Weighty Proposition: Should Fat Be a Felony?
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By Shawn Mckee
eDiets Staff Writer
Today, the senate and house will vote on a bill insiders have dubbed "The Fat Tax." It's a revision on a healthcare bill that would make being obese a punishable offense. Obesity is defined in the bill as "more than 20 percent over one's ideal weight based on age, height, sex and build."
Most "initial contacts" would result in nothing more than a verbal or written warning, according to government insiders. However, it is up to the officer's discretion as what to do next. In certain situations -- in the presence of children or someone morbidly obese -- the officer would have the jurisdiction to issue a citation or even order the offender to join a weight education and management class.
Someone who refuses their rehabilitation, or is repeatedly ticketed, could lose certain rights and privileges -- like their driver's license -- and even spend time in jail.
"We're paying more than $78 billion per year on healthcare for the overweight and obese," explains Debra Brumback, who was one of the sponsors of the amendment. "I think people need to be held accountable for their actions. This bill will do that."
The amendment was attached to the "Feeding Ordinance on Obesity Legislation," that has been nearly a decade in the making. The bill itself is highly controversial and has found ardent opposition from groups like PETF, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Food.
"This is ridiculous! It's just another example of the government infringing on people's rights and putting their fingers in everyone's pies -- literally," exclaims PETF spokesman Frankie "Bag of Doughnuts" Winters. "I eat a half-dozen doughnuts every morning for breakfast. I'd like to see the government stop that. They shut down one doughnut shop, another one pops up across the street."
Most agree that education is the key to keeping Americans healthy, so much of the money saved on healthcare and made from fines paid would go to bringing back physical education in schools, teaching nutrition and making healthier snacks available in school vending machines.
"We have a growing epidemic in this country. Most people do struggle with their weight and, I think, will welcome this government assistance and intervention," according to Brumback, who weighs in at a svelte 125-pounds. "I mean, when I put on my freshman 15, I would have never lost that weight if I hadn't had to get three physical education credits and lost that weight in Racquetball 1113."
This all leads to myriad ethical questions about where the government's jurisdiction ends when it comes to the individual. If the bill passes, there is also a concern about certain "unhealthy foods" being considered contraband and a black market for certain goods developing much like prohibition did in the early part of 20th century and creating another niche for organized crime.
Shawn McKee graduated from the
Comment: Monday, March 31, 2008 2:38:00 PM - 
said...
This whole "Fat Tax" thing is not only disgusting, but irrational. With the amount of overweight people in this country, they would have to tax everyone...wait a minute, maybe we can get rid of the national deficit!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 6:20:00 AM - said...
I agree that this would be a tax on many of the people in the country. However, right now we basically have the same thing for healthy weight people. Health care costs have risen in large part due to our unhealthy society. Why should the healthy people have to pay for the obese people's health care? Also, in the long run this new tax will actually cost the obese people less if it inspires them to get to a more healthy weight as their long term health care costs will be less.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 6:23:00 AM - said...
Joke as it may be this is a critical issue in the US. Obesity should be ranked with heart disease, cancer and motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death and should not be considered a joke. Most people do need to take responsibility for their actions on food consumption. The billions of $$$$ spent to treat weight related complications could be better spent on mechanisms to reverse this trend. Are we, as Americans, willing to sacrifice our lives rather than take control. This is one of the few aspects of your life that you CAN control. Thank you for the opportunity to sound off.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 6:27:00 AM - said...
I am all for us becoming healthy! but instead of "big brother" watching our every bite what if he gives a reward for being thin...not a penalty. Wasn't positive reinforcement the way we raised our children? I am a thin, fit person and know you cannot force someone to work that hard unless they want it. Think of the size of prison that would have to be built to house all the very large people that would be in it.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 6:59:00 AM - said...
Ok....that was not funny at all!! Moving on to the next April Fool's joke....................
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:16:00 AM - said...
If people can't afford their own health care what makes the government think they can afford classes or fines ? Can't even imagine how this would work...
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:34:00 AM - said...
I was reading this whole article with my mouth hanging wide open in disbelief until I read about the author and the comment "He loves a good prank, joke or trick. Don't believe everything you read. Happy April Fool's Day." What a hoot!!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:53:00 AM - 
thornewood said...
