Typical big government study

[Cyclonepride]

Report: Obesity a result of modern life - Diet & Nutrition - MSNBC.com

I love the sentiment that somehow government was the solution to this.

“Personal responsibility is important, but our study shows the problem is much more complicated.
“It is a wake-up call for the nation, showing that only change across many elements of our society will help us tackle obesity.”

I wholeheartedly agree that a person's genetic makeup has a lot to do with how hard they have to work to keep the weight off, but I have seen no proof whatsoever that suggests that a person who truly works to control their weight can't do so without some kind of government intervention.

[herbiedoobie]

It's time to get rid of the "safety net". Either that, or we get to install "shock collars" on all the obese poor, that automatically gives them a "jolt" when they eat a donut.

[CloneFan65]

I wholeheartedly agree that a person's genetic makeup has a lot to do with how hard they have to work to keep the weight off, but I have seen no proof whatsoever that suggests that a person who truly works to control their weight can't do so without some kind of government intervention.

I missed the part of the article that implied government intervention is necessary. I do agree that physical activity (P.E.) should be part of the school day, and that schools should offer healthy foods, but I wouldn't call that "government intervention."

[CloneFan65]

It's time to get rid of the "safety net". Either that, or we get to install "shock collars" on all the obese poor, that automatically gives them a "jolt" when they eat a donut.

Just curious why you singled out the "poor".

[Cyclonepride]

I missed the part of the article that implied government intervention is necessary. I do agree that physical activity (P.E.) should be part of the school day, and that schools should offer healthy foods, but I wouldn't call that "government intervention."

It's implied in the statement I quoted, and the tone of the article in general. Resting on a firm base of individual responsibility implies that people should take care of their own issues. Saying that it's not their individual responsibility, but the responsibility of society in general implies that the government should do something about it.

[clone52]

It's implied in the statement I quoted, and the tone of the article in general. Resting on a firm base of individual responsibility implies that people should take care of their own issues. Saying that it's not their individual responsibility, but the responsibility of society in general implies that the government should do something about it.

I did not see government implication in your quoted statement. It could be something as simple as what my employer has put in place. We have to basically register with a health service. Basically what this does is provides us with the opportunity to utilize the health service. We aren't forced to utilize any of the services, but if we don't register, we have to pay a fee. Basically the logic is that even if a small portion of the workforce utilizes the service, it will increase peoples health and lower the health care costs for the company. In no way is government involved, but its also no relying on individual responsibility.

[herbiedoobie]

Just curious why you singled out the "poor".

Because the "rich" obese don't steal money from our wallets to treat their afflictions, caused by their "self-induced wound" like the "poor" obese do.

And before you get all whiney about how the "poor" need or deserve it, I raised a family of four for 7 years while living under the poverty line, (I received a head injury in an auto accident and was unable to work full time) without ONCE accepting government benefits or committing crimes "just to survive". It can be done, and it's not even that hard. I'll ask you to forgive me for my somewhat jaded outlook toward America's "poor."

If the safety net wasn't there, who cares whether people are obese or not? It is (was) a free country. Unfortunately, obesity becomes OUR problem when the lard-butts who are on public assistance start overloading the free medical care system. (Oddly, it's more expensive to pay cash for medical services, today)

[CloneFan65]

I'll ask you to forgive me for my somewhat jaded outlook toward America's "poor."

Consider yourself forgiven.

[clone52]

Because the "rich" obese don't steal money from our wallets to treat their afflictions, caused by their "self-induced wound" like the "poor" obese do.

And before you get all whiney about how the "poor" need or deserve it, I raised a family of four for 7 years while living under the poverty line, (I received a head injury in an auto accident and was unable to work full time) without ONCE accepting government benefits or committing crimes "just to survive". It can be done, and it's not even that hard. I'll ask you to forgive me for my somewhat jaded outlook toward America's "poor."

If the safety net wasn't there, who cares whether people are obese or not? It is (was) a free country. Unfortunately, obesity becomes OUR problem when the lard-butts who are on public assistance start overloading the free medical care system. (Oddly, it's more expensive to pay cash for medical services, today)

Its not just the poor obese who are raising health care prices. Even the rich are. The rich aren't using government dollars, but they are using health care from work. It might not be as direct as someone getting government benefits, but its still affecting things.

[herbiedoobie]

Its not just the poor obese who are raising health care prices. Even the rich are. The rich aren't using government dollars, but they are using health care from work. It might not be as direct as someone getting government benefits, but its still affecting things.

"Affecting things?" How? Do tell, I'm all ears...

Is health care a limited resource, that we must hoard for future generations? Or can additional demand be absorbed by more doctors, nurses and clinics taking up the slack?

I've heard that they discovered a new supply of tongue depressors in Canada; it's buried deep, though, and will take 20 more years to fully exploit....

[CloneFan65]

"Affecting things?" How? Do tell, I'm all ears...

Is health care a limited resource, that we must hoard for future generations? Or can additional demand be absorbed by more doctors, nurses and clinics taking up the slack?

I've heard that they discovered a new supply of tongue depressors in Canada; it's buried deep, though, and will take 20 more years to fully exploit....

Unless the non-poor obese pay all of their health-care costs out of pocket (which they don't) then the costs are passed on to all of us through the health insurance we pay. This is true based on whether we pay our own health insurance or our employer does. Either way it directly effects the money in your pockets.

[Kyle]

"Affecting things?" How? Do tell, I'm all ears...

Is health care a limited resource, that we must hoard for future generations? Or can additional demand be absorbed by more doctors, nurses and clinics taking up the slack?

It also affects supply and demand. They are increasing the demand, thereby driving up the cost.
The number of doctors and nurses we have in this country is not exceptionally elastic due to the amount of skill required.

[clone52]

"Affecting things?" How? Do tell, I'm all ears...

Is health care a limited resource, that we must hoard for future generations? Or can additional demand be absorbed by more doctors, nurses and clinics taking up the slack?

I've heard that they discovered a new supply of tongue depressors in Canada; it's buried deep, though, and will take 20 more years to fully exploit....

See clonefan's post after yours. If a rich guy who's company does his health insurance has more health issues, that affects how much money the health insurance company pays. In doing so, its affecting how much I pay on premiums. No government involvement, but I'm still paying less is all my coworkers are healthier.