Should Thailand tax junk food to help fight obesity?

[singa-traz]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Don't worry, I'm sure we can identify some other socially objectionable flaws, where your contribution could be solicited via some innovative taxes ...

In the workplace for example, I find obnoxious people to have a real negative impact to the working environment.

But to come back on topic, companies/communities could have a role to play, in encouraging people to be more aware of their overweight issue, and in guiding them to take the appropriate steps to get their weight undercontrol. People in better health can only be a positive point for productivity.

I find tools like Fitbit interesting to look at, and could be the basis to design a program to get people on the right track.

I'm aware of company, where people have informally introduce some competition like "The biggest loser" among peers, just to motivate everyone.

It would probably gain to be better structure, to avoid extrem/unhealthy diet, just to stay on top of the leaderboard.

[mogandave]

For so many posters here it's a given that government provides health insurance, and therefore has a right to dictate what they do with their body.

I'm not willing to give up my liberty for (perceived) security, and I think you're a bunch of cowards who are afraid to take care of yourselves. I also think you're a bunch of shaking, nosy old ladies who want to control everyone else's lives.

I have a suggestion for you. Fk off and let me breath the fresh air of liberty.

Still friends?

Get your hand off it.

No one is dictating how anyone acts. Only that they pay for the consequences they cause. You blokes are all about personal liberty, but when your actions affect others, you are more than happy to show them the middle finger.

Lefty is telling me I HAVE to buy insurance, and I HAVE to buy it from him.

Is that not lefty giving ME the finger?

What's all this 'lefty' nonsense? Right wing governments across the world oversee and administer national health systems. It is only in the bubble world of US 'exceptionalism', spoonfed by years of brainwashing from those rent seekers and the lobbyists of the doctors union (otherwise known as the AMA) associating what is otherwise good conservative economics somehow with 'socialism'. But I guess if US exceptionalism is all about paying double the price for your health care, for worse results, then you can have it. I'll take something else thanks.

The rest of us outside in the real world will look for practical solutions, and not be brainwashed by ideology, whatever that may be.

As usual, lefty does not address what's been said, rather he goes on the attache and changes the subject .

[mogandave]

Australia is quite obese as well ...

I'm quite trim actually.

Humsum as well ...

I'll buy you a San Migel Light next time I'm in Pattaya ...

What does your personal life have to do with this topic? This is about social policy for the nation of Thailand. Not your gossip / social games.

Yes, another lefty policy of regressive taxes that rewards the rich and punishes the poor.

[mogandave]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

[Thai at Heart]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

[mogandave]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

[Thai at Heart]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

There are plenty of apparently perfectly healthy people who can't pay for their treatments.

I like to think that as humans we have gone a little beyond the law of the prairie.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[mogandave]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

There are plenty of apparently perfectly healthy people who can't pay for their treatments.

I like to think that as humans we have gone a little beyond the law of the prairie.

If they are perfectly healthy, why do they need treatments?

Law of the prairie?

In the US, if my kid goes to the orthodontist, I pay a $50 a visit + 20% of the bill.

A kid on Medical (welfare) pays nothing for the same service, in the same office, from the same dentist.

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

[Thai at Heart]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

There are plenty of apparently perfectly healthy people who can't pay for their treatments.

I like to think that as humans we have gone a little beyond the law of the prairie.

If they are perfectly healthy, why do they need treatments?

Law of the prairie?

In the US, if my kid goes to the orthodontist, I pay a $50 a visit + 20% of the bill.

A kid on Medical (welfare) pays nothing for the same service, in the same office, from the same dentist.

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

People have catastrophic events that befall them all the time. My cousin was perfectly healthy and woke up one day with a brain tumour at the age of 32. Struck down in his prime.

Still alive 10,years later and barely has any quality of life other than what his govnerment money provides to him. Without assistance he would not be alive today.

I have no problem with people paying or contributing to the payment if they can. The issue is more whether if they can't afford to pay whatsoever, what to do? Treat or not?

Rarely do people face catastrophic illness from dentistry.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[MrGaoMungGawn]

Candy bars are already through the roof, price-wise.

Why so expensive?

[mogandave]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

There are plenty of apparently perfectly healthy people who can't pay for their treatments.

I like to think that as humans we have gone a little beyond the law of the prairie.

If they are perfectly healthy, why do they need treatments?

Law of the prairie?

In the US, if my kid goes to the orthodontist, I pay a $50 a visit + 20% of the bill.

