It's a sad day for Happy Meals in Santa Clara County

Originally posted by GreenBicMan
reply to post by Merigold

 

I see you are in the UK.

I have heard the UK has the fastest growing obese children population.

I see that might not change either. Learn from America's mistakes. Just outright ban happy meals. Big #ing deal. So sometimes you gotta hold someones hand.

I do agree parents are to blame, but I can't say that I totally blame them because of rising healthy food costs, time constraints etc.

Prohibition worked so well for alchohol, lets do it to burgers too!!!

You cannot legislate these kinds of things. It must be seen as an obvious truth, or people will ignore the logic.

reply to post by ghostsoldier

Its not wrong to legislate it at all. Parents shouldn't have the right to feed their children poison just because its from a restaurant.

So by those standards parents shouldn't "have the right" to occasionally feed their children a burrito loaded with chese and sour cream at home because of the fat content, or donuts because they're fried and the sugar content, or a fruit roll up, or a multitude of other things.

Eventually they'll legislate every aspect of our lives. I'm capable of running my life, I don't need the government doing it for me.

reply to post by chise61

In all honesty you shouldn't be giving your kids that stuff - all those sugars and chemicals are like a drug for kids - One bite and you're hooked. You have the right to ruin your life, not your childrens life. And people need to stop taking this to the extreme - its regulating an evil corporation - its not stopping you from buttering your kids toast with lard and sprinkling a table spoon of salt and sugar on there if you want.

Get some perspective.

This is actually a pretty good way of keeping children healthy at such a young age. So parents have the option of going this way, or they can do what my parents did get junk food like once a month [which is what I still do now basically and I'm 21 now]. Honestly it would be nice to have this type of law all over, though I'm sure a lot of people would support it those same people who do support it may find themselves in the McDonalds fast food places a lot more often.

Besides after a while the food tastes bland anyway...and I can see parents probably allowing their kids [if they can stomach it] to eat more of the food knowing that it's at least somewhat 'healthier' when in fact it would probably be similar to what the Happy Meals are like now.

reply to post by vkey08


I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. I believe this is a great day, and indeed, a happy one for families being effected by this policy.

To be honest, I'm tired of the whole "be able to do whatever you want because in the end it's you who is getting effected" ideology because in truth, many people are unfit to make proper decisions for themselves. You may argue that it's their body that they are ultimately responsible for, and who else can have a say in it, but I disagree. McDonalds is bad for you, plain as that. Sure, in moderation is fine, but our culture no longer promotes moderation, and many people conform to culture. Happy Meals are no exception. It provides a quick and seemingly attractive fix to busy parents and children, and hence is a good substitute for a real, healthy meal.

Call it a removal of freedom, but I call it a step in the right direction. It is a sad day when someone else has to make the proper decision for you, yet at the same time, a happy one because we can rest easy, knowing that someone else is taking the reigns, building a healthier, smarter future for children.

As far as I am concerned, anything that hurts McDonald's is good for us.

All that crap is unhealthy for you, regardless of what they are trying to con you into.

Obesity is the number one health concern in the west and we should be doing more to force companies into providing healthy foods.

~Keeper

Between happy meals and video games parents don't have to cook for or spend any time with their kids.

Sad day for bad parents.

I recently watched a couple of great documentaries here in Europe about Fast Food, GMO corn and McDonald's.

Everything they serve at McDonald's is coming from GMO corn.

The meat - from corn-fed animals!

The Soda - high fructose corn syrup!

The corn oil for French fries! etc etc!

That Burger You're Eating Is Mostly Corn

By tracing the unique chemical signature of corn, scientists have shown that most of the meat in fast food is raised on corn

www.scientificamerican.com...

Monsanto's GMO Corn Linked To Organ Failure, Study Reveals

In a study released by the International Journal of Biological Sciences, analyzing the effects of genetically modified foods on mammalian health, researchers found that agricultural giant Monsanto's GM corn is linked to organ damage in rats.

"Effects were mostly concentrated in kidney and liver function, the two major diet detoxification organs, but in detail differed with each GM type. In addition, some effects on heart, adrenal, spleen and blood cells were also frequently noted. As there normally exists sex differences in liver and kidney metabolism, the highly statistically significant disturbances in the function of these organs, seen between male and female rats, cannot be dismissed as biologically insignificant as has been proposed by others.

We therefore conclude that our data strongly suggests that these GM maize varieties induce a state of hepatorenal toxicity....These substances have never before been an integral part of the human or animal diet and therefore their health consequences for those who consume them, especially over long time periods are currently unknown."

www.huffingtonpost.com...







Super Size Me! full video about McDonald's

Google Video Link

Fast Food Nation video

Google Video Link

I wouldn't recommend any processed or fast food from GMO corn for growing kids!

