Hey, you're fat..and here are some tips to help" would be far more beneficial to the public.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Well I don't think those steps would help. I don't believe chemicals are somehow making people fat - I think people eating tons of unhealthy food and not exercising is making them fat. It's like smoking - we know it's bad for us, so while it is our choice to be unhealthy, it's an informed choice and we shouldn't be trying to sue people for our own vice-taking-behavior.

I'm not going to sue Godiva or Bacardi for my belly-belly!

I don't think education is going to help america one bit. There is nothing mysterious about a healthy diet and exercise. Those few people that are going to believe they can shed 20 lbs by calling a number stapled to a phone pole have far greater problems than a public awareness campaign can solve.

Gyms cost $1-2 per day on average with a membership. I don't see any real benefit to a tax-rebate on that. I see the problem as one of choice - people don't care enough on a day to day basis to show the discipline it takes to be in shape - that's the american (urp) way!

[thefeline.livejournal.com]

I wasn't saying that you should sue Godiva and Bacardi. I still think that blocking those law suits are bad as they could lead into other blocks such as food chemicals or what have you. I think a limitation is good though. And if it's a frivolous law suit...a good judge should toss that right out of court anyhow...right?!?

Well, of course the eating unhealthily and portion control is a factor. I still think that the chemicals in the food aren't helping people get healthier and to some degree are contributing to the problem. I still think that growth hormones are bad news. Europeans have the same stuff we do...but they have different regulations on what goes into their food...they don't have the same weight problem (although per some study I read a few years go...there has been an increase since American Fast Food chains were introduced). You've gotta wonder why they aren't as heavy. They aren't necessarily exercising more than we are...hrm.

Gyms might cost $1-2 but that's still $365 to $730-that's a lot of money...well for some of us it is. I think a tax deduction might encourage people to do something to be honest. Look at how many people contribute to charity because it's tax deductible (I know that it's a motivator for me...along with doing something good for my fellow person/animal/whatever). We deduct mortgages, we deduct donated items--even cast off clothing, medical bills/prescriptions (if they hit a certain dollar amount)we deduct other items...why not this one?!? Food for thought.

I still think education will help. I'm *paying* to get educated on how to lose weight and eat properly. I *know* I'm not the only American out there who doesn't realize how to do that properly. It's more than...eat your fruits and veggies. It's more than "carbs are evil don't eat them". At any rate it would be more productive than the commercials they are airing stating "ha ha...you're fat". Like THAT'S going to do any good?!?

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Well I don't like absurd growth hormones and the like in the food either, but there have always been organic alternatives available - they just cost more. I still don't see any reason to think chemicals make us fat. Less food, better food, more exercise - it's a very basic formula that we keep trying to escape with medicine, fad diets, bizarre machinery, and in extreme cases even surgery. People keep avoiding the well-known truths of effort and discipline that shape us!

Portion control matters, absolutely, but we control the portions. McD's has always had a small!

Tax deductions don't seem why we donate to charity. If I give $100 to a group, I might 'deduct' $20 when all is said and done. Clothes we donate because they have no value go us anymore, and a mortgage just represents an expense we would have regardless. Er, it's not like you're getting a thing - you're just saving 20-30% of what you give. It's hardly an incentive, especially if we round up and say a grand a year equals a whopping $2-300. Yay. I don't see the US getting off the couch for that. The gym is an option, one I think most americans sacrifice in the name of a SUV payment or a plasma screen tv - which isn't deductable.

I should argue for the idea since I would benefit by it, but I just don't think it would work.

Carbs are not evil - grr! The human diet has been predominately carbs for millions of years! This fad will be replaced by another, with just as many people saying that it works. The fad a few decades ago was to ONLY eat carbs - same results, same controversy. Same basic flaw - an easy exercise-free fix! Nothing worth having is easy, well except perhaps me...

I've never seen a ha-ha you're fat ad, in fact if anything I've seen more and more social acceptance of fat. I'm mixed on that issue - it's good to let people be who they want, but unlike black clothes or A&F, this is something that drastically affects your basic health.

Or I'm just grumpy coz I'm trying to lose weight and I miss my truffles.

[thefeline.livejournal.com]

I *still* think that the growth hormones are a factor not fully the cause ;)

Yes, the portion control at McDonalds is relatively small but look at the nutritional information ;) (and those flatbread sandwiches are HORRIBLE BTW!)I wish they had healthier stuff at Starbucks as well...I found out that my favorite cookie there has like 35 grams of FAT!!! Fuddruckers isn't as good about portion control (they do have good salads though)...I'm not sure if you'd consider them "fast food" or not ;)

The tax deduction for charity still motivates people to do the right thing. Speaking of which...that's something you could do for that couch you wanna get rid of if you haven't already. I still think the tax deduction for gyms AND diet centers is a good thing. And diet centers are as expensive or more expensive than gyms btw ;) The deduction would reward those who are doing something currently and will potentially motivate those who need to...but who are making up excuses (YOU know the excuses I'm talking about...as I and other people have used them) about going to/joining a gym/diet center. Maybe it'll get people to stop bitching about their size and start doing something.

Carbs aren't evil...but that's what is currently being marketed...look around.

The commercials are on AOL...and they said they were being aired. I don't watch anything but movies on cable...so I don't see commercials like that anymore ;)

You're grumpy? I've got more to lose than you do baby! My motivation is the wardrobe I bought for the size I should be in a few months. BTW...Lindt has an adorable chocolate bunny for Easter...at Hallmark. You know you want to decapitate that bunny. ::wicked grin::

[vicar.livejournal.com]

If I bite it like that am I 'taking' head?

Actually you're right about the growth thingys...I don't think of the fat, but for years I've pointed out how large Americans are based on red-meat steroids and poultry breast enhancers. I don't recall 9 year olds in c-cups when I was younger...so it makes just as much sense that the hormones would affect our bodies in other ways. Huh.

Holy crap I forgot about the couch. One more thing I'm putting off but want to do.

[thefeline.livejournal.com]

Yup..but they use the same hormones in chickens. And what about pollution affecting our fisheries? What about certain pesticides and such affecting our produce? What about preservatives and other chemicals (am I the only one to remember red dye #10 and the fact it was causing/contributing to illnesses such as cancer?). Our food is full of nasty shit...even if it's organic...who's to say that they aren't using harmful pesticides? There's always going to be something. Our country needs to get on the ball and get better about regulating that shit. They need to get better about regulating what we are FEEDING our livestock...madcow you can prevent...don't feed animals other animal parts unless they are naturally a carnivore (i.e. big cats..etc..and in that case they really aren't "livestock" now are they? ;) ). They ALSO should permit irradiation. Look at the Western Europeans...they have our American fast food restaurants...yet they ain't big like us. ROWR! pffft! You can tell this has been bugging me for a bit, eh? ;)

Yeah...you can totally give that to charity and have that picked up and get a nice lil tax write off from it. Can't hurt...particularly if they'll move it FOR you...right?

Speaking of food...and getting fat and charity...don't forget that this (http://www.foodandfriends.org/fooddine/dindex.html)is today.

[djpsyche.livejournal.com]

"Not only do we not trust you to make the proper food choices, we don't trust you to make the appropriate decisions if you're chosen for a jury."

Sheesh!