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Maybe we should genetically modify the perfect individual and be done with it. Then we can finally live in peace within your self righteous requirements.
When the money runs out, it will have nothing to do with being self righteous!
No, it does not disturb me. What does disturb is how there is a trend putting costs associated with anything a person does; so, if I have a freakin have a beer, someone is going to *** at me how much that beer is costing healthcare, productivity, blah blah any other indicator they can come up with. I am waiting for some bozo to create a carbon-credit type scheme to come in to "remedy" this.
How much someone weighs is not relevant, give me some body fat percentage. Even someone like Pat Tillman would have been considered obese by these measurements. At around 15% body fat, I am considered obese if going by my weight.
Are there lots of fat people? Oh yes, I use to live in TN, the place where you are abnormal if you are not a walking whale. I think the lack of discipline in eating is disgusting, but even worse is how many people seem to think that being obese is "normal", and immediately accuse someone thin of having "genetics" or "eating a piece of lettuce a day" or being a "gym freak"; basically fatties resort to name calling in order to justify their short comings.
Oh, the irony. I guess you resort to name-calling too... is that to justify some of your shortcomings?
Aside from that little gem, I actually agreed with much of what you said. If someone chooses to eat or drink a certain way, that is their business - and if they're taxpayers and/or insured, as most Americans are, we have even less of a right to wag our fingers at them. Is there ANYONE in the world who doesn't do something unhealthy, or doesn't ever make bad personal choices? I doubt it.
Also agree with your comments regarding the BMI, which has been proven as an ineffective way to measure individuals (only works in terms of populations). I lost 55lbs through healthy lifestyle changes, and my doctor officially said I was no longer a "health concern." But guess what? I was still borderline obese according to the BMI, despite the fact that I looked and felt fine! Everyone has a different body type, therefore it's always better to listen to your doctor instead of reading some chart. Finally, despite how you feel about "fatties" or even "skinnies," genetics really DO play a role in how one is built... you can fight those genetics, but to claim they have no impact on weight is incredibly ignorant.
Would you be against even higher taxes on cigarettes and taxing junk food?
Yes. Like "boxus" said, these are sin taxes and I don't agree with those... like he/she also said, measuring one's health or the impact of stuff like junk food (cigarettes a little easier) is highly subjective. There are plenty of healthy people who are overweight according to BMI charts, just as there are plenty of UNhealthy people who don't smoke or have high body weights. You do realize not all overweight folks have actual health problems, right?
I also hope you realize thin people can have heart attacks, get cancer, eat crappy, and have a myriad of other expensive health issues in their lifetimes. So while it's obviously not good to be overweight or a smoker, to punish ONLY those types of "sinners" makes little sense. What about a skinny person who eats McDonald's and never works out, also drinks like a fish, but just was blessed with the ability to remain thin regardless? Are they going to cost more than an otherwise healthy person who weighs 200lbs? Hard to say, but I'd put my money on the latter for costing "us" less money overall.
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Would you be against having to pay higher price on health insurance if your were considered overweight or smoker?
Yes, although I'm pretty sure that already happens if you're on an individual (non-employer) plan. At least, that was the case before ACA was introduced. Back before I had employer-paid insurance, I was forced to look for my own plan... and the SECOND I entered my weight, or checked "yes" to being a smoker, my application was rejected. So you know what I did? I lied, and was accepted by the first company after changing my answers. Easy peasy.
I agree you have the right to do what you want with your body...but if your choices start affecting my paycheck do you think I have the right to speak up or be disturbed?
Why are you assuming THEY don't pay taxes on THEIR paychecks too? Interesting how people discussing this issue always differentiate between "taxpayers" and "the fat people/smokers," like they are two separate categories. The fattest man I know also happens to be a billionaire, and pays more into taxes and charities annually than most people make in their entire lives. Should he be given an exemption to your proposed taxes, or do you still think somehow your measly (or even generous) tax contributions will be paying for him?
And while anyone can speak up or "be disturbed" about whatever they want, paying taxes doesn't actually give you the right to dictate laws on a personal level. You can possibly argue this point on a large/collective scale, but an individual who is unhealthy won't make a dent in your taxes... even if they did, you're going down a slippery slope that might eventually hit you too. Or are you going to claim your life is 100% health-oriented, and that you know for certain you'll never need expensive medical services? Lots of people think that, most end up being wrong at some point.
Maybe we should genetically modify the perfect individual and be done with it. Then we can finally live in peace within your self righteous requirements.
The sad truth is that many people posting to these forums, and many within the general population, have developed a rabid hatred of obese individuals. A hatred so intense that many of them seem more inclined to pursue a Hitlerian "final solution" than an answer to a serious health concern.
You won't often find the "but my healthcare dollars are paying for it..." argument leveled against smokers with emphysema, habitual tanners with skin cancer, sexually irresponsible people who contract STDs, or individuals who became handicapped from drunk driving or some other foolish personal act.
Bring up obesity, and the hatred fills every gap. Those who are prone to irrational bigotry will always find a reason to justify themselves. Best to take joy in the real human beings who treat others with the respect and dignity deserving of their overall character.
Yes. Like "boxus" said, these are sin taxes and I don't agree with those... like he/she also said, measuring one's health or the impact of stuff like junk food (cigarettes a little easier) is highly subjective. There are plenty of healthy people who are overweight according to BMI charts, just as there are plenty of UNhealthy people who don't smoke or have high body weights. You do realize not all overweight folks have actual health problems, right?
I also hope you realize thin people can have heart attacks, get cancer, eat crappy, and have a myriad of other expensive health issues in their lifetimes. So while it's obviously not good to be overweight or a smoker, to punish ONLY those types of "sinners" makes little sense. What about a skinny person who eats McDonald's and never works out, also drinks like a fish, but just was blessed with the ability to remain thin regardless? Are they going to cost more than an otherwise healthy person who weighs 200lbs? Hard to say, but I'd put my money on the latter for costing "us" less money overall.
Yes, although I'm pretty sure that already happens if you're on an individual (non-employer) plan. At least, that was the case before ACA was introduced. Back before I had employer-paid insurance, I was forced to look for my own plan... and the SECOND I entered my weight, or checked "yes" to being a smoker, my application was rejected. So you know what I did? I lied, and was accepted by the first company after changing my answers. Easy peasy.
That's fine...but those who are thin, don't smoke, in shape, don't drink, should get some kind of break!!!
The sad truth is that many people posting to these forums, and many within the general population, have developed a rabid hatred of obese individuals. A hatred so intense that many of them seem more inclined to pursue a Hitlerian "final solution" than an answer to a serious health concern.
You won't often find the "but my healthcare dollars are paying for it..." argument leveled against smokers with emphysema, habitual tanners with skin cancer, sexually irresponsible people who contract STDs, or individuals who became handicapped from drunk driving or some other foolish personal act.
Bring up obesity, and the hatred fills every gap. Those who are prone to irrational bigotry will always find a reason to justify themselves. Best to take joy in the real human beings who treat others with the respect and dignity deserving of their overall character.
Are you overweight?
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