Law curbs McDonald's Happy Meal toys

[JohnRich 4]

News:

Law curbs McDonald's Happy Meal toys

San Francisco has become the first major U.S. city to pass a law that cracks down on the popular practice of giving away free toys with unhealthy restaurant meals for children.

The law would require that restaurant kids' meals meet certain nutritional standards before they could be sold with toys...

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101103/us_nm/us_mcdonalds_toys

[airdvr 210]

Nanny state. While I agree those meals are nutritionally devoid do we really need big brother telling the kiddies they can't have that toy?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[beowulf 1]

The parents should be responsible for their childrens nutrition not restaurants. I think it's a silly law and really won't change a thing.

[airdvr 210]

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The parents should be responsible for their childrens nutrition not the government. I think it's a silly law and really won't change a thing.

FIFY

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[pirana 0]

If we are gonna go nanny state, let's do it properly. Punish, I mean incent, the actual decision makers. Put shock collars on the parents and if they do not go at least 5 days between feeding their kids one of these happy Meals-O-Goo; ZAP EM.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[rehmwa 2]

Look, if we don't legislate things, how am I supposed to force people to do various things the way I WANT them to?

c'mon

c'mon

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[masterrig 1]

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The parents should be responsible for their childrens nutrition not restaurants. I think it's a silly law and really won't change a thing.

I agree! Too many parents are scared to death to tell their kids one little word... NO!


Chuck

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

Quote

The parents should be responsible for their childrens nutrition not restaurants. I think it's a silly law and really won't change a thing.

I agree! Too many parents are scared to death to tell their kids one little word... NO!


Chuck

That is because parents are too busy trying to keep the score and competition away from their fragile little minds.

This pretty much sums it up for me. The patient is what is so wrong in this country.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[popsjumper 2]

Americans.....can't get the hand basket to move fast enough to get to hell.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[masterrig 1]

Quote

Quote

Quote

The parents should be responsible for their childrens nutrition not restaurants. I think it's a silly law and really won't change a thing.

I agree! Too many parents are scared to death to tell their kids one little word... NO!


Chuck

That is because parents are too busy trying to keep the score and competition away from their fragile little minds.

This pretty much sums it up for me. The patient is what is so wrong in this country.

That commercial is the best!!! We need more 'gunnies'!


Chuck

[rhaig 0]

I've noticed other fast food places aren't putting toys in their kids meals now. Instead there is the choice between 2-3 kinds of cookies, or apple slices.

That is when they ask. sometimes it's just a cookie without asking.

--
Rob

[Skyrad 0]

No wonder childhood obesity is increasing year on year in the US.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Southern_Man 0]

Nanny state nonesense.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[Skyrad 0]

You don't believe that obesity is rising year on year in the USA and that junk food marketed at children plays a part in the problem?

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[turtlespeed 226]

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You don't believe that obesity is rising year on year in the USA and that junk food marketed at children plays a part in the problem?

You don't believe that the government is NOT responsible for parents decisions or rather the inability to make correct decisions? Or are you one who would enforce your beliefs on everyone?

Market what you want, if the parents say NO, then they will market something else.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Southern_Man 0]

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You don't believe that obesity is rising year on year in the USA and that junk food marketed at children plays a part in the problem?

I don't believe that this legislation will have any impact on that at all.

McDonald's easiest way to comply is to continue to sell Happy Meals but just substitute a gigantic cookie for the toy. Nutritionally even worse but in compliance. Such are the unintended consequences of government action.

More impact would be had by ending corporate subsidies for the growing and processing of corn and including derivatives such as lechtin in everything.

I am a libertarian, so I am all for people's freedom to make choices even when those choices are not healthy or good for them.

I don't like McDonald's and have not eaten at one since 1997 (nor Burger King, Hardees, Wendys) since I got food poisoning at one. My children have not eaten there since then either.