[edit on 28-4-2010 by Chevalerous]

reply to post by Merigold


I live right by Tampa, thats weird - but I only say that because you have the highest rate of obese children or something I heard.. not like causing an intl incident

Originally posted by GreenBicMan
No doubt the blame should be placed on parents as well.. but sometimes parents are more clueless than children unfortunately.

Well, in the future world, you will have to pass a DNA test before procreation. Then, you will have to spend a few years at parenting school and get licensed before you are allowed to have children.

The new world will be vegetarian, so there won't be a McD problem. Plastics will probably still be manufactured in Thailand (so as to avoid eco regulations in other countries) and maybe, just maybe in 2030 kids will get a plastic Mr. Potato Head toy with their Broccoli Fritters Happy meal.

I think that this is very sad, when the state has to come in and dictate to we the people on how we are to raise our children. You say it is a matter of advertising, you are right there. But lets look at what else is geared towards children. Go into any store, any grocery or convience store, and look down at about the three foot level and then start reading lables. Candy, Chips, cereal and toys are often at that level and are often bright, colorful and geared to catch the attention of children.
No one is forced to eat anything in the country, it is called personal choice. It is a personal choice for a parent to stop at McDonalds or any fast food place, and a personal choice to purchase. I think that many parents need to start to tell their children no and to stick by it, rather than go and just rely on the government to do such for you.

Wow really there are some Nazi posts on this thread. Even more hard core than I am used to seeing on ATS.

Should not have kids because they might want to occasionally give kids a happy meal? That thought process is just psychotic and makes me hope such a person has no kids. I don’t feed my son that stuff but on a very rare occasion (on vacation and not at home) but this is only a step to further legislation.

Before long you will be allowed nothing in your home but some grey or other colored goop, or maybe some stiff flat things like in Solent Green. Really I do fine managing my own health and the health of my son. The rest of you and the government can stick your heads back up your rears if you want to legislate how I want to run my life. Seriously some people are all to willing to let government think for them. Take responsibility for yourself. Man up and figure out what is best for you on your own. Stop wanting others to tell you what to do. Stop wanting to tell others what to do. It is my life step out of it.

I am not even in the area this takes place, but really this is idiotic. Can people these days really not think on their own? Do that many people really want someone else to run every aspect of their lives?

Look at what happened with the cigarette thing. They said wait until they go after something the nonsmokers like. What did they do next? They went after Trans Fats and soda. Next you will not be allowed to be out in the sun without every speck of skin being covered. Tanning beds will be burned and smashed. Unless you use fluoride you will be arrested. Pork will be abolished as will beef. Extra virgin olive oil will be the only thing available (not that it is not good to cook with). Grilling will be outlawed.

Seriously this is taking a dangerous step when you start letting big brother run your life. It is better to let some destroy their lives in unhealthy ways than to have a life that is no life at all. Freedom is something all must take care of. Someone is always willing to remove a freedom you enjoy, be aware of those who make your laws.

Raist

I personally find this truly pathetic. People really need laws now a days to take over their parenting for them? Most people already know that McDonalds is unhealthy and now they need to get rid of happy meals and the toys because the parents are the ones making wrong decisions? People need to learn to quit screwing over everyone else and their kids because they don't have enough common sense to limit how much of a type of food their own child consumes. Sad when parents are becoming so worthless that they don't have the ability to say "No" to their own child or even limit things themselves.

Tired of this "take care of my kid, make my decisions for me" mentality that seems to be affecting parents lately.

reply to post by vkey08


I wish someone would add up the number of laws passed in this country each year. We certainly don't have enough and we need a few people that have never held a real job pushing them on to the rest of us just trying to make a living. We really need to be controlled down to the nth degree. I get so sick of trying to make up my own mind and live my own life, I wish there was just some law that I had to wake up and get dressed and go to work because I feel like cheating sometimes and I know if I was fined or imprisoned that I wouldn't do it.

I'm so glad that some ****** politician in a backwater county has again taken it upon himself to decide what is right and wrong with a publicly held company.

I have two kids, they eat McDonalds every once in a while and they are not obese. Eating at McDonalds does not make you obese. You make yourself obese by the overall lifestyle that you live (bad diet and lack of exercise). An occasional happy meal isn't going to change it one way or the other. You people supporting this law could give a crap about personal freedom... all you see if the government slowly taking decisions away from you so that you and probably more importantly your neighbors live a life modeled to your way of thinking -- mmm mmm heaven! You can take your Gattica and keep it.

[edit on 28-4-2010 by ararisq]

Originally posted by For(Home)Country
reply to post by vkey08

 

I'm going to have to disagree with you on this one. I believe this is a great day, and indeed, a happy one for families being effected by this policy.

