Usa #1 ?!?!

[NovaKart]

The truth is plenty of people eat at McDonalds and are perfectly healthy. McDonalds isn't some evil corporation just because they sell a product that's unhealthy. People make their own choices about eating there or not.

 

[civver_764]

McDonalds isn't some evil corporation just because they sell a product that's unhealthy.

Right, but there's a boatload of other reasons.

 

[downtown]

I'm also skeptical of the idea that Phillip Morris is less evil than McDonalds. Is PH involved in any serious charity work? The Ronald McDonald house is an awfully important organization for folks with seriously ill children, and McDonalds has also been really active in promoting college scholarships. Plus, working at McDonalds is a perfectly fine job for teenagers, and has helped scores of people learn how to "work".

I dunno if McDonalds ever tried to fund studies to show that Big Macs were actually good for you. If you eat McDonalds every day, you will get fat and sick....but I don't really think they try to hide from that.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Now it's a bit more accurate.

Funny how he had to specify "prostate" cancer isn't it?

http://www.emaxhealth.com/51/23285.html

 

[Murky]

The truth is plenty of people eat at McDonalds and are perfectly healthy. McDonalds isn't some evil corporation just because they sell a product that's unhealthy. People make their own choices about eating there or not.

Are you sure about that?

 

[warpus]

The truth is plenty of people eat at McDonalds and are perfectly healthy. McDonalds isn't some evil corporation just because they sell a product that's unhealthy. People make their own choices about eating there or not.

What *is* sort of evil are the subsidies that keep unhealthy food (like McDonald's food) cheap, while healthy alternatives remain unsubsidised.

As a result those who live close enough to the poverty line are pretty much forced to consume unhealthy food. It's cheap and easily accessible.

 

[civver_764]

Is that actually true? McDonalds has always been a "luxury" for me, because it costs $5-6 for a full meal.

I agree that the subsidies are ridiculous though.

 

[kochman]

I had just watched Sicko, when it came on TV here in New Zealand this weekend. I was really surprised that the healthcare system seemed to be skewed to making a profit first at the expense of overall health of its citizens. What really shocked me was how bad your health systems really are. And of course, we have now had the GFC, so I assume it has got worse. However, has the Obama plan given "universal healthcare" for all citizens, like we in the rest of the world seem to have.

<snip>

Using "Sicko" as a source for anything is not recommended. Moore is a bafoon.

Fun fact: When you have a country of some three-hundred million odd people, you are going to top all sorts of statistics. It is far easier to regulate and control the general welfare of a nation of some single-digit millions, than hundreds of millions spread across the east-west of a continent.

Oh, questionable statistics are questionable.

Well, yes, but China & India should have a lot more #1's if it came down mainly to numbers.

The USA is also #1 in having the highest amount of Godwynns.

Are you quite sure of this?

You may have 300 million people ... but that just means more people fund better services for all. Or is it really just a fully corporatised user-pays society, i.e. only those who have money are treated well and those that don't are left to fend for themselves.

We have a party here in New Zealand that wants to make New Zealand a fully user-pays society and it only got 1% of the total vote in the last election. i.e. we believe that we should look after all people as much as possible.

In New Zealand, if you have an accident, all expenses are paid for by a government department, including ambulance ride. I was really surprised that one Healthcare provider you have sent a bill for the ambulance, because the accident was not approved in advance - WTH.

NZ's population is about what? The size of the NYC metro area's population?
It's a lot easier to take care of a smaller number of people, as the bureaucracy required for larger nations tends to grow almost exponentially...

I'd like to say that the E.U has about 200 million more people then the US . But I do agree with what else you've said .

Just to remind you... the USA is one nation. The EU is 27.

I'd certainly consider McD's more evil than Phillip-Morris.

I agree with this sentiment, because of the 2nd & 3rd hand repercussions.
Cigarettes will kill you, give you cancer, etc. Everyone knows that. It is generally, these days, a 1 victim crime.

However, McD's is responsible for the transition in the USA to Factory Farming. It never ceases to amaze me that you can get a burger for under a $1... but you can't make one at home for anywhere near that amount.
The documentary "Food, Inc" shows how McD's is a prime culprit in the growth of factory farming, which leads to exploitation of farmers... e. coli... etc, etc, etc.
The entire beef, chicken and corn industry have been effected... and of course corn comes from many places, but what presidential primary state that goes first is it a major factor in?
Meanwhile, we have corn rotting in silos, with people starving, and 30% of the US land base producing corn with the help of tax payer subsidies...

The truth is plenty of people eat at McDonalds and are perfectly healthy. McDonalds isn't some evil corporation just because they sell a product that's unhealthy. People make their own choices about eating there or not.

I agree they aren't "evil"... but they have had a huge impact that is detrimental.

 

[NovaKart]

Are you sure about that?

Notice not every person in that photo is fat and McDonald's certainly isn't any more responsible for her weight than Bacardi is for someone's alcoholism.

 

[Murky]

Notice not every person in that photo is fat and McDonald's certainly isn't any more responsible for her weight than Bacardi is for someone's alcoholism.

When you are inundated with daily advertising and you have little money, McDonalds seems like a perfectly logical choice. You are correct that she made that choice, but if you study the psychological factors involved with ads then you might see more of the correlation between her obesity and McDonalds food.

 

[downtown]

The woman on the right seems perfectly skinny....

 

[puttincomputers]

It is rather comical to me how the liberals here in the USA trumpeted the need for children to have health care despite Hospitals already being forced to take anyone who comes in their doors and most hospitals will help you out on the financial end if they know you are not able to pay (they did so for my mom. They nocked off nearly 100% of her bill because she is poor.). Then the libs voted in a law that forced everyone to buy insurance.

SO the real question is ..... Do liberals love the children or do they love their friends in the insurance and pharmaceutical industries who give them big donations??

 

[Murky]

She's young still. Give her five years of eating and McDonalds and she'll probably add a few pounds.

 

[kochman]

The woman on the right seems perfectly skinny....

Her first trip to McD's, she's a foreign visitor to the USA...

 

[Richard Cribb]

If you had prostate cancer, would you rather be treated in the U.S., England, Switzerland, or Sweden?

Sweden.
However, more relevant for me is having 4 chronical illnesses which necessitates regular procedures and tests as well as leading to a weakened immune system and generally poor health. Which of the 4 countries above should I prefer then?

 

[downtown]

She's young still. Give her five years of eating and McDonalds and she'll probably add a few pounds.

Or she can eat McDonalds once a week, exercise, eat other well balanced meals, and be perfectly fine.

 

[Murky]

Or she can eat McDonalds once a week, exercise, eat other well balanced meals, and be perfectly fine.

That's certainly one possible outcome. If you view McDonalds patrons as a probability wave, how many of them would land on such an outcome? How many would end up like the woman on the left?

 

[Patroklos]

What *is* sort of evil are the subsidies that keep unhealthy food (like McDonald's food) cheap, while healthy alternatives remain unsubsidised.

1.) Healthy food is cheaper, I have proved this several times.

2.) Healthy food is just as subsidized, its just not as easy to find ready to eat like unhealthy food is.

[/quote]As a result those who live close enough to the poverty line are pretty much forced to consume unhealthy food. It's cheap and easily accessible.[/QUOTE]

False (on the forced and cheap part).

I just did a challege with my girlfried where I lived off $25 in a week while eating healthy (she works for the Americal Heart Foundation). It laked in variety, but other than that I am just fine.

I intend to make the above a CFC challege BTW, but am waiting until my underway schedule allows it.

 

[kiwitt]

It's a lot easier to take care of a smaller number of people, as the bureaucracy required for larger nations tends to grow almost exponentially ... Just to remind you... the USA is one nation. The EU is 27.

The USA is not too dissimilar.

You have 50 individual states each with their own democracies and bureaucracies. This is where the bureaucracy can be delegated to for the social needs of the people. i.e. use state taxes to pay for the health care etc.

Saying you are just too big is a cop-out ... where there is a will there is a way. I just have not seen this will.

Incidently, who is responsible for welfare, health, education and pensions in the USA ... Federal or States ?

 

[warpus]

1.) Healthy food is cheaper, I have proved this several times.

What sort of healthy food is cheaper than fast food?