Sugary Drinks Banned in San Francisco

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So what is it's not the government's place to do that.

Sure it is. That is what is known as regulation - and it is as old as the hills.

Why would schools need $XXX sports equipment in exchange for chocolate wrappers and dodgy commercial ventures?

Because schools are underfunded?

Because it's a marketing ploy?

[slim 1,533]

Slim, you are nuts - this is not an ideological decision. No one buying soy milk in the vending machine on gov property is going to decide to vote democrat because of it - and this isn't the thin edge of some manic governmental drive to make citizens healthy by force but hey, you go ahead and believe that, clearly it is your choice to do so and despite any evidence to support your mad point of view, you're quite desperate to believe it. Well, have at it.

It's only my choice for now. If enough of you choose to waive your right to choose, I will no longer have a choice either. Thanks a lot.

[Peikko 1,575]

It's only my choice for now. If enough of you choose to waive your right to choose, I will no longer have a choice either. Thanks a lot.

Yeah, the Obama brown shirts are going to insist you spend the first 30 minutes of your day taking PT, all sugar is going to be banned, salt will be removed from supermarket shelves, fast food places are going to be nuked, televisions will be forcibly removed from houses and sitting on the settee for longer than 30 minutes at a time will become a criminal offense punishable by 30 days on the tread mills which are going to be introduced to replace coal fired power stations. All cars are going to be confiscated and you will be given a bike instead, meat eating is going to be made illegal and finally, illegal aliens are going to be put in greyhound buses armed with six packs of coca cola (HFC laden) and Twinkies where they will eat and drink them as they are slowly driven around city neighbourhoods in order to infuriate GOP voters. Good times, good times

Edited July 10, 2010 by Madame Cleo

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Once again, if noone is prepared to put some thought into how and why certain products make it into vending machines you are making a false assumption about the nature of "choice".

[Peikko 1,575]

Once again, if noone is prepared to put some thought into how and why certain products make it into vending machines you are making a false assumption about the nature of "choice".

Wnen someone hates 'government' period they are going to draw all kinds of stupid conclusions about how 'freedom of choice' is being lost by simple changes in vending maching stocking policies. Utter madness, but quite amusing

[slim 1,533]

Sure it is. That is what is known as regulation - and it is as old as the hills.

So since it's old, it's OK? Regulation doesn't mean it's right or even legal. Many of our regulations are in place to do nothing more than make people money.

Because schools are underfunded?

Because it's a marketing ploy?

Why would schools be underfunded? Why would government agencies (such as schools and/or local governments) need funding from private businesses?

Yeah, the Obama brown shirts are going to insist you spend the first 30 minutes of your day taking PT, all sugar is going to be banned, salt will be removed from supermarket shelves, fast food places are going to be nuked, televisions will be forcibly removed from houses and sitting on the settee for longer than 30 minutes at a time will become a criminal offense punishable by 30 days on the tread mills which are going to be introduced to replace coal fired power stations. All cars are going to be confiscated and you will be given a bike instead, meat eating is going to be made illegal and finally, illegal aliens are going to be put in greyhound buses armed with six packs of coca cola (HFC laden) and Twinkies where they will eat and drink them as they are slowly driven around city neighbourhoods in order to infuriate GOP voters. Good times, good times

All that except illegals infuriating GOP. They'll be driven to the polls instead. Why else would they get amnesty?

And if you think all that stuff is far-fetched, why are there men in Guantanamo right now being held without charges?

Once again, if noone is prepared to put some thought into how and why certain products make it into vending machines you are making a false assumption about the nature of "choice".

The choice is not about what's in the vending machine. The choice is about WHO chooses what's in the vending machine.

[Peikko 1,575]

So since it's old, it's OK? Regulation doesn't mean it's right or even legal. Many of our regulations are in place to do nothing more than make people money.

Why would schools be underfunded? Why would government agencies (such as schools and/or local governments) need funding from private businesses?

All that except illegals infuriating GOP. They'll be driven to the polls instead. Why else would they get amnesty?

And if you think all that stuff is far-fetched, why are there men in Guantanamo right now being held without charges?

The choice is not about what's in the vending machine. The choice is about WHO chooses what's in the vending machine.

This is only funny because you are deadly serious - what a hoot.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So since it's old, it's OK? Regulation doesn't mean it's right or even legal. Many of our regulations are in place to do nothing more than make people money.

Accept the world as it is. The sky isn't going to fall because of changes to vending machine products.

Why would schools be underfunded? Why would government agencies (such as schools and/or local governments) need funding from private businesses?

Why would teachers spend their own money on school supplies?

Why would candy companies want to associate themselves with schools? Are they interested in the welfare of the kids or do they just want to sell chocolate?

Is it possible to promote "health and well-being" when kids are being encouraged to eat lots of chocolate under the dubious premise that it will benefit their school?

The choice is not about what's in the vending machine. The choice is about WHO chooses what's in the vending machine.