If the governement is going to start charging a tax for being obese, they also need to start footing the bill for preventing and reversing obesity. It is cheaper to eat unhealthy than it is to eat healthy. The governement needs to contribute to the costs of heathy food, gym fees, personal trainers, nutrition supplements, child care while exercising, etc.
Also, there are many medications and medical conditions that cause people to gain weight despite good lifestyle choices. A generation ago, my cousin's asthma was treated with steroids, known for causing weight gain. She ended up getting her stomach stapled as an adult because of this. My son has Asperger's and is treated with Risperidone, also known for causing weight gain. We have tried to offset the effects of his medication with diet and activity, but he is still at the very upper limit of normal weight range for his height. What is the governements plan for people that are obese due to reasons beyond their control?
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:00:00 AM - said...
I don't think that anything that can not be taxed 100% of the time the same should be a law. Everyone has their opinion about what is fat, a doctor is the only one who can determine a healthy weight and they are not even good at that, but if you tax the obese it is less likely they will even see a doctor, so does it make sense?
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:23:00 AM - said...
ABSOLUTELY!!!! THE GOVERNMENT HAS GONE TOO FAR ON MANY THINGS!!! EDUCATION WOULD BE A BETTER SOLUTION. I BELIEVE MANY PEOPLE'S WEIGHT IS MORE OUT OF IGNORANCE AND NOT KNOWING WHAT AND HOW TO EAT. I KNOW MANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS DON'T HAVE A CLUE HOW TO INTERPRET THE INFORMATION ON A FOOD PRODUCT LABEL.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:25:00 AM - said...
I think I would like to believe what the government is trying to do, which is lowering medical expenses. However, last time I checked we live in a free country or do we? Maybe the answer is to promote a healthy image in a positive way as opposed to "lose weight or go to jail". I believe the government will be stepping on our rights if this bill passes. But I also think that something needs to be done, if not for ourselves but for our children's sakes.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:45:00 AM - said...
Great joke, but scary concept. I was getting ready to go home and tell my husband that we needed to leave the country!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:49:00 AM - said...
Funny ... bit on this big time! Can someone please help me remove the hook from my mouth?
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:49:00 AM - said...
I agree that people who make bad decisisions in regards to their health should be held repsonsible for their own actions. Why should healthy people have to pay higher insurance premiums to support the health problems caused by obesity? Maybe a better solution would be to refuse insurance or free health care to obese people. Either way, something should be done.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:53:00 AM - said...
Okay. So I get that this is an April Fool's joke....but I actually think the concept is a great idea. I am tired of the obese saying "oh poor me...it's not my fault I'm overweight". It is very rare that there are medical reasons causing someone's obesity. The fact of the matter is that most obese people make poor diet choices...in both the type of food they eat and the amount of food they eat. And on top of that they don't exercise regularly...not even in their day to day lives. They take the elevator rather than the stairs...they drive around the parking lot for 10 minutes rather than taking the open spot at the back of the lot...they email their co-worker rather than walking one aisle over to speak with them face to face...etc. I also don't buy the argument that being obese doesn't hurt anyone but themselves. I'm sick and tired of paying (financially and otherwise) for their choices. Why should I have to share part of my seat/space on a bus, airplane, ballpark, theater, etc with someone simply because they do not fit in their own seat? This is just one non-financial example of how obesity negatively affects others. I am not supermodel thin, but I am a healthy weight. I love to eat and drink, but I try to make healthy choices most of the time and I exercise regularly. I'm not a super person...I'm extremely average....so if I can do it...so can others....it's really just all about choices.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:02:00 AM - said...
I absolutely think that this law should be passed, but should contain a rider that all Americans must also get a sense of humor! We have become a nation of humorless, ultra serious, scared of everything, ready to sue over every slight people.
Happy April Fools Day!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:12:00 AM - said...
Like someone else said if they would make it easier to eat healthier I think that America in general would. It is cheaper to grab a burger at McDonalds in lieu of a Salad so to speak. I love my Salads but when you look at the majority of people. Is it easier and faster to grab a bag of donuts or to cook a breakfast?
Today's society is a busy one and everyone is looking for the cheapest and fastest route and it isn't the healthiest by any means.