A kid on Medical (welfare) pays nothing for the same service, in the same office, from the same dentist.

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

People have catastrophic events that befall them all the time. My cousin was perfectly healthy and woke up one day with a brain tumour at the age of 32. Struck down in his prime.

Still alive 10,years later and barely has any quality of life other than what his govnerment money provides to him. Without assistance he would not be alive today.

I have no problem with people paying or contributing to the payment if they can. The issue is more whether if they can't afford to pay whatsoever, what to do? Treat or not?

Rarely do people face catastrophic illness from dentistry.

So if your "cousin" did not get money from the government, apparently you and the rest of your family would let him starve, and you guys call conservatives heartless.

I had a catastrophic illness three years ago and spent north of US$40,000 out of pocket for medication. People on Medical (welfare) get the treatment free.

Why is my healthcare being ruined under the guise of helping people I already have to pay for?

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

[Jingthing]

This thread isn't yet another excuse for radical libertarian Americans to WHINE about Obamacare. Geez! There are plenty of other venues in the world for that, eh?

http://www.alternet.org/why-i-fled-libertarianism-and-became-liberal

If you think that selfishness and cruelty are fantastic personal traits, you might be a libertarian. In the movement no one will ever call you an a--hole, but rather, say you believe in radical individualism.

...
...
Libertarians think they own the word “freedom,” but it’s a word that often obfuscates more than enlightens. If you believe the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quote “None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free,” then libertarians live in a prison of their own ideology.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[mogandave]

This thread isn't yet another excuse for radical libertarian Americans to WHINE about Obamacare. Geez! There are plenty of other venues in the world for that, eh?

http://www.alternet.org/why-i-fled-libertarianism-and-became-liberal

If you think that selfishness and cruelty are fantastic personal traits, you might be a libertarian. In the movement no one will ever call you an a--hole, but rather, say you believe in radical individualism.

No, it is about lefty pretending to care about people while once again taxing the poor to benefit the rich.

Again, if lefty does not like white rice, why can he just not eat it?

If he doesn't like McDonald's, don't go there.

If he doesn't like Big Gulps, don't buy one.

Why are the rest of us being punished because of something someone else does?

[Jingthing]

The intention of the OP is more about developing social policies to address the growing obesity epidemic at a national level in Thailand and save lives. Leave "Lefty" out of it. The radical libertarian approach does none of that. It's just a pie in the sky purist ideology that simply doesn't work at moving towards goals for society as a whole. Say to everyone, deal with it yourselves, and they mostly don't, and these wacko libertarian radicals simply don't care. Thailand's obesity problem is moving in the direction of Mexico. How to stop it? Do NOTHING is what these radicals suggest. They ONLY care about themselves. What kind of SOCIETY is that exactly? When large portions of countries are seriously ill due to obesity, it hurts the entire nation, not only the individuals. Action from government is the LOGICAL and ethical thing to do in such circumstances, it's a matter of PUBLIC health.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[mogandave]

The intention of the OP is more about developing social policies to address the growing obesity epidemic at a national level in Thailand and save lives. Leave "Lefty" out of it. The radical libertarian approach does none of that. It's just a pie in the sky purist ideology that simply doesn't work at moving towards goals for society as a whole. Say to everyone, deal with it yourselves, and they mostly don't, and these wacko libertarian radicals simply don't care. They ONLY care about themselves. What kind of SOCIETY is that exactly?

Sorry, okay, the thread is about yet another liberal policy that punishes the poor and benefits the rich under the guise of helping people. And the progressives here (you included) are quick to point out that if one does not agree, one does not care about others, which is a typical lef…errrr… progressive means avoiding having to formulate a response and stifling discussion.

People that care about themselves eat heathy yes? So a society consisting of everyone caring about themselves would be healthy, yes?

Rather than just attacking and calling me names, why not make an attempt to address what has been said?

Incidentally, I am far from being a Libertarian.

[Thai at Heart]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

There are plenty of apparently perfectly healthy people who can't pay for their treatments.

I like to think that as humans we have gone a little beyond the law of the prairie.

If they are perfectly healthy, why do they need treatments?

Law of the prairie?

In the US, if my kid goes to the orthodontist, I pay a $50 a visit + 20% of the bill.

A kid on Medical (welfare) pays nothing for the same service, in the same office, from the same dentist.

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

People have catastrophic events that befall them all the time. My cousin was perfectly healthy and woke up one day with a brain tumour at the age of 32. Struck down in his prime.

