If Mississippi legislators had their way, it could soon be illegal to serve obese people in restaurants (courtesy of Junk Food Science). Because what this country needs is more public shaming of fat people.
I'm all for better nutritional education and options. I'm going to go on record that smaller restaurant portions and less trans-fats are good. But if I, as an obese person, want to treat myself to a night out at Roscoe's Chicken n' Waffles, then damn it, the government has no right to step in and tell me that I don't deserve it. That is my decision. It is my responsibility to make smart decisions about my diet -- I certainly don't need the little man at the Hollywood Zankou Chicken telling me that I'm too fat to eat there. Will I be reduced to standing forlornly beside the line at Pink's, asking skinny people to please order a Huell Howser dog for me?
There is obviously a government interest in the public health -- healthy people are less of a financial burden on the country's health care system. But this effort is flat out wrong. The fact that some politician thinks this is a good use of his time and public resources is maddening.
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6 comments:
(Oops, I posted as someone else by mistake above.) I get what they're trying to do, but I think the angle is so, so wrong! I can't imagine the restaurant industry will let this one pass, either. I would think they should be focusing on the preventative measures and health education. Oh, that and going after the restaurants for serving unhealthy food in the first place.
I read about this at Alas, A Blog, and they quoted a discussion elsewhere (this is getting convoluted) where someone posited that this is one of those bills that they know won't pass, but will make it more likely that a lesser anti-fat bill will pass later. But they worded it better: http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2008/02/01/mississipi-lawmakers-propose-banning-fat-people-from-restaurants/
You've got to be kidding me! Yes, there is an issue with the health care system being taxed by the growth of the American waistline, but this is not the way to address it. What I eat is my choice. It is my body and I have the right to eat as I see fit. Plus, this is impractical! Could you imagine going on a date and knowing there was a weigh in at the door? The restaurant industry would shrivel up. Or what about the drive through? Will I have to get out in the possible cold or rain to stand on a scale before you give me my super sized combo meal? Sheesh!
How terrible! I can't believe this. Next thing you know they'll be checking people to see if they are card-carrying diabetics and refusing to serve them anything with sugar or high fructose corn syrup!
Do some of these people not realize that people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes? What about people who have other medical conditions and take steroids that make them larger, would this count in their legislation or would they get an exemption?
I'm sure hoping that this doesn't pass. Why don't we have health education programs instead???
I strongly recommend checking out Junk Food Science (junkfoodscience.blogspot.com). In addition to the regular posts, check out the Tech Central Station "obesity" series.
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