I had this conversation with a person, and she seemed pretty doubtful of my idea. If this is any sign of how the general public thinks about the fast food industry, and of fast food in general, I feel REAL sorry for all of us in the near future.

Gotti for hire: know whats gonna be funny
Gotti for hire: and watch, it WILL happen
AudiXplosioN: what?
Gotti for hire: is that the same thing that happened to the tabacco companies, will happen to the fast food industry aswell
AudiXplosioN: which was?
Gotti for hire: make them stop the marketing schemes, make them help people eat right, change their menus
AudiXplosioN: yeah
AudiXplosioN: i uhhhh dont think so
Gotti for hire: itll eventually happen.
AudiXplosioN: possibly
AudiXplosioN: but anytime soon? no
Gotti for hire: well of course not anytime soon
Gotti for hire: nothing that big happens "soon"
Gotti for hire: I mean, the tabacco thing took what? like 15 years and counting to "turn around"
AudiXplosioN: well
AudiXplosioN: people are wayyyy to hook on it
Gotti for hire: like smoking?
AudiXplosioN: its decent/good food, very fast, and relatively cheap
Gotti for hire: the food is horrible.
AudiXplosioN: are u kidding? i love taco bell, in and out, all those places
AudiXplosioN: mmm arbys
Gotti for hire: half the meals on the mcdonalds menu are OVER the suggested sodium/fat intake RDL
Gotti for hire: thats just one meal
Gotti for hire: and know whats worse
Gotti for hire: the problem is that the bad food, is more readily availible, and cheaper, and more convienent than the "good" food
AudiXplosioN: god chris lol, not everyone is watchin their weight
AudiXplosioN: i dont eat it enough for it to be a problem
Gotti for hire: I never said they were, this is just tying into my point that it will be regulated someday in the near future
AudiXplosioN: doubtful
AudiXplosioN: its an empire
AudiXplosioN: fast food.
AudiXplosioN: look it up.
Gotti for hire: like tabacco? good call
Gotti for hire: lol
AudiXplosioN: i wouldnt compare the two
Gotti for hire: why not?
AudiXplosioN: because its fast food
AudiXplosioN: hey i gtg again
AudiXplosioN: c ya
Gotti for hire: lol.
Gotti for hire: later

Almost seems like a cop out of an argument, even as I type this, she is still online. What do you guys think? do you think they will ever regulate fast food, and is this subject matter comparable to tabacco? if so, then why? if not, then why?

I dont think Fast Food will ever be regulated. Its such common knowledge that fast food isnt good for you. I dont think it should be regulated either, to a certain degree. Im all for health inspections, quality of food should have a standard, and alike. But to remove items from the menu because of their nutritive and caloric value, I see that as eliminating my options as a consumer. If I want to eat a big mac, fries and a milkshake,.... who cares? Its my decision to make.
Tobacco......Im not sure if its comparable to tobacco.

Fast food already is regulated, there's this organization called "USDA" and it inspects all meat used in fast food. "Capitalism is the cornerstone of democracy" If some stupid ass wants to fill his fat face with McDee's et al then good, thin out the gene pool. It's called natural selection, the weak (willed?) Die of heart problems because they are fat while the strong go home and keep our species alive. 3 cheers for Darwin!

This is really interesting seeing as how on the news today it was announced that McDonalds will phase out their supersize items from all stores in the US. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4433307/

I have to admit if I was not changing my life right now, I would be pissed because those supersize fries are awesome :drool: .

The reason they give for the change is to simplify their menu, and the health factor is downplayed. The also make a point of saying that it has nothing to do with the documentary where the guy eats McDonalds for a month.

The article says that they are succumbing to America's trend toward healthier food right now. I'm not sure what kind of pressure McDonald's could feel from the public that would cause them to do this.

I'm amazed that they are doing it. They must be really worried about their image of making everyone fat.

