KC residents - How are you voting on the smoking ban in April?

[Adept Havelock]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Isn't that what you're advocating?

No, it's pretty clear you don't get it.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So tell me: If the FDA or any government agency is informed that a certain substance is a public health hazard (such as Transfat), shouldn't the government inform the people to whom is serves?

To inform them? Sure. People need good information so they can make an informed decision for themselves.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Additionally, once this information is made public and corporations refuse to change their practices, isn't it the government's duty to enact a law requiring those businesses to comply?

Not at all. A knowledgable public will be able to decide if they want to purchase a product made with trans-fats, or it's alternative. It's called "voting with dollars". If enough of the public decides they don't want trans-fats, the company will adapt or die.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Many food chains and food corporations (Kraft & Frito-Lay, for example) changed their recipes almost immediately after the Transfat issue was made public.

Yes, that's how we know "voting with dollars" works. The people that purchased those products pushed the business to adapt to their demands. Thanks for helping me make my case.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

After considerable time, many food chains hadn't make the change. The government allowed a reasonable amount of time for many of these change to be made, yet they weren't.

Sure. Their customers were voting with their dollars to continue using trans-fats, after the public became aware of the health issues. Or the FDA and the companies were not honest in stating they used trans-fats, but that's a different matter (legal requirements of reporting ingredients). Some would argue we would be better off replacing the FDA with a private organization, but that's a discussion for another day.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, as an issue of public safety, what should the government done to protect its citizens:

1. Not interfere. Allow people to continue to ingest food that would clog their arteries (and most people, unknowingly ingest such a product).
2. Require that all manufacturers and restaurants discontinue the use of Transfat oils in favor of non-Transfat oils?

I'd prefer Two. I personally don't have the time to find out if every restaurant or food that I ingest has Transfat.

I'd prefer One. I personally don't care to have laws passed and give the government expanded power just because a few people are too lazy to take responsibility for what they choose to eat.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Shouldn't I get SOMETHING for my tax dollars?

You do. In this instance, you get information about the effect of Trans-Fats on your health, and (if complying with the FDA) knowledge of what companies use them. You can use that to make an informed decision for yourself, as can everyone else.

I know it's tough to decide these things for yourself, but nothing worthwhile is easy.