Still alive 10,years later and barely has any quality of life other than what his govnerment money provides to him. Without assistance he would not be alive today.

I have no problem with people paying or contributing to the payment if they can. The issue is more whether if they can't afford to pay whatsoever, what to do? Treat or not?

Rarely do people face catastrophic illness from dentistry.

So if your "cousin" did not get money from the government, apparently you and the rest of your family would let him starve, and you guys call conservatives heartless.

I had a catastrophic illness three years ago and spent north of US$40,000 out of pocket for medication. People on Medical (welfare) get the treatment free.

Why is my healthcare being ruined under the guise of helping people I already have to pay for?

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

We have all helped, but basically to care for him requires full time assistance. His father has passed away and his mother is sick. He receives what he does from the govermennt having paid in and rightly receives his due back. Without it,,everyone would have been bankrupted by now. The modifications alone for his accomodation cost a small fortune.

We as family have all left the uk and I have returned just recently. I fear there is no pure solution but there will always be apparent injustices in health care.

What goes on in the USA is in no way a perfect solution.

[David48]

Candy bars are already through the roof, price-wise.

Why so expensive?

Any particular 'Candy Bar' ... Cherry Ripes are a favourite of mine!

.

[David48]

Australia is quite obese as well ...

I'm quite trim actually.

Humsum as well ...

I'll buy you a San Migel Light next time I'm in Pattaya ...

What does your personal life have to do with this topic? This is about social policy for the nation of Thailand. Not your gossip / social games.

All this time, I was under the impression that JT, you were a caring, sharing sort of guy.

Have I been mistaken ...

That offer of a social beer is still there.

Can my TWINS call you Uncle Jing ... or would you prefer Khun Jing ?

Happy New Year Jingthing ... the Forum would be a lesser place without you ...

[mogandave]

Like someone suggested, let's tax those who are overweight or obese, for example, by increasing their social security contribution, proportionate to their excess weight.

And use the money for education.

Excellent suggestion. Why should I have to pay a tax because some fatties can't control themselves?

Actually, lefty won't let you do that, as obesity is a pre existing condition that must be covered.

Now if you let the market dictate who pays what, for whatever it is they want, all this nonsense goes away. But lefty can't stand that, as lefty needs as many people dependent on the government as possible.

The problem is obese people become a burden. Unless you think people get deliberately obese in order to have the government pay for their treatment???????????

They only become a burden if you pay for them.

There are plenty of apparently perfectly healthy people who can't pay for their treatments.

I like to think that as humans we have gone a little beyond the law of the prairie.

If they are perfectly healthy, why do they need treatments?

Law of the prairie?

In the US, if my kid goes to the orthodontist, I pay a $50 a visit + 20% of the bill.

A kid on Medical (welfare) pays nothing for the same service, in the same office, from the same dentist.

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

People have catastrophic events that befall them all the time. My cousin was perfectly healthy and woke up one day with a brain tumour at the age of 32. Struck down in his prime.

Still alive 10,years later and barely has any quality of life other than what his govnerment money provides to him. Without assistance he would not be alive today.

I have no problem with people paying or contributing to the payment if they can. The issue is more whether if they can't afford to pay whatsoever, what to do? Treat or not?

Rarely do people face catastrophic illness from dentistry.

So if your "cousin" did not get money from the government, apparently you and the rest of your family would let him starve, and you guys call conservatives heartless.

I had a catastrophic illness three years ago and spent north of US$40,000 out of pocket for medication. People on Medical (welfare) get the treatment free.

Why is my healthcare being ruined under the guise of helping people I already have to pay for?

Again, where are all the suffering people lefty keeps talking about?

We have all helped, but basically to care for him requires full time assistance. His father has passed away and his mother is sick. He receives what he does from the govermennt having paid in and rightly receives his due back. Without it,,everyone would have been bankrupted by now. The modifications alone for his accomodation cost a small fortune.

We as family have all left the uk and I have returned just recently. I fear there is no pure solution but there will always be apparent injustices in health care.

What goes on in the USA is in no way a perfect solution.

I never claimed it was, but it is my position that government interference has, and will continue to make it worse, not better.

The "rich" will always receive better quality care then the poor, and all the government is doing is making the spread wider. In the US, the poor will finally get the same care as the middle class. Unfortunately, the quality of care the middle class enjoys will be dragged down below what the poor are already getting for free, so ultimately, everyone suffers, except the rich of course, the rich will benefit.