In order for fast food to be on par with tobacco, there would have to be a specific chemical in the food that is known to be addictive. Otherwise I can't see regulation happening. Where would you draw the line. What would be considered fast food, Denny's? TGIF? Pizzaria Uno? Diner's? I mean diner's have wosre food than fast food sometime. What about pizza places, with cheese steaks and hoagies. All these places could be accused of making people fat.

We need healthier local restaurants, deli's that specialize in low fat meat and breads. Healthy on the go food would be good. Things are already changing, look at subway. I think competition will drive the selection of healthier food and restaurants that provide them.

Fast food already is regulated, there's this organization called "USDA" and it inspects all meat used in fast food. "Capitalism is the cornerstone of democracy" If some stupid ass wants to fill his fat face with McDee's et al then good, thin out the gene pool. It's called natural selection, the weak (willed?) Die of heart problems because they are fat while the strong go home and keep our species alive. 3 cheers for Darwin!

You should read 'Fast Food Nation'. A real eye opener concerning meat in America. So much for the regulation and safety of the USDA.

I would be careful going around calling people 'stupid asses'. A lot of people on these boards turning around their lives ate fast food too much perhaps, and may still have trouble avoiding it in their hectic, day to day lives. But I wouldn't call them a 'stupid ass' for it.

Being a teen (going by your name), you probably haven't held a full time job with financial and parental responsibilities. When the only time you have to eat is the five minutes between work and taking care of your kids, fast food is an awfully tempting solution.

Its weird how people think that these regulation agencies are actually here to protect us, the consumer.

You're right, I don't have kids (thank god!!) and I go to school from 8:30 A.m. Until 2:00 p.m., but my dad owns his own business (One of the top law companies in Albuquerque New Mexico) who works from 7:00 A.m. until 6-7 p.m. 6-7 days a week, has time in his busy schedule to take care of me and my sister, eat healthy foods, and stay in shape...(Hate to admit it, but he's in better shape than i am). Most (fat) Adults I know don't go to mcdonalds because they are too busy being supermom, they do it because they are too lazy to cook or whatever.

But you're right, maybe in 10-15 years when I do have a Joa Jr. I will take back my statements, but until then they hold true.

I wasn't talking about your family and your experience. What I was trying to say is others on the board might not like the implication they are 'stupid asses' or 'lazy' because they eat fast food.

Well they're going to have to face the music sooner or later.

What do you guys think? do you think they will ever regulate fast food, and is this subject matter comparable to tabacco? if so, then why? if not, then why? This goes back to the apparently anti-American notion of responsibility ('http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=responsibility'). Do you kids know what that word means? It seems like your parents don't, and most of America doesn't.

Nobody forced ciggies in your mouth and contracted your diaphram to make you inhale the evil vile tobacco, tar, and associated nastiness.

Nobody strapped you to a chair and force fed your McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and KFC.

These are choices we all made at one point. I'm willing to take children out of this because they can't provide for themselves -- they're limited by their parents. Once they move out they continue to make choices and should take responsibility for them.

"But whaaa, I grew up eating McDonald's and I can't change!" That frankly is BS. I grew up with Happy meals 5 times a week. Don't give me that garbage, if I can change anybody can. I'm not a unique or special snowflake.

If you don't like where your previous choices have led you, FIX IT YOURSELF. You don't need the government or any regulatory body to do it for you. Don't villianize the manufacturers, they're giving you exactly what you want.

Ray Croc (sp?) orginally sold tiny bags of french fries. He said "if people want more, they can buy two." Then some marketing genuis came along and screwed at least a few generations by making larger volumes cheaper...

I hate people who won't own up for their own actions. I believe they deserve a special place in Hell :mad:

If I've offended anybody, too bad. The poster asked for my opinion and this response was directed at nobody in particular. If you're here it's because you've realized that you need to change something. That's very good. Now follow through and get back to work. You'll reach your goals and you'll be quite happy you did!

Fast food already is regulated, there's this organization called "USDA" and it inspects all meat used in fast food. "Capitalism is the cornerstone of democracy" If some stupid ass wants to fill his fat face with McDee's et al then good, thin out the gene pool. It's called natural selection, the weak (willed?) Die of heart problems because they are fat while the strong go home and keep our species alive. 3 cheers for Darwin!

But think about this, think about how many of those fat faces make us pay higher medicare rates because they dont give two craps about their health? all because they couldent resist a couple cheeseburgers a day. The commercials, the locations, the prices...all ties into it.

I don't have medicare. I'm covered under my mom's health insurance. boo-yah you fools got nothin' on me.

But think about this, think about how many of those fat faces make us pay higher medicare rates because they dont give two craps about their health? all because they couldent resist a couple cheeseburgers a day. The commercials, the locations, the prices...all ties into it.

Im sure there are ALOT more people increasing the cost of medicare simply because they choose to treat themselves with the standard treatment, drugs, not because they are just fat. Technically, drugs are anything that claim to offer a health benefit ( http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws/fdcact/fdcact1.htm ), but I am referring to synthetic drugs. If people did not have health insurance(im sure some dont), they would empty your pockets pretty damn quick. If you know anyone with a chronic illness, they have probably had a few rounds of every drug in the PDR, because [synthetic]drugs have very little to offer for chronic illness. Ask them how much money the insurance companies have spent for their treatments.
I personally know someone who has a chronic illness(Im sure many of you do too). For about 25 years, this person has taken the drugs the doctor prescribed, and they have done absolutely NOTHING. Over the course of this persons treatment(about 25 years), insurance has covered about $500,000. That is why the cost of medicare and other medical insurance is going up, the doctors dont know enough about health. They just prescribe drugs, and if that doesnt work, on to the next Rx.
And the worst part is, alot of medical insurance will not even cover a trip to the nutritionist-But they will gladly pay $1000 for your Rx.

You should read 'Fast Food Nation'. A real eye opener concerning meat in America.

Bump, because I think everyone here (not just Americans) would benefit from reading this book, for those moments when you might be tempted by a burger or a bucket of nuggets :eat:

Bump, because I think everyone here (not just Americans) would benefit from reading this book, for those moments when you might be tempted by a burger or a bucket of nuggets :eat:

seconded. it's an excellent read and it honestly did put me off fast food two years ago. OK a salad at Wendy's, yeah, I'll eat that, big deal, but no more E. Coli/prion/fecal-burgers (and pretty much all the rest of it).

Fudgam makes a good point about how short-sighted the medical industry is here in the US. last year my insurer spent tens of thousands of dollars in drugs, physical therapy, and imaging to cure my aching back, and it turns out I just needed to get off my ass and exercise. My back has never felt better lately and I haven't taken any Rx of any kind in months. my take-away from that experience is that the burden is on the patient, in for-profit "managed" care, to find the right solution. Doctors in HMOs want you out of their offices in five minutes or less and if it takes a dozen types of Rx to do that, so much the better.

with medical insurers and providers there's never enough money or time for proactivity/preventive care, but there's always money to pay for eye-poppingly expensive treatments that may or may not work. I don't really get it, but then I'm not in the business. it's infuriating. I guess there's lots more profit in mistreating/misdiagnosing than in prevention.

Nobody forced ciggies in your mouth and contracted your diaphram to make you inhale the evil vile tobacco, tar, and associated nastiness.




Whoah. Wait a minute. In 2003, sure. But let's take a little history tour. First, tobacco was believed to be healthy. People were encouraged to smoke! My mother-in-law's doctor told her to smoke (1960s) to cure chronic throat infections. So she did. So did lots of people. By the time we knew just how bad smoking was for you, tobacco companies had been loading them with niccotine to cause addiction for years.

Many of the people suffering from smoking-related health problems started smoking when it was "healthy." In the 1970s, when corn syrup made its great debut, no one was picketing street corners with signs saying how bad this stuff might be for us. We know now.

Yes, we all need to take responsiblity for what we do today, and everyday. But don't castigate those who truly did not know better. They never had the information that we have now.

Personally, I think we need more government regulation in some areas. Like the labelling of trans-fats, for instance. It's absurd that companines can get away with not listing them. Food companies will never do these things of their own free will.