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[lil smoke]

it amazes me how quickly so many of you want to invite someone in to tell you what to eat, and how much. personal responsibility, guys. i mean, is it so hard to get a little exercise and moderate yourself? really?

It really is an insult though. There is enough info out there to educate yourself. Why do we care so much about people who don't care?

 

[Hitokage]

I'd be more enthusiastic about the power of individual consumer choice if much of it weren't illusory. Organization is the only way to ever get something important done in a market.

 

[beelzebozo]

I'd be more enthusiastic about the power of individual consumer choice if much of it weren't illusory. Organization is the only way to ever get something important done in a market, and the deck is already stacked there.

do you dispute the idea that there are people living in that system who make a healthy diet work, limiting sodium intake, fat intake, etc.?

 

[avatar299]

See, what you're missing here is that absent this legislation, the manufacturer and restaurants (and their providers) make the choices for you. Once your pasta dish is at the table, you have no choice to remove the salt that was in the prepacked sauce from Sysco (as an example).

You can always add more salt, but you can't remove salt.

But you went to the restaurant and bought the dish, knowing full well there is salt in there.

if you don't want to eat salt, stay at home. If you want to eat healthy food, stay at home. Past generations have done this. Why is this now impossible?

 

[iapetus]

I don't live in New York, but I imagine this will be like the trans fat shit. Once the nanny's figure out they can dictate more of our lives they will jump at the chance nationwide.

Not a problem. I'm sure there are plenty of other countries where there isn't legislation against salt. Move to one of them.

 

[Ulairi]

I'd be more enthusiastic about the power of individual consumer choice if much of it weren't illusory. Organization is the only way to ever get something important done in a market.

So we need the government to force the choice on the invididual, when the government is not required to face market demands?

How is that good, again?

 

[eznark]

Not a problem. I'm sure there are plenty of other countries where there isn't legislation against salt. Move to one of them.

I don't have to. For now I still have the option to speak out.

 

[Branduil]

it amazes me how quickly so many of you want to invite someone in to tell you what to eat, and how much. personal responsibility, guys. i mean, is it so hard to get a little exercise and moderate yourself? really?

Yes. We must all thank Master Bloomberg and his courageous efforts to protect us from ourselves. Soon we won't even have to think about anything we do any more. All hail Master Bloomberg!

 

[Deleted member 20415]

I don't have to. For now I still have the option to speak out.

First they came for the salt eaters...

 

[Gaborn]

Are you even aware of the effects of high levels of sodium intake on health?

Anybody who has paid ANY attention to ANY health news that high sodium intake is horrible for you. If you haven't then you don't care anyway. Most people that go to McDonalds or similar restaurants know it isn't exactly health food. Hell, the same is true of almost any food with butter, fat, salt, etc that IS a significant portion of most menus at any restaurant fast food or not.

 

[eznark]

First they came for the salt eaters...

Sadly I won't even get to go to the gulags, I eat too well. I'm going to keep one of those chocolate salted nut bars on my person at all times. Those things seem to represent everything that the food Nazi's loathe.

 

[ViperVisor]

Fast food idiot employees often just dump salt on the frys.

 

[Hitokage]

So we need the government to force the choice on the individual, when the government is not required to face market demands?

Forced to... choose to add salt or not?

 

[Branduil]

I think we should ban meat in burgers and then tell people we're not really banning meat in burgers because they can always add meat on their own.

 

[Lateraleye]

New York City

"We don't need the government to take care of us,"

wut

 

[iapetus]

I don't have to. For now I still have the option to speak out.

:rolleyes

If you don't like the way the electoral market has taken the country you live in, go live in a different country which is closer to your ideal, and eventually the country you left will have to recognise the popularity of your favourite policies and enact them. It's your response to people wanting healthier levels of salt in their diet, after all - why doesn't it work on a larger scale?

