Is it fair to fine fat people for not dieting?

Originally posted by MikeyBones
you know what isn't fair? the fact that it's easier and cheaper to eat garbage that makes you fat and unhealthy. maybe the gov should put a larger effort in abolishing the junk food that makes people obese as opposed to allowing it and then charging them for being suckers for falling for their evil money making trick

Perfect way to make the economy instantly fall apart!

In my opinion, there is no cut & paste solution to the problem. There are just too many factors involved for it to be that simple.

reply to post by neformore


As long as it's not contagious I really don't see the need to give a damn if people listen to doctors or not.

reply to post by Gorman91


The reason they want to do this to people receiving state benefits is because they also tend to receive state medical. The chain of logic is "being fat and eating junk makes you use more medical care and dollars, therefore to cut costs we will fine you for remaining fat and eating unhealthy."

Im not saying its right or wrong, but thats the underlying reason "Why" they feel the need to dictate peoples diet to them.

reply to post by Illusionsaregrander


No fat tax!!! Fine the companies for every amount of crap they put in your food. Better yet - Stop it!!
It isn't only the empty calories that are causing people to get fat. It is the chemicals that are being allowed into the food supply. Chemicals that cause you to put on weight, keeps you hungry, and is addictive. Fat people eat more so lets get people fat so they will buy more of our crap. -evil companies talking) It doesn't matter if it kills you quicker, your off spring is already catching up with you and then they will eventually have kids if they are lucky. Well hey we will be rich (and dead of old age) before people figure this out and make a fuss. Most of them will be dead from complications from the chemicals or from being fat. H*ll no one will be able to tell the difference unless they do chemical analysis. Go walking, ride a bike, move, just start moving, get off the couch people----eat from your local community healthy organic foods.........don't let them win!!!

Originally posted by iamthatiam


No fat tax!!! Fine the companies for every amount of crap they put in your food. Better yet - Stop it!!
I

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no difference between taxing the people directly, and fining the companies. Either way, the money is going to come out of the pocket of the person buying the product.

I too think its wrong to try to control the person. Which is why I suggest making the food stamps only good for certain types of food instead. While the state has no right to tell people what to eat, it does have the right to decide what products is home made "dollars" are spendable on.

Originally posted by iamthatiam


No fat tax!!! Fine the companies for every amount of crap they put in your food. Better yet - Stop it!!
I

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no difference between taxing the people directly, and fining the companies. Either way, the money is going to come out of the pocket of the person buying the product.

I too think its wrong to try to control the person. Which is why I suggest making the food stamps only good for certain types of food instead. While the state has no right to tell people what to eat, it does have the right to decide what products its home made "dollars" are spendable on.

reply to post by neformore


It is unconstitutional. And immoral? Have these liberals forgotten that we live in a free country? They can make all the crap up they want. They wouldn't have a chance in hell enforcing it. Who ever supports this stupid Idead should be deported. Oh and I have a 30 inch waist, I oppose because I support everyone's right to live a free life. And don't tell me it would be good for them, lol. That is NOT for other people to decide.

They should get thrown in jail. Just like other "drug" users do.

Unless the morbidly obease have private healthcare then yeah i think there should be some sort of tax. the NHS is now dealing with loads of problems caused by peoples crap eating habbits - Diabetics, Heart disease, KANKLES!
Eating is a requirement to survive and what you put in your body often comes down to freewill. People have the freewill to either spend money on proper food or on something like a takeout.
People should be a little bit more responcible for their bodys. Many people try to hide behind they disease's they've developed due to poor diets just so that they dont have to change. They'd rather get fat enough to have a gastric bypass rather then loose the damn weight by dealing with the ISSUES that cause them to eat ridiculiously. Its a bad cycle and one that HAS to be broken.
However, i dont think taxing fat people will do much good, Perhaps investing money on changing peoples attitudes to staying fit. The NHS shouldnt be abused, thats what will make it unsustainable.
On another note, i dont think they should treat people that drink themselves stupid on weekends either. Waste of money, again, people should be more responcible for their health.

