Fat versus smoke

[tikiyaki]

Re: Fat versus smoke

I'm not judging fat people, but they do most certainly affect my quality of life when I'm forced to occupy space near them in public places.

Just the other day, I'm riding The Bus, and this extremely overweight man decided that he just had to stand in the aisle next to my seat. Which meant my face was conveniently located right next to his ass.

I tried to lean back, but I couldn't get away. I tried to lean forward, but the bus would lurch and I almost got ass-slapped a few times. I had to settle for putting my arm up and elbowing the bag he was carrying to leverage his ass out of my face.

Not to mention, there were both open seats AND wide open stretches of bus aisle. He didn't have to park himself next to me. Instead of worrying about second-hand smoke, I had to worry about ass fumes -- a most definite health risk.

LOL ! ass fumes.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Fat versus smoke

Hmmm...and we could add a "man" tax, too...after all, most violent crimes, murders, molestations, car jackings, drug dealing, auto thefts, domestic violence, drunk drivers, etc. are committed by men. They fill up the vast majority of prisons, so they should have higher taxes, too.

You've completely missed my point. Read my first sentence again. If the complaint that the "effect on others" is just insurance premiums, then there are ways of shifting that burden so that it's fairly shared.

As for the problem with men, who do you think raised them?

[Bard]

Re: Fat versus smoke

It might be in the case of kim chee...

Hah! I was gonna say, too, it depends on how badly you want some of what that other person is eating. Second hand donut eating for example can be pretty deadly for your weight

I've been working for about a year and a half or so (biking to work and back about half the time, reducing fat and refined sugar, etc) and lost about 20 pounds so far (6', a little under 210lbs now). I've made few dietary sacrifices, t's made me feel so much better and while I've yo-yo'd too, I've gone down more than up. I figure I have another 20-30 to go. I feel bad for people who honestly can't lose it (I know they're out there). It's like a full time hobby to try to properly manage your calories and exercise. Death by abundance...

What killed my solid downward trend was visiting Hawai`i actually... :P So much good food to try.

[808shooter]

Re: Fat versus smoke

How about a Fat Tax to go along with the Sin Tax that covers cigs?

If you buy unhealthy food, we slap a tax on you that goes towards healthcare coverage.

Yes what a brilliant idea!

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Fat versus smoke

If you buy unhealthy food, we slap a tax on you that goes towards healthcare coverage.

Ah, but what is unhealthy food? Some things seem to flip-flop. First eggs were bad, now they're good. Hard to keep up.

[Miulang]

Re: Fat versus smoke

How about a Fat Tax to go along with the Sin Tax that covers cigs?

If you buy unhealthy food, we slap a tax on you that goes towards healthcare coverage.

Yes what a brilliant idea!

This already kind of exists in some states. For example, food that is not already processed (like raw vegetables, uncooked meat, milk, eggs, etc.) is not taxed, but deli food and soda and candy bars (basically anything processed) is taxed along with nonedible things like soap and toilet paper; prescription medications are not taxable but over the counter medicines bought at a drug store are taxable.

Miulang

[808shooter]

Re: Fat versus smoke

Ah, but what is unhealthy food? Some things seem to flip-flop. First eggs were bad, now they're good. Hard to keep up.

I propose creating a new Hawaii State Department of Food Assessment. It will be responsible for measuring how unhealthy a food item is and assess the appropriate tax.

[GeckoGeek]

Re: Fat versus smoke

I propose creating a new Hawaii State Department of Food Assessment. It will be responsible for measuring how unhealthy a food item is and assess the appropriate tax.

And watch all the special interest groups battle it out? That could be kinda entertaining.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Re: Fat versus smoke

let's go all the way:

-in our public schools, everyone, both student and staff, should weigh in, and get alloted their school lunch according to Weight Watcher guidelines.

-its time to sue the high fructose corn syrup mafia and the enriched flour cartel.

-outlaw meats; too many cows on the planet as it is, wreckin' the environment. Let's make them, piggies, and goats all endangered species by underbreeding the suckers. Plus, the ocean will thank us, by letting the fishes grow back.

-and put tobacco on decriminalization status; no more Philip Morrises of the world. Private citizens are allowed to grow only three tobacco plants at a time, with their medical card...oh wait, my bad, I meant their religious card. Tobacco goes back into its native American sacrament status. So to get that religious card, you have to show on your tax returns that you contribute to the Native American Indian Churches (casinos).

[sinjin]

Re: Fat versus smoke

Mark my words. Someday airlines will charge passengers by the pound. Maybe some taxes and insurance premiums could be similarly calculated.

[Miulang]

Re: Fat versus smoke

Mark my words. Someday airlines will charge passengers by the pound. Maybe some taxes and insurance premiums could be similarly calculated.

SWA already refuses to board avoirdupois-ly challenged people unless they want to spring for the price of a second seat. Their reasoning is that other people don't like having people "dripping over" in their seats into their neighbors' personal space.

Miulang

[808shooter]

Re: Fat versus smoke

Mark my words. Someday airlines will charge passengers by the pound. Maybe some taxes and insurance premiums could be similarly calculated.

actually I really think that one day in the not so distant future, folks predisposed to specific medical conditions will be charged an insurance premium based on their genetic profile.

I'm not so worried as I hope individual genetic mapping is affordable at the retail level in my lifetime.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresource...legislat.shtml

[808shooter]

Re: Fat versus smoke

SWA already refuses to board avoirdupois-ly challenged people unless they want to spring for the price of a second seat. Their reasoning is that other people don't like having people "dripping over" in their seats into their neighbors' personal space.

and you know what? I kinda feel bad for those folks that are totally overweight. They should get a discounted rate to first class because as uncomfortable as it is to sit next to them, it's gotta be worse for them.

[AlohaKine]

Re: Fat versus smoke

Obesity / morbid obesity will take 20 yrs of your life on average. Smoking is now 3 or 4 yrs. Cigs are safer now these days ( filters, chemistry changes, ect. ) and people smoke less than 30 years ago.

Better a smoker than a fatty.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Re: Fat versus smoke

and you know what? I kinda feel bad for those folks that are totally overweight. They should get a discounted rate to first class because as uncomfortable as it is to sit next to them, it's gotta be worse for them.

In my profession I see many morbidly obese patients. In addition, I have personally known quite a few people who have had gastric bypass surgery. What so many often forget is that there are real people, genuine souls, within those huge bodies.

As challenging as it is to take care of these people I cannot help but feel compassion for them. Whatever brought them to this point is irrelevant. Morbid obesity often brings terrible loneliness and isolation to its sufferers. I doubt very much that any of them would wish the terrible circumstances of their lives on their worst enemies.

That was a nice bit of compassion on your part, Shooter.

Happy Holidays....