Obama signs memorandum on childhood obesity

[disorderlyvision]

"In the Oval Office this morning, President Obama signed aPresidential Memorandum in conjunction with his wife's launch of anationwide campaign to tackle childhood obesity, what he called the'most urgent' health issue facing the country. ... The memorandumcreates a 90-day plan creating a task-force to provide 'optimalcoordination' between private sector companies, not-for-profits,agencies within the government and other organizations to address theproblem of childhood obesity."

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/02/its-done-honey-obama-signs-memorandum-on-childhood-obesity.html

[dannno]

This fat kid is pissed off cause he's hungry:

YouTube - angry fat kid (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rsDO7rlvNE)

[BlackTerrel]

Not sure if government has a solution but it's definitely a huge problem. I was in high school less than ten years ago and kids we used to make fun of for being fat would be in the majority today.

[Ethek]

Not sure if government has a solution but it's definitely a huge problem. I was in high school less than ten years ago and kids we used to make fun of for being fat would be in the majority today.

Government subsidies to any type of processed or manufactured food product including corn, soy and dairy need to go away. Big Ag needs to go away. Monsanto should have its charter revoked (most companies should)

Food would be more expensive but we would not be subsidizing unhealthy food.
Anything in a box has likely been forumlated to hit the right sensory points with the right amount of preservatives.

How many people shop strcitly along the outside of a grocery store? How many would know how too?

[BlackTerrel]

Government subsidies to any type of processed or manufactured food product including corn, soy and dairy need to go away. Big Ag needs to go away. Monsanto should have its charter revoked (most companies should)

What would you say to this argument?

In a free market supply and demand ebbs and flows and you can't always predict it. Sometimes supply is greater than demand and sometimes demand is greater than supply. A good example of the latter case was the Nintendo Wii - when it first came out demand far outstripped supply and for more than a year there were many people who wanted a Wii and simple couldn't get one at the store, there was not enough supply.

Now this is ok when we are talking about when we are talking about the Nintendo Wii (or many other products that this happens to) but catastrophic when talking about break and milk and fruits and vegetables etc... So it's worth it to ensure that we always have more than enough of these staples.

I generally believe in free markets but I'm willing to accept that there are exceptions - food being one of them.

This is the argument my economics professor makes.

[LittleLightShining]

People need to stop eating low-fat, sugar free crap.

A hunk of bacon washed down by a cup of sugary lemonade beats a fat-free lunchable any day of the week.

[dannno]

What would you say to this argument?

In a free market supply and demand ebbs and flows and you can't always predict it. Sometimes supply is greater than demand and sometimes demand is greater than supply. A good example of the latter case was the Nintendo Wii - when it first came out demand far outstripped supply and for more than a year there were many people who wanted a Wii and simple couldn't get one at the store, there was not enough supply.

Now this is ok when we are talking about when we are talking about the Nintendo Wii (or many other products that this happens to) but catastrophic when talking about break and milk and fruits and vegetables etc... So it's worth it to ensure that we always have more than enough of these staples.

I generally believe in free markets but I'm willing to accept that there are exceptions - food being one of them.

This is the argument my economics professor makes.

Tell that to the people who died in the Great Depression after the government plowed under food crops to prop up the price of food up so farmers could continue to make their loan payments.

Tell that to the people in Mexico who have had to pay nearly double the prices in corn due to subsidies by the Federal Government for ethanol.

Government intervention into the food supply has proven deadly.

There are free market mechanisms for keeping back-up food supplies. If we had competing currencies, then we could have gold certificates or silver certificates.. so why not have corn certificates? Or rice certificates? You could buy 40 lbs. of rice and hold on to the certificate. Let's say you bought your 40 lbs of rice certificates for 40 gold certificates. If the food supply is strong, then you can trade it around in the market to those willing to buy the rice certificates, just like currency. If there is a food shortage, then the price of food will go up, so the value of your rice certificate would go up. If you needed the rice, then you could trade in your certificates for the rice in storage. This would help relieve the general market because it is freeing up reserves to add to the food supply. Otherwise you would have had to dip into the general food supply to survive, driving up prices. On the other hand, if you have enough food where you are but there is a shortage elsewhere, you could sell your rice to somebody for maybe 50 or 60 gold certificates since the price of food has gone up. This mechanism that I am describing would help relieve the rice market, increase supplies and ultimately lower costs because the demand would not be driven as far beyond the original supply. So while it appears that you are "capitalizing" off of a disaster, you are in fact aiding the victims by providing the goods they need, and you should benefit because you saved and invested in creating those reserves for them. So it's a win for everybody.

The best part about this plan is that it puts the true wealth in the hands of the individuals rather than government. Government is inept in carrying out monetary policy, I have no reason to trust their judgment in taking care of our food.

[Elle]

Welfare needs to be revamped. Stop allowing EBT card holders to use the card at fast food joints. Stop allowing the purchase of Pepsi, Red Bull, Doritos and other garbage foods. Better yet, in inner cities tear down the vacant building and turn under those lots and let the Welfare recipients plant urban gardens. Make them actually work for the handouts they feel they are entitled to.