Originally posted by banandar123

Originally posted by MikeyBones
you know what isn't fair? the fact that it's easier and cheaper to eat garbage that makes you fat and unhealthy. maybe the gov should put a larger effort in abolishing the junk food that makes people obese as opposed to allowing it and then charging them for being suckers for falling for their evil money making trick

Perfect way to make the economy instantly fall apart!

In my opinion, there is no cut & paste solution to the problem. There are just too many factors involved for it to be that simple.

edit on 5/18/2011 by banandar123 because: (no reason given)

Bottom line here is that health is more important than the economy. The economy is a man-made invention and should be a lesser concern than staying healthy and alive. People's health chronologically exist before any economy, and it also should come before it in importance as well.

Yes, you are correct in saying that there are too many factors for a simple answer. But if we continue to search for a simple answer, we will never find one.

reply to post by JerryB08


They arent talking about doing this to everyone. They are talking about doing it to people who collect welfare. And they DO have some right to set conditions for collecting welfare. I dont think its the best idea, but the arguments some people are making against it dont really apply to the situation.

Originally posted by Illusionsaregrander

Originally posted by iamthatiam


No fat tax!!! Fine the companies for every amount of crap they put in your food. Better yet - Stop it!!
I

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no difference between taxing the people directly, and fining the companies. Either way, the money is going to come out of the pocket of the person buying the product.

I too think its wrong to try to control the person. Which is why I suggest making the food stamps only good for certain types of food instead. While the state has no right to tell people what to eat, it does have the right to decide what products is home made "dollars" are spendable on.

I've missed some pages, and am busy at the moment, so would like to ask you if you're referring to the GMO and the companies deliberately sabotaging health.

If so, would like to add this. That without this totally invasive nasism with an intent to force feed people on a diet that is BAD for them and a lack of any real medical knowledge, their intent is to harm the poor.

ie. They already know that food and excercise only moderates food intake for some of the population but that other issues are the cause for varying weight distributions. They already know women horde fat, after pregnancy because slower metabolism is long term survival in hardhship and they are programmed by nature to tend to the young and their survival. They are horrified that maybe the poor mothers will survive the disasters they are hoping to bring in and the next generation will be very aware, and know that pyramid structures suck. The poor are far more awake than the middle class who are programmed to think that only their actions in this slave system achieved everything and the vast majority who are excluded from this are nothing and deserve undending pain and hardship, ie, 90% of the human race. They're so brainwashed in a false bubble yet are the very votes these NAZI's rely on to keep the system going. The watchful ones are amongst the slaves, or the poor, always in the greater numbers.

They already know that their own Radiation and nuclear tests has caused thyroid disease, lowered SAT scores and IQ in children between 1945 and 1963, so they are really trying to short IQ, and its their poisons and GMO that is destroying even more metabolisms.

In short, anything these NAZI doctors would recommend as good for you is a poison.

Ie. the nonhydrogenated oils. The GMO fruits and veggies. Cutting down on the needed protein and iron, omega 3, and B12, vitamins you absolutely require for health. For example, we need to eat more liver, and organs and keep our bones and teeth up. For example, we need a high fat diet for leanness. Real fat, ie. olive oil, coconut oil (virgin pressed) and Butter is always better than margarine, whole foods, good sources of proeteins and no nuclear isotopes.

so in short this is 100% harmful, this law and bill. Its codex alimentarious designed to malnourish and starve people's bodies and immune systems

Its better to be FAT and Healthy than think and sickly.

We're not supposed to judge others, just really promote good food choices, nothing from their laboratories, and healthy activiites and not worry, because this world is about Love, not hate and prejudice from 2 year old power monglers following dark side orders.

reply to post by Illusionsaregrander


That is so true. I smoke cigarettes. I know they are bad for me. I know they will kill me. However you only can die once. So it's not like I really will cost anyone any more money to die. lol When will they start charging people for bad genes. That causes more cancer than anything else. My smokes were 3:50 a pack now they are 8.00's a pack. Pall Mall non filter's and their are completely different than the filter Pall Malls. I could quit. But I like to smoke. And at this point nobodies going to force me to.

