Today I awoke to what can only be described as another assault upon our choice and ultimately our responsibility as human beings. Santa Clara Supervisor Ken Yeager has taken it upon himself to spearhead legislation that will ultimately ban the “happy” part of the “Happy Meal” – namely, the toy!
Here is my open letter to Mr. Yeager in a plea for sanity:
Dear Mr. Yeager,
I do not work for the fast food industry. I did about 22 years ago when I was in high school, but that has no bearing on my plea to stop the insane legislation you are proposing.
I am a 37 year old male who grew up in Santa Clara Valley and current reside there. I have three children, ages 10, 7 and 4 and I place a lot of value in their health and happiness. My wife and I make their lunches every day and provide a balance between fun and healthy items within that lunch.
As a parent, it is my responsibility to ensure that my kids are taught right from wrong, fact from fiction, and healthy from not. I abhore the idea that we have to legislate for the parents who do not take that initiative to be watchful for their children’s health. Does it sound right that kids should be penalized for poor management of their caloric intake by their parent(s)? To blame the meal because it includes a toy as the culprit is just insane thinking. The meal is still going to be cheap and affordable for those in need of a quick dinner. Where will this line of thinking stop? Maybe a ban on video game sales in Santa Clara because kids sit too much in front of the T.V.?
In today’s health concious society, their are many options for parents wanting to find a better balance within their fast-food options. Many fast food companies allow you to substitue poor health oriented food like french fries and soda with apple slices and milk.
You know who is to blame – the parents. You know who is going to suffer – the independent business owners and the children.
I have a saying I garnered from Armstrong and Getty radio and it goes like this:
‘You cannot legislate stupidity or ignorance’
Please stop wasting money on poor legislation and do something else for the kids to get them fit. After school programs and activities that get the children away from the T.V. and Computer are what they need. Put your funding and your money into those programs – better our parks, our education and public safety and the kids will go out and play.
Well, there it is in a nutshell – you really cannot fault a politician for attempting to make a name for himself, but there are better ways to find a solution to this problem. For now, I guess my kids will be penalized for the few irresponsible parents out there.
My blog – my two cents.
B
What is certain to be a death knell to our democratic way of living, the supreme court took it upon themselves to extend the 1st amendment (Free Speech) to corporations. The decision allows for the unlimited giving of funds to a campaign to further the agenda and cause of a political party, person, or proposition.
What does this mean? Just that the large corporations with gobs of money can now steer a political candidate and fund their own agenda around the democratic process and essentially drown out John Q. Public from ever being heard. Your vote just became that less important to the candidate – why would a candidate try to fight for the individual when he can focus on several large corporations and secure all the funding he needs – it isn’t that you will be flagrantly ignored… you will just be lost in the shuffle.
Think about it – if a technology company wanted to get a bio-chip installed in all Americans, all they need to do is find a candidate, throw gobs of money at the campaign and effectively get their voice into congress – and that person can further the agenda of the company and not the people. (yes, this is an extreme example).
Companies will now start furthering their own agendas by voting in their candidates. Large Insurance companies not wanting a government run healthcare initiative, Big OIL companies wanting lax controls on environmental initiatives or recalls on existing laws, and other nefarious acts by large companies with no regards to the individual or society.
Mark my words and hear them – our Democracy is dying and and new Republic dictatorship or autocratic society will rise in its stead – We will have no rights and no ability to rebel by the time we notice it.
Think George Orwellian, ala “1984″ or a “V for Vendetta” based society.
Want to read the article about it – here
Why is this news that the budget Czar for the Obama Administration had a girlfriend – they broke up – he found someone else and became engaged and then found out his ex had a child.
Why is this news? Anyone?
Is it morally suspect that people are having sex outside of a union? Yes, but newsworthy? I could see it as newsworthy on like the Valley Catholic or some religious news agency, but MSNBC and the Today Show have to trump it up to garner viewership.
WHO CARES!
What is really mind-boggling is the comments from readers in the comments section (found on newsvine) from all sorts of nuts?!? “If this was G.W.’s administration…” or “It will be great when Obama is out of office in 2012″ and all sorts of bullshit statements that have nothing to do with either the administration or the job the Budget Czar is performing.
Stick to the facts and if the facts are actually newsworthy, print them – this isn’t newsworthy – it is time consuming drivel for a reality-show, voyeuristic based society that is both sad and pathetic.
Here is the LINK in case you want to read the craptastic article.
