Sunday, August 08, 2010

Gripes about the nanny state


I live just outside of the City of Portland for a reason: there are some things I do not like about it, Sam I Am.

I work there. I hang out there. But their local government, on occasion, makes about as much sense as Berkeley.

Now, some people presume that because I am progressive that I am a flaming lefty. Not so when it comes to many things - I believe very strongly in personal responsibility and the less the government interferes in my life, the better.

Mind you - and this is relevant - I am a healthy eater. I do not think anyone should be able to sell us shit filled with dangerous chemicals or cows that have eaten other cows, or anything else that is, well, unnatural.

However, I don't need my calories printed on my blackberry smoothie receipt, people.

Multnomah County, which includes Portland, is now requiring this kind of disclosure at the drive through. I got a smoothie on the way home the other day and just about passed out.

Not only was the calorie count there, the percentage of carbs/calories/etc based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day and a 2,500-calorie-a-day diet were also included.

New York City - where the mayor is such a health nut that he salts his pizza (Darth, you're right, where is a sarcasm font when I need it?) - enacted a similar law. Getting coffees at Starbucks on our vacation, we saw each pastry in the bakery case labeled with the amount of calories and grams of fat. Ugh.

Now I DO want access to this information as well as - and more importantly - the ingredients. But PLEASE! Do you need to print it right on my receipt? Post it right in the pastry case? Having a brochure available would be enough. I am an adult. I know a smoothie is not as healthy, as, say, a head of plain lettuce.

Is this for my own good? Maybe. But every now and again I enjoy a treat. I seriously doubt this is going to prevent obesity. If the government really cares about our health, I'd rather they find a way to keep soda machines out of schools and PE programs funded.

16 comments:

Robert Tres said...

I just received a letter in the mail stating that I am now required to tattoo my personal nutrition information on my torso. You know, for cannibals.

Fireblossom said...
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Fireblossom said...

I don't like health nazis.

Anonymous said...

Give me your address there.

Logical Libby said...

I think it kind of makes calorie splurging more fun. It's naughtier.

Oh, and these are the same people who have no problems with everyone owning guns.

Darth Weasel said...

Yes, Senor Tres, get it done swiftly, for there are twenty cannibals who cannot eat until you are legal.

Strange how we can get that sort of information...but not whether the sale on Rice Krispies will be good through next Tuesday...

Riot Kitty said...

RT: Well, you'd better comply ;)
FB: I want the expanded rant! Do want! Do want!!
DID:?
Libby: Feeling naughtier is always a good thing...although I am much more afraid of guns than french fries.
Darth: Good point! Or whether they have beef lard in them (they do.)

Anonymous said...

Well said!

Have a good campaigning day, Boonsong

Lynn said...

I agree - go for the cause and not the effect.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
G. B. Miller said...

Ooooooooooooooooooookay.

That is really truly a first.

I have no other way of responding to that......................although..........................my local paper choose to run on the front page above the fold.

Repeat, on the front page above the fold.

You know, the area where IMPORTANT NEWS GOES.

wait for it

wait for it

A story about calories contained in selected fast food hamburgers.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Canada.

Maude Lynn said...

What earthly good does it do to print the info on the receipt, anyway? I've already paid for it, I'm damn sure going to drink it!

Riot Kitty said...

B: Thanks!
L: That's a good way of putting it. Much more succinct than my rant here!
G: Oh for fuck's sake! That's news?
WIGSF: Seriously? Why haven't you emigrated?
MZ: Exactly!

Senorita said...

First of all, I always love your lolcats.

Second, I totally agree with you. No matter what our government says, we will always remain a nation of fat asses because people are too lazy to change. It's just the way it is.

Green Tea said...

I don't need calorie counts either, I know what I shouldn't eat.
It's all about portion control anyway.
Which reminds me a have a nut goodie bar in the freezer..:)