I wonder if books count as toys. I hope so. I hope this backwater town just banned McDonalds from giving young people books. We certainly wouldn't want them reading classic fairy tales. The message those books send is probably not approved.

These laws and precendents are going to come back and bite all of you in the ass. Its all fun when its a company you don't like but one day you're going to go freaking nuts over some insane politicians deciding that iPhones aren't conducive to a teenagers mental health based on a Microsoft study and so we're going to ban them or maybe just 'tweak' the usage with a yearly license fee.

Oh my God, some of the stuff in here....

You guys act like being fat is some affliction. Hellooo....people have been fat for years. I am fat. It was helpful when i was an all state football player. It is still helpful today when negotiating deals in business.

When i look for a woman (which has been a long time, married 15 years) i look for a girl who jiggles.

There are far worse things than being fat. Geez.

One day people will learn to measure and judge WHO people are, not WHAT they are. I, personally, will not allow myself to be defined by what i am. What i am is not who i am.

Is McD's healthy? Um, no. And if that is a newsflash for you, you likely should not be walking the streets unattended. The freedom we Americans have is to say "No".

I have no issue with the law enacted here. But you guys are cheering them on like my fat ass is something you have to carry around. Quit trying to think for other people.

I cannot disagree that McDonald's may be a bit on the un-healthy side. But, dammit, I like to stop there and get a Big Mac or something every once in a while. I am a nutrition nut, but I don't rule greasy burgers out of my diet. I don't go to burger joints to get a salad. I'm there for the beef, the mayo, and the other stuff.

If you want burger joints to be a bit healthier, and if you want to pass laws, make sure they are providing real food, without all the artificial stuff, and unnecessary chemicals. That's my real problem with many of the foods you buy. It's full of stuff that isn't food.

But, please don't take away my greasy burger. Grease and salt isn't really the overall problem anyway. Like I'm supposed to eat freaking salad all day long and expect to be healthy. That's called starvation! Yes, eat your fruits and veggies, but I think there is room for good old fashioned food as well.

No, I'm not "fat," I'm still working on trimming some more off. But rest assured I'm not on a low fat diet. I try my best to be on a "real" food diet. And I take my vitamins and minerals, exercise like a maniac, and I consider myself quite healthy.

Pass me the real butter please, so I can dip my corn in it! And tell those fake government health Nazi's to get their damn hands off my food!

And, as I said already, if you want to change food for the better, make sure you are actually eating "food."

Troy

With health care looming being run by the government, anything that may make us unhealthy will soon become illegal or highly taxed.

I remember many years ago they did this with breakfast cereals. They could not longer put toys in the boxes to influence someone to buy that brand.
I see it no longer applies.

reply to post by bigfatfurrytexan


Good sir, I, as I am sure many other people here on ATS, have no problem with "fat". Obese people are just as important and special as anyone else, and seldom need to be segregated, much less for their personal appearance. This has nothing to do with personal appearance.

No, I don't support this motion because it will supposedly further "trim down" kids in that area weight wise, but rather, it's the Government making the "right" decision for parents when parents seem incapable.

I don't expect you to share similar views, nor do I expect the majority of ATS to either, but there is something about humans being incapable of making their own decisions based on ignorance and selfish impulse. Indeed, I am victim to terrible human nature much like every one else, but when rules can be put in place to deny the human flesh and selfish desires that destroy us, (terrible food in this case), then all the better.

I'm prepared to get blown to bits on ATS for this one, but sometimes people need to be forced to do what's right. (Bring it on, Libertarians!)

Originally posted by For(Home)Country
…Call it a removal of freedom, but I call it a step in the right direction. It is a sad day when someone else has to make the proper decision for you…

yis!! Zactly i cudnt agree more i am thinkin of bilding a fire in mi livin rum rite now cas i am cold i don no no bettir plus i am thirste and don have no water cause i fogit to pay tha bill so I will drink mi onwne pee

[postscript]

tha was bad I gots fire all over howse and my pee made me sic i hope govmint makes law to stop u all from makin same mistak we need law aganst this plus i need govment to come help an chek yor howse for for fier and drinkin pee an also mi clooged poop bowl PLEEZE send sombodi to get rid of all poop cawse it on flolor wht do I do govmmmnt HELP MI
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The future. Read it and weep. The actions of the terminally stupid will now determine the choices available to the rest of us. We shall all submit to the miscalculations of the lowest common denominator and government oversight thereof. And worse, those that should know better will support government involvement, intervention and suppression of freedom because it’s a “step in the right direction” and perhaps a slight "removal of freedom". All in the effort to protect those that can’t make a rational decision.