[up-country_sinclair]

People that care about themselves eat heathy yes? So a society consisting of everyone caring about themselves would be healthy, yes?

Yes, and yes.

I try to take care of myself, but on occasion I will eat junk food. Why should I be subjected to a tax because fatties shovel it down their gullets all day every day?

People need to take some responsibility for their lives and the choices they make. You're obese because you eat too much. It's not my fault and it shouldn't be my problem. And I certainly I shouldn't have to pay more for something because you lack self respect and the smallest amount of willpower.

[mogandave]

People that care about themselves eat heathy yes? So a society consisting of everyone caring about themselves would be healthy, yes?

Yes, and yes.

I try to take care of myself, but on occasion I will eat junk food. Why should I be subjected to a tax because fatties shovel it down their gullets all day every day?

People need to take some responsibility for their lives and the choices they make. You're obese because you eat too much. It's not my fault and it shouldn't be my problem. And I certainly I shouldn't have to pay more for something because you lack self respect and the smallest amount of willpower.

Unfortunately, the progressives disagree, and they are currently in charge and will continue to be at least as long and they can keep the Santa Clause act up.

Happy New Year!

[samran]

The intention of the OP is more about developing social policies to address the growing obesity epidemic at a national level in Thailand and save lives. Leave "Lefty" out of it. The radical libertarian approach does none of that. It's just a pie in the sky purist ideology that simply doesn't work at moving towards goals for society as a whole. Say to everyone, deal with it yourselves, and they mostly don't, and these wacko libertarian radicals simply don't care. They ONLY care about themselves. What kind of SOCIETY is that exactly?

Sorry, okay, the thread is about yet another liberal policy that punishes the poor and benefits the rich under the guise of helping people. And the progressives here (you included) are quick to point out that if one does not agree, one does not care about others, which is a typical leferrrr progressive means avoiding having to formulate a response and stifling discussion.

People that care about themselves eat heathy yes? So a society consisting of everyone caring about themselves would be healthy, yes?

Rather than just attacking and calling me names, why not make an attempt to address what has been said?

Incidentally, I am far from being a Libertarian.

Quite one for the name calling aren't you? Lefty this, lefty that.

And you have the gumption to criticise others for name calling. Poor Diddums.

Quick to label others, but with an awfully thin skin. Fortunately, it's petty clear you are all tip and no iceberg. So debating you of this is going to be as painful as being flogged by wet lettuce.

Happy new year!

[Jingthing]

Australia is quite obese as well ...

I'm quite trim actually.

Humsum as well ...

I'll buy you a San Migel Light next time I'm in Pattaya ...

What does your personal life have to do with this topic? This is about social policy for the nation of Thailand. Not your gossip / social games.

All this time, I was under the impression that JT, you were a caring, sharing sort of guy.

Have I been mistaken ...

That offer of a social beer is still there.

Can my TWINS call you Uncle Jing ... or would you prefer Khun Jing ?

Happy New Year Jingthing ... the Forum would be a lesser place without you ...

Oy vey. Your campaign is over. Give it a rest, mate.

[mogandave]

The intention of the OP is more about developing social policies to address the growing obesity epidemic at a national level in Thailand and save lives. Leave "Lefty" out of it. The radical libertarian approach does none of that. It's just a pie in the sky purist ideology that simply doesn't work at moving towards goals for society as a whole. Say to everyone, deal with it yourselves, and they mostly don't, and these wacko libertarian radicals simply don't care. They ONLY care about themselves. What kind of SOCIETY is that exactly?

Sorry, okay, the thread is about yet another liberal policy that punishes the poor and benefits the rich under the guise of helping people. And the progressives here (you included) are quick to point out that if one does not agree, one does not care about others, which is a typical leferrrr progressive means avoiding having to formulate a response and stifling discussion.

People that care about themselves eat heathy yes? So a society consisting of everyone caring about themselves would be healthy, yes?

Rather than just attacking and calling me names, why not make an attempt to address what has been said?

Incidentally, I am far from being a Libertarian.

Quite one for the name calling aren't you? Lefty this, lefty that.

And you have the gumption to criticise others for name calling. Poor Diddums.

Quick to label others, but with an awfully thin skin. Fortunately, it's petty clear you are all tip and no iceberg. So debating you of this is going to be as painful as being flogged by wet lettuce.

Happy new year!

My position is that a hideously regressive tax is being proposed that punishes the poor and benefits the rich is being proposed.