If you don't like Happy Meals or their nutritional content you are free to not eat them.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[rehmwa 2]

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You don't believe that obesity is rising year on year in the USA and that junk food marketed at children plays a part in the problem?

nope

cars are the problem - if the parents didn't have cars, then they couldn't drive to work - if they don't go to work, they wouldn't have money - without money, they wouldn't be able to purchase the junk food - without the junk food, then the kids won't get fatter

see? so the government should take over the car industry and only give cars to people that already have money

Or, we could just blame the parents for (over)feeding the crap to their kids - but your way is much more fun

Edit: it might be fun to turn this into a spanking thread.... If parents were allowed to discipline their kids, then the kids wouldn't need saturated fats to keep them under control.........the government should mandate spanking

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Skyrad 0]

Do the parents have viable options? The premis of the iniative by Michelle Obama and supported by anidotal evidence on this thread is that there is a derth of choice.
Outside of a US centric viewpoint in any government that has to burden the cost of obesity (and not just financial) has a responsibility to ensure that the population are educated to be able to make the correct choices and should try to influence them to do so.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rehmwa 2]

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any government that has to burden the cost of obesity (and not just financial) has a responsibility to ensure that the population are educated to be able to make the correct choices and should try to influence them to do so.

'influence' is a key word if one accepts the above premise

what is influence vs just improper mandate?

I'm into very subtle influence - I think a gov program where fat kids in schools have to slowly walk the playground while all the other kids sing "fatty, fatty, two by four" while throwing bits of tree bark at them is a less costly plan to the economy.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Southern_Man 0]

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Do the parents have viable options? The premis of the iniative by Michelle Obama and supported by anidotal evidence on this thread is that there is a derth of choice.
Outside of a US centric viewpoint in any government that has to burden the cost of obesity (and not just financial) has a responsibility to ensure that the population are educated to be able to make the correct choices and should try to influence them to do so.

There is nutrition education provided multiple years at every public school system that I have any knowledge of (the places I've lived and my friends have lived and our children have gone to school).

A large problem with nutrition is that our government heavily subsidies the production of crap.

Again, San Francisco banning toys is not going to do anything to fix that.

San Francisco is a very high income area so I don't think lack of choices is one of their problems.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"

[turtlespeed 226]

Quote

Do the parents have viable options? The premis of the iniative by Michelle Obama and supported by anidotal evidence on this thread is that there is a derth of choice.
Outside of a US centric viewpoint in any government that has to burden the cost of obesity (and not just financial) has a responsibility to ensure that the population are educated to be able to make the correct choices and should try to influence them to do so.

Yes, you can make a decision to not be sofa king lazy, and not buy the happy meal.

Walk around. Get off the couch and do something.

It REALLY is that simple . . . Well, it is, if you beliee that the government shouldn't be your life coach or your babysitter or your provider.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Skyrad 0]

Quote

I think a gov program where fat kids in schools have to slowly walk the playground while all the other kids sing "fatty, fatty, two by four" while throwing bits of tree bark at them is a less costly plan to the economy.

What has ridicule got to do with anything. I assume that was a off the cuff facile remark for the sake of humour? Health is not just about the body and includes mental health which would hardly be helped by such a programme would it. Obesity negativly affects both.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Quote

I think a gov program where fat kids in schools have to slowly walk the playground while all the other kids sing "fatty, fatty, two by four" while throwing bits of tree bark at them is a less costly plan to the economy.

What has ridicule got to do with anything. I assume that was a off the cuff facile remark for the sake of humour? Health is not just about the body and includes mental health which would hardly be helped by such a programme would it. Obesity negativly affects both.

see? my ludicrous example of 'influence' is probably more effective at motivating kids to make better choices (despite their lazy parents) than SanFran's stupid and impotent new law

AND, the bark is an excellent source of fiber

it's called 'obnoxious escalation' here in speaker's corner (TM)

for the children

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[skyrider 0]

We start letting big government tell people how to run their businesses, then where will the line be drawn?

How about start by educating people?

Not telling them how to market!

[Skyrad 0]

Quote

Quote

Do the parents have viable options? The premis of the iniative by Michelle Obama and supported by anidotal evidence on this thread is that there is a derth of choice.
Outside of a US centric viewpoint in any government that has to burden the cost of obesity (and not just financial) has a responsibility to ensure that the population are educated to be able to make the correct choices and should try to influence them to do so.

Yes, you can make a decision to not be sofa king lazy, and not buy the happy meal.

Walk around. Get off the couch and do something.

It REALLY is that simple . . . Well, it is, if you beliee that the government shouldn't be your life coach or your babysitter or your provider.

Of course exercise is an important part of the equation but its only part of the solution, diet has to be included in any fight against societal obesity.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca