Will food become the next tobacco?
Will federal regulators, via the FDA or some newfangled regulatory instrument soon begin to regulate the content, distribution, and/or consumption of foodstuffs? The theory, best I can tell, is that the government loves you (yes, you!) and wants you to live a long, happy, and fulfilling life free of (or with less) fat, cholesterol, MSG, and artificial colors/flavors.
I'd heard at least three references to this over the last two weeks, and there were both an article in the WSJ and a spot on CNBC to this effect today. Government restrictions would conceivably work in one or a combination of the following ways: (a) via taxes on unhealthy foods or those exceeding a certain caloric/fat level; (b) limited distribution of those products to licensed/accredited vendors; (c) an age/ID requirement for the purchase of certain foods; or (d) an outright ban on certain extremely unhealthy products.
In any of those forms, it's an intolerable imposition on small, but essential, liberties; yet another manifestation of fearsome regulatory gradualism which, by not taking responsibility for our own actions and not being vigilant with our appointed representatives regarding even "simple" freedoms...we gladly slough off.
Personally, such bans or restrictions wouldn't affect me at all - my only vice is a cup of coffee in the morning. I run 2-4 miles every day, don't drink or smoke, and most importantly, I eat more healthily than anyone I know.
But I certainly wouldn't impose those regimens on anyone else. It's your right to eat what you want and as much of it as you want, when you want. And it's companies' right in a free market to produce those products, competing amongst themselves for either (a) nutritious content or, as the case may be (b) flavor. And, I don't think storeowners should be charged with the duty of, yet again, raising other people's kids. Good nutrition (like attitudes toward drug/alcohol/tobacco consumption) starts in the home.
Trivial? Not at all. In an era marked by whining and media-friendly socialism, it's exactly this kind of subtle regulatory landgrab that should enrage Americans.
Hey government - do you really want to encourage people to stay in shape? Eliminate the capital gains and/or income taxes. Many more Americans would join health clubs, sports clubs and spas, take up hobbies, go on vacations, or wouldn't have to work energy-sapping second jobs with a few extra bucks in the bank and their wallets.
LP. |