Why is that relevant?

[slim 1,533]

This is only funny because you are deadly serious - what a hoot.

Bask in the ignorance. I hope it never catches up to you. I pray that we're never forced to endure the hardships our forbears were when they were forced to deal with their government, and moreover, their ignorant countrymen.

For all of our sake, bask. Enjoy your healthy drinks and be merry.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I pray that we're never forced to endure the hardships our forbears were when they were forced to deal with their government, and moreover, their ignorant countrymen.

My poor forebears, denied access to Coke and Funyuns.

[slim 1,533]

Accept the world as it is. The sky isn't going to fall because of changes to vending machine products.

Nope. However, if we allow the government to choose when the sky can fall, we're setting ourselves up to be fallen on.

Why would teachers spend their own money on school supplies?

Why would candy companies want to associate themselves with schools? Are they interested in the welfare of the kids or do they just want to sell chocolate?

Is it possible to promote "health and well-being" when kids are being encouraged to eat lots of chocolate under the dubious premise that it will benefit their school?

I would venture to guess all of those things came about because parents and citizens of a local community either lost interest in the well-being of their children or intentionally disregared the means to do so. (IE - they don't pay property taxes because they're unable to do so.) In either case, the schools had to seek alternate funding.

Perhaps maybe parental involvement (or lack thereof) has more to do with kids and school than what's on their menu?

Why is that relevant?

Because "choice" should never be made by the government. Choice should be made by the people.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Nope. However, if we allow the government to choose when the sky can fall, we're setting ourselves up to be fallen on.

That's just ideological rhetoric

I would venture to guess all of those things came about because parents and citizens of a local community either lost interest in the well-being of their children or intentionally disregared the means to do so. (IE - they don't pay property taxes because they're unable to do so.) In either case, the schools had to seek alternate funding.

Perhaps maybe parental involvement (or lack thereof) has more to do with kids and school than what's on their menu?

Or perhaps because education budgets are insufficient to service the school's needs.

Because "choice" should never be made by the government. Choice should be made by the people.

More ideological rhetoric

If the soda companies dictate what goes into vending machines, "the people" aren't making the choice either, are they...

Nor is what the soda companies put into those machines any concrete indication of what "the people" would prefer to drink.

[slim 1,533]

That's just ideological rhetoric

Or facts, your call.

Or perhaps because education budgets are insufficient to service the school's needs.

Why would budgets be insufficient if parents were genuinely taking an interest in their kids' education? Perhaps maybe the same parents who allow budgets to be cut and won't pass levies, etc., are the same parents who will allow the government to choose what their kids eat.

Parents can still pack lunches for their kids yet you don't hear an outcry to ban certain foods in private lunches. Why is that? Could it be that those already sucking on the government's teat "need" to be coerced into making good decisions?

Is it too much of a stretch to imagine a government who is "compelled" to make decisions for "some" of it's citizens feeling it necessary to make choices for all?

More ideological rhetoric

If the soda companies dictate what goes into vending machines, "the people" aren't making the choice either, are they...

Nor is what the soda companies put into those machines any concrete indication of what "the people" would prefer to drink.

Soda machines in public buildings are typically controlled by contract with private business. I doubt the city council is going through contract changes or waiting until the current contract expires, I bet they're trying to manipulate the private business through council decree.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Or facts, your call.

It is most definitely ideology.

Why would budgets be insufficient if parents were genuinely taking an interest in their kids' education? Perhaps maybe the same parents who allow budgets to be cut and won't pass levies, etc., are the same parents who will allow the government to choose what their kids eat.

Parents can still pack lunches for their kids yet you don't hear an outcry to ban certain foods in private lunches. Why is that? Could it be that those already sucking on the government's teat "need" to be coerced into making good decisions?

Is it too much of a stretch to imagine a government who is "compelled" to make decisions for "some" of it's citizens feeling it necessary to make choices for all?

Erm... because parents don't set education budgets?

And yes - there are already several public schools which have reformed their cafeteria food options to limit processed foods and provide fresh options. As I said earlier it's the larger issue here.

[slim 1,533]

It is most definitely ideology.

So what's actually happening right now can't be based on ideology? For some reason ideology automatically stops it from being reality?

Erm... because parents don't set education budgets?

And yes - there are already several public schools which have reformed their cafeteria food options to limit processed foods and provide fresh options. As I said earlier it's the larger issue here.

Or because parents don't care enough about their kids (or their government) to do something about it and actively participate in the health and welfare of their own children. Like most other things in their lives, they're waving their God-given rights to do so and allowing the government to do it for them.

Pop machines may be an ideological start... but it is the start down the long road of this process. School lunches are along the same lines. The government can't control what the "rich kids" eat. However, if enough of the rich kids' parents don't stop the school from limiting choices, they're going to find their kids restricted one day as well. "No Skyler, you can't take a pudding pac anymore because the poor kids aren't allowed to eat them so neither are you."