 

[Gaborn]

:rolleyes

If you don't like the way the electoral market has taken the country you live in, go live in a different country which is closer to your ideal, and eventually the country you left will have to recognise the popularity of your favourite policies and enact them. It's your response to people wanting healthier levels of salt in their diet, after all - why doesn't it work on a larger scale?

Actually a better response for both sides is to start restaurants that cater to what YOU think people want, and to frequent those restaurants. There's NO reason to impose ridiculous legislation that takes away THAT choice. I'm sure you can find a restaurant that would be TOTALLY unaffected by Fuhrer Bloomberg's ideas.

 

[eznark]

:rolleyes

If you don't like the way the electoral market has taken the country you live in, go live in a different country which is closer to your ideal, and eventually the country you left will have to recognise the popularity of your favourite policies and enact them. It's your response to people wanting healthier levels of salt in their diet, after all - why doesn't it work on a larger scale?

This isn't people wanting healthier levels of salt. It's the government wanting to take away the option of unhealthy levels of salt. Just about anything is unhealthy if consumed at high enough levels.

This stepping stone approach is simply annoying. Just come out with the government approved list of consumables and skip all the build up.

 

[Dyno]

It's really true that New York is getting pussified.

Smoking bans, food bans, dancing bans. It's gonna get pretty dull if this continues.

 

[Ulairi]

Forced to... choose to add salt or not?

If I'm told I ahve to cut my salt on my food by 50%, that is a choice made by the government. If I think my food taste better with more salt, and my customers do not seem to mind, why should the government get involved?

This is why I'm against universal healthcare, it will just open the door more to this.

 

[iapetus]

Actually a better response for both sides is to start restaurants that cater to what YOU think people want, and to frequent those restaurants.

I agree in principle. I'd also prefer to see mandatory disclosure of salt content through a simple traffic light style system (or similar) rather than setting limits on it. If he's going to take a laughably extreme stance, I'm going to match it, though.

My position on this issue has been modified by this thread, somewhat. I do believe in the right of the individual to eat a Bacon Belly Bomb.

 

[eznark]

I agree in principle. I'd also prefer to see mandatory disclosure of salt content through a simple traffic light style system (or similar) rather than setting limits on it. If he's going to take a laughably extreme stance, I'm going to match it, though.

My position on this issue has been modified by this thread, somewhat. I do believe in the right of the individual to eat a Bacon Belly Bomb.

If it comes down to it, that will be my flag. A beautiful, woven cloak of bacon.

 

[lil smoke]

I agree in principle. I'd also prefer to see mandatory disclosure of salt content through a simple traffic light style system (or similar) rather than setting limits on it. If he's going to take a laughably extreme stance, I'm going to match it, though.

My position on this issue has been modified by this thread, somewhat. I do believe in the right of the individual to eat a Bacon Belly Bomb.

Aw you can't have it both ways. You're either with or against us !!

 

[Gaborn]

I agree in principle. I'd also prefer to see mandatory disclosure of salt content through a simple traffic light style system (or similar) rather than setting limits on it. If he's going to take a laughably extreme stance, I'm going to match it, though.

My position on this issue has been modified by this thread, somewhat. I do believe in the right of the individual to eat a Bacon Belly Bomb.

See, though, that's my problem. You believe in people eating things you would enjoy, but you also believe in the basic right of government to restrict the rights of consumers and businesses to engage in a voluntary transaction that may not meet some nanny state politician's own standards.

 

[DanteFox]

Now that's an a salt I can get behind.

there we go.

 

[RiskyChris]

See, though, that's my problem. You believe in people eating things you would enjoy, but you also believe in the basic right of government to restrict the rights of consumers and businesses to engage in a voluntary transaction that may not meet some nanny state politician's own standards.

I don't think consumers are smart enough to make those choices themselves. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I support government initiatives to make our country healthier.

I ate a McGangBang last night... =(

 

[Gaborn]

I don't think consumers are smart enough to make those choices themselves. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I support government initiatives to make our country healthier.