And why do college kids need EBT cards?

[ScoutsHonor]

Tell that to the people who died in the Great Depression after the government plowed under food crops to prop up the price of food up so farmers could continue to make their loan payments.

Tell that to the people in Mexico who have had to pay nearly double the prices in corn due to subsidies by the Federal Government for ethanol.

Government intervention into the food supply has proven deadly.

There are free market mechanisms for keeping back-up food supplies. If we had competing currencies, then we could have gold certificates or silver certificates.. so why not have corn certificates? Or rice certificates? You could buy 40 lbs. of rice and hold on to the certificate. Let's say you bought your 40 lbs of rice certificates for 40 gold certificates. If the food supply is strong, then you can trade it around in the market to those willing to buy the rice certificates, just like currency. If there is a food shortage, then the price of food will go up, so the value of your rice certificate would go up. If you needed the rice, then you could trade in your certificates for the rice in storage. This would help relieve the general market because it is freeing up reserves to add to the food supply. Otherwise you would have had to dip into the general food supply to survive, driving up prices. On the other hand, if you have enough food where you are but there is a shortage elsewhere, you could sell your rice to somebody for maybe 50 or 60 gold certificates since the price of food has gone up. This mechanism that I am describing would help relieve the rice market, increase supplies and ultimately lower costs because the demand would not be driven as far beyond the original supply. So while it appears that you are "capitalizing" off of a disaster, you are in fact aiding the victims by providing the goods they need, and you should benefit because you saved and invested in creating those reserves for them. So it's a win for everybody.

The best part about this plan is that it puts the true wealth in the hands of the individuals rather than government. Government is inept in carrying out monetary policy, I have no reason to trust their judgment in taking care of our food.

+++
Bump!

[BlackTerrel]

There are free market mechanisms for keeping back-up food supplies. If we had competing currencies, then we could have gold certificates or silver certificates.. so why not have corn certificates? Or rice certificates? You could buy 40 lbs. of rice and hold on to the certificate. Let's say you bought your 40 lbs of rice certificates for 40 gold certificates. If the food supply is strong, then you can trade it around in the market to those willing to buy the rice certificates, just like currency. If there is a food shortage, then the price of food will go up, so the value of your rice certificate would go up. If you needed the rice, then you could trade in your certificates for the rice in storage. This would help relieve the general market because it is freeing up reserves to add to the food supply. Otherwise you would have had to dip into the general food supply to survive, driving up prices. On the other hand, if you have enough food where you are but there is a shortage elsewhere, you could sell your rice to somebody for maybe 50 or 60 gold certificates since the price of food has gone up. This mechanism that I am describing would help relieve the rice market, increase supplies and ultimately lower costs because the demand would not be driven as far beyond the original supply. So while it appears that you are "capitalizing" off of a disaster, you are in fact aiding the victims by providing the goods they need, and you should benefit because you saved and invested in creating those reserves for them. So it's a win for everybody.

I don't see how competing currencies or rice certificates stops shortages. Despite the free market there was a Nintendo Wii shortage for about two years. Demand FAR outclipped supply. In a free market there are many times shortages for goods - if it's the iPhone or a Nintendo Wii it's ok - if it's bread and milk and fruits and vegetables the shit hits the fan.

[New2Libertarianism]

Just a mask to take our freedoms away.

[LibertarianfromGermany]

I don't see how competing currencies or rice certificates stops shortages. Despite the free market there was a Nintendo Wii shortage for about two years. Demand FAR outclipped supply. In a free market there are many times shortages for goods - if it's the iPhone or a Nintendo Wii it's ok - if it's bread and milk and fruits and vegetables the shit hits the fan.

Can't compare those two; the wii is a luxury article meaning it's hard to predict how many want it because you can very well live without it. Also, it's a new products which means the initial demand for it is not so easily determined. There's always a great demand for food though; everyone needs food and that won't change anywhere in the near future. People will not just say "Hm, I think I don't really want any food for the next few years" so producers can count on a steady demand of food.

[BlackTerrel]

Can't compare those two; the wii is a luxury article meaning it's hard to predict how many want it because you can very well live without it. Also, it's a new products which means the initial demand for it is not so easily determined. There's always a great demand for food though; everyone needs food and that won't change anywhere in the near future. People will not just say "Hm, I think I don't really want any food for the next few years" so producers can count on a steady demand of food.

In-climate weather can have a severe impact on supply. Nintendo wii hard to predict demand, food hard to predict supply. Both can cause shortages.

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

Not sure if government has a solution but it's definitely a huge problem. I was in high school less than ten years ago and kids we used to make fun of for being fat would be in the majority today.

Science is now actually starting to uncover the fact that obesity (like other diseases) is linked to, not what you eat (or how much) but bacteria. Heart disease is another 'infection' that is being mistreated all the time. Diet's generally don't work and there are logical evolutionary reasons for why we tend to store fat.