I think they need to look at giving tax credits for the exercise memberships etc and then go from there, if you give them something positive in lieu of negative. If you tax them they will fill like they could never get out of it. Give them rewards.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:30:00 AM - said...
What a sense of "humor"? You know how to fight obesity? The manufacturers of TV's should get rid of the remote control options; people with postage stamp size yards should go back to pushing a lawn mower - not riding a mower; get rid of the high frustose corn syrup in foods - a big contributor to adding on the pounds. It is in everything we consume- under different names of ingredients!! This is just the start of a very long list of things that could be done to put a control on obesity - also teach the children how to entertain themselves - not with video games where they sit on their bottoms and don't move a muscle. All boils down to getting more exercise - moving the body not just pushing a button.
This is no joke but Happy April Fool's Day anyway.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:35:00 AM - said...
I agree about having education to teach people to be healthy, but I disagree with being jailed for being fat. All that will cause is to make people desperate enough to turn to drugs to lose weight. Weight loss pills, meth, cocaine, etc. Then we will all end up paying more taxes to the jail system for mad drug addicted people instead of happy pleasantly plump people!!!!!!!!!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:36:00 AM - Tracy L. said...
GREAT APRIL FOOL'S JOKE!!!!!!!!
You had me going! I was about to call my husband and tell him that he was going to be in trouble!!!! ;-)
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:38:00 AM - said...
Ok yeh I fell for it too, and then I started reading some of the things people wrote. There was one in particular that really irritated me! Some people just don't get it! I am "obese" and I hardly ever go to a doctor but I know some skinny people that are there all the time. I don't feel the health insurance is a fat or skinny person problem! I do however agree with the food being cheaper if it is bad for you. I want to go into a grocery store and come out with fruits and vegies and low cal food and NOT spend a couple hundred dollars!!
You know for an April fools joke you sure got some people riled up!!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:44:00 AM - said...
We really can't let the government do this or anything remotely like it. I can understand higher health insurance rates; that makes sense just like higher car insurance rates for those who drive irresponsibly. If we let them "tax" overweight people, who's to stop them from taxing everything?
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:35:00 AM - said...
While I don't think people above the age of 18 should be charged with the fine or the felony but I think if your child is overweight you should be. The child is not able to buy there own food, you do. What else are they supposed to eat if the only food around the house is junk food. I would consider a child being overweight child abuse. The child did not ask to be overweight, they were forced to eat food that their parents gave them. Thank god the government is finally starting to smarten up and see that Americans are fat!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:44:00 AM - said...
Why do they always approach a problem from a negative angle? Why not offer flex spending plans that would allow for health related expenses to be written off i.e gym memeber ships, personal training, nutrition counseling, weight equipment, health classes? Also, why not work to make healthier food choices available to people? Often the least expensive food choices are the least healthy.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:18:00 AM - said...
I think its a good idea, it might be a wake up call to all the obese people which consists of 65% of the country. I think the government should allow more funds for fitness centers and personal trainers to help get these people healthy and in shape.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:26:00 AM - said...
Fat Tax! Many of the really FAT people can't afford good, healthy food, so why do we think they could afford more taxes? Our society has become lazy and our kids are a reflection of that. Come on people...take pride in yourself and shape up! You are the only one that can help yourself..."God helps those who help themselves!" That's no April Fools Joke!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:04:00 PM - susan said...
Ok so I know this is a joke but think of it this way. If they put obese people in prison then they could run it like a fat camp. 3 meals a day with 2 snacks, only proper portions, nothing unhealthy is served, everyone must exercise for an hour a day. Then if an inmate loses at least .5 lbs a week they get visiting rights for family and friends.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:23:00 PM - said...
It Starts out as a joke them It becomes real. so beware. In Europe there already talk about not giving insurance to older people due to cost of keeping them alive!. So it is not to much of a streach to see the fat tax to happen here.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:31:00 PM - said...
I was very concerned while reading the article and thinking this can't come to be. Then I saw it was a joke and didn't find it funny, however...you did get me thinking!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 12:43:00 PM - said...
