Is it alright for the government to tell you what to eat?

Question

The reason I ask is because of the recent law passed in New York city. This is where all restaurants are now banned from using trans fat in their food. The stuff that makes fries, pies and and burgers taste delicious. It seems to me that the government feels that people are too dumb to make up their minds on what to do. People know the harmful effects of things like fatty foods and smoking, let us decide for ourselves if we want to indulge. It is only harming ourselves not others. This seems like a very slippery slope. What is next fast food, roller coasters, and contact sports?

Answer 1

People who believe in rights, freedom and liberty are appalled at what petty despot Bloomberg and the city government have done. Smoking bans also fall under the heading of tyranny.

“Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." Daniel Webster

"The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of giving the servants of tyranny a good conscience." Albert Camus

"In a free society, government has the responsibility of protecting us from others, but not from ourselves." Walter Williams

Answer 2

Often times, to quote you, "people are too dumb to make up their minds on what to do." I agree that trans fats are not healthy, but unless they're laso going to ban ice cream and pizza, and set limits on portion size, America will always be an obese nation. And as long as we're happy that way, why should the Government get involved??

I think it's ridiculous. We don't need a national Weight Watchers program. If you're that out of control, go sign up for Jenny Craig. But don't get between me and my 2 Double Cheeseburgers--Only Ketchup, plain McChicken sandwhich, chocolate dipped cone and large Coke. When McDonald's is limited to selling only salads, I'm moving somewhere else.

PS--I do agree with things like smoking bans, where you cannot smoke inside the building, or within several feet of the door. Second-hand smoke affects other people health-wise, and is just plain unpleasant for those of us who don't smoke. However, my cheeseburgers aren't going to affect you at all. :)

Answer 3

Personally, I wish they'd butt out. Anything in excess is unhealthy. They can't guarentee "safety and no ill health" for foods that are supposidly safe. Anyone up for some green onions? With all the e-coli outbreaks and pressure to eat more fresh vegetables and fruit......they might be better off putting their efforts in making sure our food supply of supposidly healthy things are safe before banning things they deem unhealthy. I doubt very seriously my smoke from a cigarette while I'm outside by a dumpster is killing anyone more than the exhaust from the garbage truck that picks up the dumpster. My chances of dying from pneumonia by being forced to stand out in sub-zero weather is probably going to kill me faster than my cigarette or my second hand smoke to someone else. Nothing is 100% perfectly safe and totally healthy and as far as I know....dying is all a part of the journey.

Answer 4

Unfortunatly it seems the public does not have the discipline to eat the right foods, or eat foods that are not good in moderation. I do not believe that the government should tell people what to eat. As for those of you who say that you are only hurting yourself, that is not true. We all pay for it when it comes from dealing with the after effects of obesity. Such as higher medical premiums

Answer 5

The constitution is clear that congress should only be involved in things that the states cannot do. The states are definitly capable of taking care of any socialists/communist/facist food policies.

You cannot buy food sweetened with stevia.. a safe leaf based sweetner that has been in use for 200 years.

you cannot buy un pasteurized milk or milk products wihtout being a famrer or owning a cow.

imagine.. you cannot buy milk you want!!!!

we are losing rights daily.

Answer 6

I don't agree with government making decisions for us.

However I believe that 90% of the people on state and federal aid and not smart enough to make wise decisions for themselves and since they can't discriminate against them they make the populace adhere to the rules.

All they are doing are trying to keep the cattle mentality (goverment owes me) cost of health down

Answer 7

Legislating good eating habits, banning smoking and forcing people to buckle their seat belt or not talk on a cell phone when driving are just about as close to communism as you can get remember just ignore your rights and they will go away

Answer 8

I think they have gotten way out of control. Where I go to school, we are not allowed to wear ribbons of any kind in our hair because "they" say it is a form of head wear. We are also not allowed to wear head bands. This stuff ticks me off.

Answer 9

In the Liberal world the gov has control of everything in ones life
a start to socialism the liberal system of gov

Answer 10

I don't trust ' government ' if that's what they're calling themselves these days. I just treat them like the Mafia or enemy insurgents or any other manifestation of a satanic kingdom.