I ate a McGangBang last night... =(

It really is sad how many people believe that gives the government the right to intervene, because they have a contempt for people making choices they personally wouldn't.

 

[eznark]

I don't think consumers are smart enough to make those choices themselves. I'm not sure what the solution is, but I support government initiatives to make our country healthier.

I ate a McGangBang last night... =(

For those who think it's the government role to enact initiatives towards a healthier society, why do you support banning "bad" things. Eventually they're gonna ban something you like (like booze) and you'll be pissed.

If you really think government intervention is needed, why not support incentivizing good choices instead of punishing "bad" choices?

 

[Beer Monkey]

Does foreign processed food have as much salt as ours?

I'm sure sick of paying to buy chicken breasts that cost twice as much if they aren't brined.

 

[karasu]

Good. Some of the shit they put in food is criminal. This kind of thing will lead us to Utopia. Because the bottom line is that people are either too busy, apathetic, or uninformed, to do it for themselves.

 

[eznark]

Good. Some of the shit they put in food is criminal. This kind of thing will lead us to Utopia. Because the bottom line is that people are either too busy, apathetic, or uninformed, to do it for themselves.

It's a Brave New World, baby!

What else won't you allow in your Utopia?

 

[avatar299]

For those who think it's the government role to enact initiatives towards a healthier society, why do you support banning "bad" things. Eventually they're gonna ban something you like (like booze) and you'll be pissed.

If you really think government intervention is needed, why not support incentivizing good choices instead of punishing "bad" choices?

I wonder how many people supporting this were cry about marijuana.

Good. Some of the shit they put in food is criminal. This kind of thing will lead us to Utopia. Because the bottom line is that people are either too busy, apathetic, or uninformed, to do it for themselves.

salt is criminal:lol , you heard it here first.

 

[HamPster PamPster]

Why ban when you can tax?

 

[RiskyChris]

For those who think it's the government role to enact initiatives towards a healthier society, why do you support banning "bad" things. Eventually they're gonna ban something you like (like booze) and you'll be pissed.

If you really think government intervention is needed, why not support incentivizing good choices instead of punishing "bad" choices?

I'm not down for banning substances, but putting guidelines and always giving the ability to "do it on your own" would be great...

It really is sad how many people believe that gives the government the right to intervene, because they have a contempt for people making choices they personally wouldn't.

I don't have contempt for people, but I do have contempt for manipulative businesses that are deliberately profiting off the ignorance/indifference of the masses.

 

[Giganticus]

i like the people in this thread going "you know full well it's got salt in it!" when most of the time, you uh, don't. people don't expect salads and sauces to contain the ridiculous levels of salt that they do, and even if you think a meal has salt in it, it might have levels far far higher than reasonable. this is where regulation and information comes in.

of course people have the freedom to choose what they eat, but if they aren't informed to begin with, do they have a free choice at all?

 

[Flo_Evans]

Salt? Really? :lol

 

[tekumseh]

But if lack of salt won't keep a meaningful number of people away either, the end result surely won't be a bad thing? You're just objecting to the means of reaching that end result.

Eznark is in full boiling frog mode when it comes to his salt and, apparently, won't be satisfied until his pickling via Cheez-Its and restaurant dining is complete....:lol

 

[Gaborn]

I don't have contempt for people, but I do have contempt for manipulative businesses that are deliberately profiting off the ignorance/indifference of the masses.

Oh come on. "I don't have contempt for people, just that they're not making choices I like." If they don't care what they're eating why should the government?

 

[beelzebozo]

hey, i hear beer is bad for you. ban that shit.

 

[karasu]

Salt? Really? :lol

Don't see what's so funny about it. Stroke, heart disease and all of that shit are some of the major killers in the world today. Excessive salt in our foods can play a part. It's like Giganticus said, people don't expect there to be insane levels of salt in these tiny servings of salad dressing, soups, etc. A lot of these companies are adding excessive levels of salt only because it increases the shelf life of their product, and the only one who gets fucked by this is the little guy.