Riiiiight...so someone is actually suggesting that health care costs and insurance premiums will go down if the government taxes obesity? That's the biggest joke I've heard in a LONG time. Do auto insurance rates go down when people are legally forced to buy liability insurance? HECK NO they don't, and doctors and insurance companies won't take a pay cut if this goes into effect, either.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 1:37:00 PM - said...
Wow what an April fools joke.. I did notice that most responses were from "superior" people who believe they are not in the obese catagory. I'm one of "those'people with a beer belly that I've been trying to loose most of my adult life and I don't eat junk food. I don't believe that 'those' people wake up in the morning and say "I want to get fatter today" especially with the magazine/entertainment media influence that over weight people are worthless. I sincerely believe that more marketing prime time exposure should be given to education on a healthy eating lifestyle. You see lots of anti-drug ads, why not unhealthy food ads ? Think of all the advertising spent on the fast food industry, especially during and after the dinner hour. Perhaps disclaimers of unhealthy food choices should be inserted. I could go on all day, but I do believe gov't should intervene in some form to better educate the general public and reward people with reduced health premiums for attempting to be better fit with the long term goal of a healthier lifestyle.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 1:43:00 PM - said...
Some people have health problems or take medicine that causes overweight. Some people have mental issues that cause weight problems, and some weight problems come from genetics. It wouldn't surprise me at all if our government was trying to do this. If they are so interested in stopping rising health costs and death, when are they going to outlaw drinking? I thought we lived in a free society so why is it that other people get to dictate what we can and can't eat. I eat very healthy but still have problems due to genetics. Why don't they take some of the millions and millions of dollars they are spending on running for president and put it into the healthcare system? Better yet why don't they put some controls on what they can charge. I have insurance but can't afford the co-pays or medicine. I for one am tired of being demonized by food Nazis.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 1:45:00 PM - said...
We had better start ticketing people who are smoking on the street then too. Second hand smoke and its effects must cost millions to the insurance companies!
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 1:59:00 PM - said...
I am a senior citizen living on a fixed income. Fortunately I live in a part of the country where fruits and veggies are reasonably priced. Food prices keep going up and up. I just read in the naper about the grain being used for fuel and that prices will continue to rise. Over the last few years I have lost 80 pounds by eating sensibly and belonging to a support group. My dr. says I am in good shape for my age but that I need to eat more protein. HAHA. EWhat is the cheapest meat? you guessed it. Hotdogs and they are not part of a healthy diet. Meat prices are outrageous. MIlk is over $4.00 a gallon. Cheese is expensive, Eggs are not cheap. I dfo not eat out, So what is the answer? MAny fols eat a lot of starches and greasy food because of budgetary limits. For some there is no excuse. I do buy eggs and peanut butter and pork is the cheapest meat here, Fortunately it is usually lean. I also know when the managers mark down the meat that still has a couple days before it expires. It is perfectly good and can be frozen. It is estimated that there are over 40 million kids in America without adequate food.We are in a jam folks. fines and penalties are surely not the answer. With fuel prices food prices will also kjeep climbing.God help us help ourselves and keep the govt out of it.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:05:00 PM - said...
Now weight a minute! They have to be kidding. Jail time just for being human!! Overweight? Hey,
we have to stand up for our rights.
OR they will be telling us how to do everything. we all know when we
need to lose a few pounds. But that should be our choice. and our doctors advice.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:26:00 PM - said...
I think it should be punishable - I hope this passes! We are becoming a nation of disgusting gluttony. That PETA "donut" guy - that's not "ethical" treatment of food - it's a fatty fraternity trying to say it is OK to eat yourself to death. And I don't want to pay for that. If a person respects food, they enjoy flavors and proper cooking and high quality, not manufactured foods and fake chemicals. Go to any other country and you can pick out the Americans... they're the ones that look like the beached whales.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:56:00 PM - said...
kay, this is a decent idea and all, but this will really hurt some people's self esteem seriously what if the person is already working on losing weight and is succeeding, and actually is starting to feel good about themselves again and a cop comes up and tickets them for being fat? i really think this won't go over well.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:57:00 PM - said...
I am overweight and I've not been
to a doctor in years. But I know alot of people, big or slim that go
to the doctor every time their nose
runs. For people like me it would
be really nice to get a rebate for
not useing our insurance.
