Their profits leave Maui, but tax our overburdened healthcare system.I read the editorial “The Supersize Isle” today. These are the Supersize Isles. Hawai‘i has an obvious abundance of obese people. I disagree that the increased consumption of fast food is only related to people’s choices. Fast food was not a part of our history or culture—it is very new. Choices are sculpted by cultural values, and today cultural values are highly affected by marketing, availability and proximity. These businesses are backed by multi-billion dollar corporations that make a profit through de-educating and addicting people with their marketing and products. People are led to believe that the convenience and short-term highs derived from these products will make them feel good. In reality, they pollute the body, destroy the ability to taste natural foods and lead to health problems and death.
People should be responsible for their actions and choices, but many are not. Government should protect people. Imagine no gun laws, no drug restrictions, no driving laws or standards, no business regulation.
Smoking laws, as mentioned, are more about protecting non-smokers than smokers. Smoking is not necessary or natural, and neither is fast food. So I don’t see a problem with having regulation to protect people. Other than health issues, it would also help the island look less like a consumer playground and more like a tropical island.
Taxing fast food could help as well. Fast food taxes our healthcare system, so we should recoup the money somewhere, just like with cigarettes. Crying socialism is ridiculous. We are corporate consumer slaves that feel free as long as we can buy all the useless junk that makes us feel free. Free to be fat and unhealthy? No thanks. I’d rather have national healthcare.
Most fast food money goes right off the island while the food goes right to the heart, kidneys, liver and backside, taxing the health of our people and our healthcare system.
Regulation is not always a bad thing. I’m all for a Hawai‘i that supports more local, natural, sustainable business that leads to a healthy and abundant ‘aina.