 

[pelicansurf]

I don't see how this is a big deal. Removing 50% of salt over TEN YEARS will be:

a. unnoticeable
b. MAKES YOU HEALTHIER.

what the fuck's the fuss.

 

[Ace 8095]

What if salt really is not that bad for you? What if saturated fats really don't lead to heart disease? What if a few powerful people made decisions based on bad science that lead to a rise in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer? This article written over ten years ago, examining almost every major study on sodium at the time, seems even more relevant today. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/281/5379/898?ijkey=ATm56Jl8nBVYU

 

[lil smoke]

Don't see what's so funny about it. Stroke, heart disease and all of that shit are some of the major killers in the world today. Excessive salt in our foods can play a part. It's like Giganticus said, people don't expect there to be insane levels of salt in these tiny servings of salad dressing, soups, etc. A lot of these companies are adding excessive levels of salt only because it increases the shelf life of their product, and the only one who gets fucked by this is the little guy.

I think at this point in 2009, people SHOULD know by now that there may be unexpected things in food. People should know by now that just because something doesn't taste sweet doesn't mean there isn't sugar in it. Its funny that people can remember quotes from movies from 1950 and can beat video games in 5 minutes but don't fuckin know what they put in their body.

.. oh but wait, this is the country where people didn't even get the hint that their TVs wouldn't work. Sorry I keep forgetting how dumb people can be. Yeah lets dumb life down. Its the only way.

 

[Lich_King]

The salt is teh evil!

I hope Stallone saves us all again.

 

[beelzebozo]

I don't see how this is a big deal. Removing 50% of salt over TEN YEARS will be:

a. unnoticeable
b. MAKES YOU HEALTHIER.

what the fuck's the fuss.

slippery slope. there's a bill they're trying to pass in kentucky right now to allow the state to randomly drug test high school teachers. whether or not they should, i don't know, but when my grandmother says to me, "if they object, that means they have something to hide," i think there's something squirrely about that logic--then you can start applying that in broad strokes to everybody, like, why shouldn't the police be able to pull over anyone and search them? what do they have to hide?

regulation on this kind of shit is just silly. again, how many things that we ingest are bad for us? the truth is that most of the foods we consume aren't wholly bad for us, but the amount we consume is; the onus is on the individual to eat the correct things, even if "the correct thing" is the occasional burger with ridiculously high sodium levels.

this is america, dude. liberty breeds radicalism, and you may not like it, but that's the fucking price of liberty.

 

[Archer]

Some of us need the iodine from salt in our daily diet. I'd rather have that than have to take pills every day.

 

[Akia]

just a side note, but the War on Salt alert is now at "Movie theater popcorn" level, up from "McDonald's fries" level a few hours ago.

:lol

 

[eznark]

Eznark is in full boiling frog mode when it comes to his salt and, apparently, won't be satisfied until his pickling via Cheez-Its and restaurant dining is complete....:lol

I actually don't eat a lot of salt, but you are right about Cheez-It's. I love those things and the low sodium ones are terrible!! Also, when I go out to eat I don't really worry too much about sodium because I am healthy enough otherwise to not care every once in a while.

My incredulousness isn't self-serving.

Stroke, heart disease and all of that shit are some of the major killers in the world today. Excessive salt in our foods can play a part.

So is inactivity. Non-active recreational activities must be regulated. By 2020 I demand internet use cut 50% and all video games except the Wii be banned.

It's for your own good.

 

[maharg]

It really is sad how many people believe that gives the government the right to intervene, because they have a contempt for people making choices they personally wouldn't.

What if I have contempt for the corporations interest in informing their consumers of what they're putting into their bodies?

 

[RiskyChris]

Oh come on. "I don't have contempt for people, just that they're not making choices I like." If they don't care what they're eating why should the government?

Did you read my post? I said it's the practices of businesses who take advantage of this to the detriment of people.