San Francisco just passed a law that cracks down on the popular practice of giving away free toys with unhealthy restaurant meals for children. This means the majority of McDonald’s Happy Meals can no longer be sold in their current state at McDonald’s restaurants in the city.
The board of supervisors that passed this law is taking away the freedom of choice of Americans. McDonald’s and the Happy Meal are an American institution that should be left alone. If people want to eat unhealthy food, including Happy Meals, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or whatever, the fundamental rights of living in this country allow people to make these choices.
The obesity epidemic in this country is out of control, but blaming restaurants, portion sizes and food manufacturers isn’t the answer. The bottom line: If you’re fat, it’s your own fault. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and making you eat that cheeseburger and those French fries. Only you decide what to put into your body.
Americans need to wake up, make a diet and exercise plan, get mentally tough and stick to it once and for all. Sixty-six percent of Americans are overweight or obese. Johns Hopkins is predicting that figure will climb to 75 percent by 2020 and to 90 percent by 2030.
Targeting McDonald’s and other restaurants is un-American and definitely not the solution to the obesity problem.
GRAND Poll: We want your opinion
E-mail GRAND to tell us if you agree or disagree with the author [put “Happy Meals” in the subject line]
__ Yes, I agree the law is un-American.
__ No, I disagree; the SF law is a step in the right direction.
Tell us Yes or No, and why you think so.
Steve Siebold is the author of Die Fat or Get Tough: 101 Differences in Thinking
Between Fat People and Fit People.