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Friday, November 5, 2010

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors Approve Restrictions on Happy Meals

(Fox News) San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 on Tuesday to approve an ordinance that would limit toy giveaways in fast food children's meals that have excessive calories, sodium and fat.  It also requires servings of fruits or vegetables with each meal.  If it survives an expected veto from Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco would become the first major city in the country to pass such a law aimed at curbing childhood obesity.  It would go into effect December 2011 if supervisors once again approve it after Newsom's veto.  A similar ordinance has been approved in California's Santa Clara County, where it affected about a dozen restaurants.  Supervisors and activists who supported the measure said they hoped obesity-curbing efforts like it would eventually spread to other cities, states and the country.  "From San Francisco to New York, the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country is making people sick, making our kids sick, particularly kids form low-income neighborhoods," said Supervisor Eric Mar, who proposed the law.

McDonad's Corp. Representatives, who say the law would take the joy out of the Happy Meal, derided the vote outside of lawmakers' chambers at City Hall.  The company also said the law threatens business and restricts parents' ability to make choices for their children.  The ordinance includes an amendment indicating that it would not restrict restaurants' free speech or advertising.  Food companies have come under fire in recent years for their marketing to children.  Scott Rodrick, an owner and operator of 10 McDonald's restaurants in the city, said after the vote "there will be sales loss, there may be jobs impacted, and I know the city of San Francisco will lose tax income to people wanting a McDonald's experience without government intervention."  Rodrick said none of his current menu items would be allowed under the nutritional guidelines in the ordinance.  Those standards have been criticized by the company, who said proponents lack the evidence to support the claim that they would help reduce obesity.  Rodrick also pointed out that anyone could circumvent the law easily: "Someone doesn't have to travel very far--a mile outside San Francisco--to get the traditional McDonald's Happy Meals experience."

We're living in a country that's eventually going to turn into a fascist state (if not already) if the Obama administration and many of the Democrats have their way.  We've been hearing for the last couple of years First Lady Michelle Obama speak of the importance of good nutrition.  I don't deny the importance of good nutrition.  Parents need to watch what they feed their children.  However, it's not the federal government's responsibility or perogative to impose food standards to McDonald's or tell parents what type of meals to feed their children.  It's the parents' responsibility to raise their children.  Children aren't wards of the state.  Since Congress passed Obamacare in March, Congress and the President will be even more brazen in saying what parents should or shouldn't feed their children.  Obamacare will allow the government to become ever more intrusive in the lives of  U.S. citizens.  That's why it's so important that this newly elected Republican House not appropriate funds for Obamacare.  Whether or not the new Republican House, who takes charge in January 2011, will refuse to fund Obamacare remains to be seen.  If we have many RINO's in the House, then Obamacare will probably be funded.  With the passage of Obamacare in March, it allows the IRS to check and see if American citizens have obtained some form of health care. 

I agree that many of the menu items at McDonald's aren't very nutritional such as their Big Mac's, Quarter Pounder's, french fries, etc.  However, McDonald's also has some healthy food choices as well such as the salads, fruit n' yogurt parfait, apple dippers, etc.  It's not the government's place to tell McDonald's what type of food should be on their menu item.  It's ridiculous how many of the lawsuits aimed at McDonald's wants to point the blame at McDonald's for childhood obesity instead of the parents.  Parents don't have to take their children to McDonald's every night or ever.  There are other restaurants in which parents could take their families instead of McDonald's.  McDonald's isn't the only place where you can purchase food.  It would be more healthful if parents would purchase their food at the grocery and prepare meals at home.  I know there are times it's difficult to prepare meals some nights due to the various and sundry activities that take place in many homes across America.  Parents are the ones responsible for their children's health and well-being.  It's not the government's role to be a nanny state.  Consequently, that's the direction America is going.  More and more of our freedoms are going south.  I'm all for encouraging nutrition.  I believe it's important that we watch the type of food we ingest.  Much of the junk food our children eat isn't healthy nor does it help produce longevity. However, it's not the government's role to dictate to parents what their children should eat.  It's time that we send the message we're not going to stand for a nanny state.  That will produce nothing but fascism. 

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