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davidthegnome

(2,983 posts)
17. Doctors don't pass legislation
Mon Feb 18, 2013, 01:46 PM
Feb 2013

Unless they're also politicians.

I suppose I'm something of a pessimist, as I tend to concentrate on the negative aspects of such things. Overall, eating healthier will lead to a healthier population. What I find suspect, are the motives of those who would promote, pass - and ultimately enforce such legislation. Perhaps today's soda products will be replaced by mass produced orange juice. Perhaps our fast food joints will be replaced with restaurants, that, instead, specialize in salads. Is this a bad thing? Not by itself, unless we consider what becomes necessary and/or more convenient with the increase in mass production. Genetically modified fruits and vegetables come to mind. Nutritional benefits will be (and have been) sacrificed for the sake of profit. This should be clear to anyone who has a fair understanding of what our cows eat - these animals that produce our dairy products, beef, and so on. We eat what they eat.

If our governments and health institutions are overall enabled to become solely responsible for our diets, we may become healthier and live longer. The question is what they will do with such control, with such increased authority over the daily lives and activities of their citizens. When we consider the average amount of Nutritional education the average Doctor receives, this is somewhat troubling. It wasn't all that long ago that schools (at least my local schools) peddled the "food pyramid".

Do we have the right to make the wrong decision? Do we have the right to eat things that are bad for us? I suppose the same argument is frequently applied to alcohol and drugs. Well, the war on drugs has failed (even if it is still being fought). The prohibition failed long ago.

I can just imagine a world where we have to have illegal institutions in order to purchase cheese burgers, milk shakes, or soda.

I'm all for better health. I just think we should have the right to seek it for ourselves. Or, the right to choose otherwise.

If we really want a healthier world, perhaps we should be pouring more money into nutritional education. When people understand why they should do something, I think they're more likely to do it than if force is attempted.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Excellent idea! onwardsand upwards Feb 2013 #1
It's the logical progression from the way cigarettes are treated magellan Feb 2013 #2
Not Fizzy Lifting Drinks, I hope! Orrex Feb 2013 #3
We need to taz something that is really deadly whistler162 Feb 2013 #4
/dopeslap keroro gunsou Feb 2013 #5
Doctors in the UK call for these health issues to be addressed. USA Dr.s say, bring $ and insurance. Sunlei Feb 2013 #6
"USA Dr's say bring $ and insurance or drop dead plump people" T_i_B Feb 2013 #8
difference is the UK has healthcare for ALL, USA citizens have to pay or crawl to emergency to die Sunlei Feb 2013 #12
That's exactly what the UK government is trying to dismantle T_i_B Feb 2013 #20
The UK has the USA as an example of private healthcare fraud/costs,they won't ruin ruin their system Sunlei Feb 2013 #25
Uh, yay for The Nanny State? davidthegnome Feb 2013 #7
The state DOES have the power to legislate such things here Prophet 451 Feb 2013 #10
USA neighborhoods can regulate and fine for, grass height, no cars on sunday,no alcohol, lots more.. Sunlei Feb 2013 #26
Why assume that things will be taken to extremes? People are generally well-intentioned bhikkhu Feb 2013 #11
Because in the vast majority of cases they are. davidthegnome Feb 2013 #14
It's doctors who want this, not politicians, or corporations muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #16
Doctors don't pass legislation davidthegnome Feb 2013 #17
So it's the doctors you are attacking muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #18
"Obesity in Young Is Seen as Falling in Several (U.S.) Cities" KurtNYC Feb 2013 #13
Well then davidthegnome Feb 2013 #15
Misleading headline. "Fizzy drinks" are not being banned. mainer Feb 2013 #9
"Fizzy drinks" in the UK HoneychildMooseMoss Feb 2013 #19
mainer is right about the headline T_i_B Feb 2013 #23
I'd be OK with banning junk food ads ONLY from kids' TV programs. alp227 Feb 2013 #21
For clarity dipsydoodle Feb 2013 #22
As a person that has struggled with weight their whole life... EastKYLiberal Feb 2013 #24
Great idea! Wellness rules. graham4anything Feb 2013 #27
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Tax fizzy drinks and ban ...»Reply #17