[BlackTerrel]

Brooklyn - I give that "science" about as much weight as I do the magazines at the grocery store "How to lose weight in 5 minutes a day" or "the new trick to six pack abs". There's no trick.

People are fat because they eat too much unhealthy food and exercise too little. Sure there might be a small small percentage of people who have some genetic disorder. But for the most part if they exercised more and ate less sugar and fat they'd be ok.

If it is genetic why are obesity rates climbing so dramatically? Not just in the US but around the world?

Watch this video and keep in mind that this dude was considered a fat POS 30 years ago. He would probably be considered average today.

YouTube - Full Metal Jacket - Private Pile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OZS6wem7OQ)

[LibertarianfromGermany]

In-climate weather can have a severe impact on supply. Nintendo wii hard to predict demand, food hard to predict supply. Both can cause shortages.

So, what is government gonna do about in-climate weather then? How would government intervention help with any of this?

[BlackTerrel]

Government pays farmer to make more food than we need. Thus making sure we have an overabundance of supply.

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

Brooklyn - I give that "science" about as much weight as I do the magazines at the grocery store "How to lose weight in 5 minutes a day" or "the new trick to six pack abs". There's no trick.

Well, I can see there is no point in debating you as your mind is made up to follow what the fucking douchebag 'weight loss' industry has touted going on 4 decades at the very least. Whatever.

[heavenlyboy34]

Welfare needs to be revamped. Stop allowing EBT card holders to use the card at fast food joints. Stop allowing the purchase of Pepsi, Red Bull, Doritos and other garbage foods. Better yet, in inner cities tear down the vacant building and turn under those lots and let the Welfare recipients plant urban gardens. Make them actually work for the handouts they feel they are entitled to.

And why do college kids need EBT cards?

EBT cards can't be used for fast food in AZ. I don't know why it would be allowed in other states. :confused:

[heavenlyboy34]

Science is now actually starting to uncover the fact that obesity (like other diseases) is linked to, not what you eat (or how much) but bacteria. Heart disease is another 'infection' that is being mistreated all the time. Diet's generally don't work and there are logical evolutionary reasons for why we tend to store fat.

It's my understanding that diet is very much linked to obesity. Certain foods tend to "activate" the gene that tells the body to store fat. I'm only an amateur at this, but I've had good success by eliminating foods that tend to cause weight gain (corn, starches, sugars, simple carbohydrates).

[angelatc]

I don't see how competing currencies or rice certificates stops shortages. Despite the free market there was a Nintendo Wii shortage for about two years.

That's because Nintendo didn't allow their retailers the freedom to raise prices. Price caps create shortages.

[angelatc]

From my Google Buzz:
There are a whole lot of fat children in this country. I wouldn't call it nanny state to try to address it.

If a federal government getting involved in the feeding of children isn't indicative of a nanny state, nothing ever will be.

[AParadigmShift]

I think the First Lady of the Imperium summed up the "War On Obesity" in terms no MIC-worshiping Republicrat would dare fault. Said Madame Warbama (http://cnsnews.com/news/article/61157),


“A recent study put the health care cost of obesity-related diseases at $147 billion a year,” Mrs. Obama said. “This epidemic also impacts the nation’s security, as obesity is now one of the most common disqualifiers for military service.”

Surprised?

[RideTheDirt]

YouTube - Ron Paul vs. Morton Downey, Jr.'s audience 1988 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88REf0tjZHo)

every time i read about this, I recall this clip!

The government can't make you a better person, it can't make you follow good habits.Why don't they put you on a diet, your a little overweight!
Ron, don't give the tyrants any more ideas!

[BlackTerrel]

Well, I can see there is no point in debating you as your mind is made up to follow what the fucking douchebag 'weight loss' industry has touted going on 4 decades at the very least. Whatever.

The opposite. I don't believe in the weight loss indsutry. I think it's really simple - you get fat by eating too much unhealthy food and not exercising enough.

If it is genetic as you claim why are people so much fatter today than they were 30 years ago - heck than they were 10 years ago.

[Brooklyn Red Leg]

If it is genetic as you claim why are people so much fatter today than they were 30 years ago - heck than they were 10 years ago.

Genetic? Are you fucking kidding me? Where the FUCK did I say it was genetic? I said BACTERIOLOGICAL! And PLEASE, find me a legitimate statistic that shows that 'people are fatter now than 30 years ago'.

[BlackTerrel]

Genetic? Are you fucking kidding me? Where the FUCK did I say it was genetic? I said BACTERIOLOGICAL!

Ok my mistake. So how do people get this bacteria and how do we stop it. And how come so many guys that play video games and eat doritos get this bacteria but very few NBA players get this bacteria?


And PLEASE, find me a legitimate statistic that shows that 'people are fatter now than 30 years ago'.

Take a trip to the DMV sometime. Heck the kids in my high school now are way fatter than they were just five years ago.