Your response is to attack me. Typical.

It is set to be a great year. Go with God brother!

[Jingthing]

Such targeted taxes nudge people to healthier choices; hardly a punishment. Such taxes are ONLY on highly processed foods, not regular foods. Nobody NEEDS such so called foods. Such highly processed foods aren't even nutritious. They lead to expensive diseases which will cost both the state and the individual. Similar to high taxes on tobacco products which NOBODY should be using.

[mogandave]

Such targeted taxes nudge people to healthier choices; hardly a punishment. Such taxes are ONLY on highly processed foods, not regular foods. Nobody NEEDS such so called foods. Such highly processed foods aren't even nutritious. They lead to expensive diseases which will cost both the state and the individual. Similar to high taxes on tobacco products which NOBODY should be using.

Actually, it only "nudges" poor people, but you already know that.

Who are you to decide who needs what?

White flour?

Air travel?

Processed sugar?

Cable TV?

Apple juice?

Talk radio?

Beer?

Internet?

Liquor?

Cell phones?

Automobiles?

No one needs any of the above, and they have all been proven unhealthy at one time or another.

Here’s an idea, why not focus on enforcing what laws and regulations that are currently on the books before we enact a lot of new laws and regulations.

Using one hideously regressive tax (tobacco) as an excuse to impose a similar hideously regressive tax seems a little silly to me, although I don’t doubt you see the logic.

Where is your evidence that white rice is causing obesity in Thais anyway? Can you site a study of some kind or is it just another SWAG on your part?

Again, why not worry about your own health, and eat what you want and leave the rest of us alone?

[Jingthing]

Oh, please. We are talking about a specific class of very HARMFUL fake food, not that big list. Read the OP, OK?

I just love this "concern" for poor people about regressive taxes. I don't believe you. You don't have REAL concern. Real concern to help stop people in general from killing themselves and do you actually want to pay yourselves for their health care when they get obesity related diseases? I guess your lot is against high cigarette taxes too.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Jingthing

[up-country_sinclair]

Oh, please. We are talking about a specific class of very HARMFUL fake food, not that big list. Read the OP, OK?

I just love this "concern" for poor people about regressive taxes. I don't believe you. You don't have REAL concern. Real concern to help stop people in general from killing themselves and do you actually want to pay yourselves for their health care when they get obesity related diseases? I guess your lot is against high cigarette taxes too.

Physician, heal thyself.

[Jingthing]

Oh, please. We are talking about a specific class of very HARMFUL fake food, not that big list. Read the OP, OK?

I just love this "concern" for poor people about regressive taxes. I don't believe you. You don't have REAL concern. Real concern to help stop people in general from killing themselves and do you actually want to pay yourselves for their health care when they get obesity related diseases? I guess your lot is against high cigarette taxes too.

Physician, heal thyself.

Please do not alter the font or emphasis in quoted posts, OK?

I have corrected your violation on my text as above showing my actual post's intended emphasis.

I ain't a doc and it's naive to think that most of the masses are docs either.

Also as I indicated before, even highly educated American doctors make very poor choices as well for THEMSELVES.

This obesity pandemic isn't some kind of joke. It's killing millions of people annually. People expect governments to take action against things like bird flu. It's not that big a jump to expect them to do something about the obesity crisis as well.

I am not so naive as to think governments are capable of solving this perfectly. Some people are just suicidal or have biological and/or social conditions that predispose them to obesity. But governments CAN do something to improve the situation. At least in theory! Good governments test out different tactics and look at the results, and then make adjustments later based on the results. Unintended consequences are always a hazard of any policy but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to never administrate new policies either!

BTW, if it was up to me, I would criminalize tobacco and legalize marijuana!

Edited January 1, 2014 by Jingthing

[culicine]

My wife got some interesting info through her phone the other day - it was all about healthy and unhealthy foods - not to my surprise they generally rated western fast food as 'healthy', but Thai food as 'healthy'. Does xenophobia also spread too food choices? Plenty of men in Issan are dying at 40 or 50 and I'm sure they have never touched a MacDonalds! Healty goes way beyond food and exercise. Just look at the quality and quantity of spirits they drink.

But generally speaking, you will find more fat children in private schools than from government schools. Wealthier parents have more money, so they kids are fed more, and may have more western tastes too. I think Thais still cherish their chubby little Thai-Chinese kids! In contrast, some very poor families exist on rice and fish sauce. They are not fat but are certainly malnourished.