I think growing old is over rated.

Originally posted by JakiusFogg
What about people with hyperthyroid problems?

Thats my question! Everyone always assumes people are fat because they over eat! That couldn't be furthest from the truth!

Then you have people with health issues where its beyond their control.. like my mother in law...She has thyroid issues, diabetes, and heart issues. She would be considered VERY morbidly obese with her size. This woman HAS to eat a strict diet due to her Diabetes and she is still over weight severely. She wants to have surgery to help her get enough weight off so that she can contribute more in an exercise program along with the diet...but guess what...no surgeries here because of the heart issues or she is constantly in and out of the hospital due to issues with the diabetes.

reply to post by Illusionsaregrander


ok, then do that to the people on that problem path. Don't generalize. I'm 50 pounds over weight, but I never get sick but for the flu here and there, and brush off Diabetes by God's mercy. I can run miles in a day still and am very strong. I see no reason why I should be generalized as the same as a 100 lb overweight person who sits on their couch all day and plays video games.

Does anyone even bother to read anything anymore before going off on a completely unrelated rant and making up their own facts?

There's nothing in the article about taxing fat people.

If you want to collect money with no strings attached or obligation, stay home and let your mommy give it to you.

If you're collecting a government check (that's money the government takes from people and redistributes to whom they choose) then I don't see a health requirement as onerous. Ooh, the evil government wants you to be healthier. Bastards.

And this "unconstitutional" stuff. Where's the constitutional authority to forcibly take money from me and give it to some unemployed slob who weighs 600 lbs and won't make the effort?

There are places in the world where fat people are worshiped. Maybe we'd be money ahead to pay for one-way tickets.

This idea that people can sit around and draw a check while putting in absolutely no effort at all in improving their situation has to stop. I completely support this initiative.

Now the state of Arizona is proposing a radical idea. It wants to impose a $50 annual fine for overweight Medicaid recipients who don't follow a strict health regime developed with their doctor. Those with children, and people overweight due to a medical condition, would be exempt.

This is a bad idea?

Please.

reply to post by neformore


If they are on welfare then yes it is fair. If someone is being supplied their means of living by way of the taxpayer then they should have to meet certain requirements, and if they can't then they can find someone else to mooch of off.

Originally posted by neformore

Is it fair to fine fat people for not dieting?

www.bbc.co.uk

Overweight welfare claimants in the US state of Arizona face paying $50 (£31) fines if they don't follow a dietary regime laid down by their doctor. Is that fair?

(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
theweek.com
www.lisajohnsonfitness.com
www.latimes.com

Yes it it fair they should be fined more because obesity needs to be eradicated. They eat too much food and use too many resources so fine them til they're skinny or send them all to an island. But if you sent them to an island they'll probably sink it. haha

Originally posted by MikeyBones
Bottom line here is that health is more important than the economy. The economy is a man-made invention and should be a lesser concern than staying healthy and alive. People's health chronologically exist before any economy, and it also should come before it in importance as well.

Yes, you are correct in saying that there are too many factors for a simple answer. But if we continue to search for a simple answer, we will never find one.

But in that same light, a person's freedom to choose what they eat without being fined should also be set aside in order to preserve their health.(I agree with this statement. I just didn't agree with the "punish the fast food restaurants!!!!" idea) Bottom line is that under current laws, it's up to the individual to choose a healthy lifestyle, but it's up to the rest of the nation to foot the bill if the individual fails to do so and has to be hospitalized, etc. So obviously, something has to be done, and the great debate is whether it should be done on the consumer(individuals that indulge in unhealthy foods) level, or on the supplier(restaurants that promote unhealthy foods) level.

This did not pass the legislator . So no longer an argument for the time being. This state( AZ) is nuts.
I think the heat finally got to the brains of some people here.