We can finally calm down about San Francisco effectively destroying childhoods by banning Happy Meals. The city’s major, being a reasonable man, has decided to veto the Healthy Meal Legislation because “parents, not politicians, should decide what their children eat.”
The original ban would’ve forced a checklist of nutritional requirements (PDF) on any meals which included a toy with purchase in an attempt to fight the child obesity epidemic, but San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom did not believe this was the way to go:
Despite its good intentions, I cannot support this unwise and unprecedented governmental intrusion into parental responsibilities and private choices.
That’s the good news for now. The bad news is that there could very well be an attempt to override Newsom’s veto of the ban. [CNN]
mk
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11:10 PMDestroying childhoods? Oh come on! You’re saying all kids who don’t get their dose of Happy Meals are somehow fundamentally unhappy – pretty ludicrous.
When parents _can’t_ make good decisions, it’s good somebody steps in before their kids become obese (also).
BabyMia
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 1:28 AMAre you kidding me?? It was a very good proposal! I am a mother of a 2 year old and even when i know is bad i end up very rarely buying some of this food. I think this could push the people to look for diferent options. Our kids are eating every day worst and if we can help to delay this, why not??
BabyMia
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 1:31 AMHow much THEY pay to have their way!!!!
Jakobi
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 9:49 AM“The bad news is that there could very well be an attempt to override Newsom’s veto of the ban.”
I don’t really think it’s up to you, as a journalist, to decide whether it’s good or bad.
Or, to assume that your readership agrees with you.
To be honest, I’m torn. Childhood obesity is out of control, and I think they really should do away with Happy Meals. The way McDonalds markets to kids is as insidious as Joe Camel.
However, I’m not sure it is up to the government to legislate on such an issue; McDonalds should ban these themselves.
matt
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 10:56 AM“parents, not politicians, should decide what their children…”
thank you. lazy/inept parents: harden the **** UP!
if you can’t handle kids, don’t have them. the Gov is NOT your permanent baby sitter!
A happy meal once, or even twice a week, as a treat, is not doing your child any real harm. certainly no where near the amount of harm parents do when they fail to control their kids.
McDonnalds has actually done quite well with their health kick. short of changing into a completely different restaurant, I don’t know what more you’d want from them. they offer healthy happy meal alternatives, they print nutritional info on all their stuff, they have – in my opinion – ruined the taste of most their stuff in order to be more healthy.
Josh
Monday, November 15, 2010 at 12:03 PMDidnt realise that San Francisco is actually an army platoon.