Also I work full time and pay for my insurance,and I am not on any
meds.
Also there are alot of slim people
that have the same health problems
as obese people.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:00:00 PM - said...
This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. The government needs to worry more about the economic crisis and less about the publics PERSONAL life.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:05:00 PM - said...
NEXT THEY WILL BE WANTING A TAX
FOR BEING UGLY.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:28:00 PM - said...
At first I was floored by this artical, I could not beleive it the government has gone too far. Then I got the joke. What really caught my eye were all the comments that were thrown in. One, most people are unaware that alot of the health problems that go wrong with a person is genetic, including obesity.
Two, another reason why alot of people eat junk food, as already been stated, is cheaper than the healthy food. And the fuel costs are one of the main reasons for that.
Three, because people don't have enough time to throw together a meal that takes an hour, because they are taking thier kids to what ever practice they are signed up for (soccer, football, cheerleader). And because a all adults in the household in MOST households have to work to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and cloths on their back.
Four, a person may have a medical reason.
Five, how do you know if these people haven't already tried every diet in the book.
Six, have you ever thought that there was a psychological reason for them eating the way they do?
There are so many reasons out there for the reason that people haven't lost weight, and to point your finger and blaime is very childish and ignorant.
Think people! I am going through nursing school and realizing the why's and how's of the way things work in the human body and it is a lot harder than you think. Some people are lucky and some are not. And I happen to be one of the lucky ones.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:56:00 PM - said...
Joke or not, all of the responses sadden me. How judgemental some of the people are in this forum. Yes, it seems that I am appearing that way as well, but my goodness! How hard have people worked in this country to combat biggotry? After reading some of these comments, it seems that it was for nothing. Sure, people should take better care of themselves, but it isn't always about food. How about the kids who don't get more than 15 mintues of recess because the schools are more consumed with test scores than they are with the kids overall well being? How about the dual income families who work long hours, sit in long traffic jams and still barely have enough to afford the healthier choices? Everyone has a vice, and before you point your skinny finger at the "fat" person, you better take a long, hard look at your own struggles and see if you want a fine on those. Should we fine the person who worries too much? Should we fine the person who is too nosy? April Fool's joke or not, we need to find ways to support each other in this country rather than push people down. Give credits for healthy weights. Give rebates on insurance for either not using it or a healthy lifestyle. Focus on prevention rather than just punishment. Besides, wouldn't more than half of congress fall prey to this tax? Look at Ted Kennedy...
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:38:00 PM - said...
YA I FELL FOR IT TOO... GREAT CREATIVITY TO WHO WROTE IT!!! However i would like to voice my oppinion in anyway. Who knows maybe it will really come to fruition with government being what it can be at times. What happened to the land of the FREE where we can be who and what we want and have a right to be. Being fat only hurts the person who is overweight. How about giving incentives to loose the weight instead of punishment, like tax breaks on fresh foods that are healthier for us and compensation and tax breaks on a gym membership or exercise equipment, and more or better walking trails in the communities. Good grief. :(
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 7:48:00 PM - said...
Wouldn't it be great! I mean, we would raise the suicide rate in America exponentially. So much for gas prices, and job security, everyone would be dead so there would be far less demand on our pocketbooks. Maybe then we could all afford to take up a hobby, like skydiving.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:00:00 PM - said...
If they did this, then they should also pass a bill that makes cigarette smoking a punishable offense since children and even babies are exposed to cigarette smoke by people who don't care who they offend.
Comment: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:23:00 PM - said...
HAHAHAHAHA !!! THAT WAS AWESOME!! made me laugh! Thanks! =D
Comment: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:56:00 PM - said...
Man most excellent joke. I was all red in the face and angry that once again the government would try to gain that kind of control on people. Although I wouldn't put it past the government to try something like it. Health is an important issue but weight gain or loss is a personal choice whether healthy or not.
Comment: Saturday, April 05, 2008 2:37:00 PM - said...
My God, you really had me there for a moment, I actually started to panic for a minute. I started having visions of cops pulling me over and giving me a bunch of tickets that I can't afford to pay. This would be an awful way to encourage any over weight person to loose weight, we'd be too scared to leave the house to go exercise!
I agree something needs to be done, but the idea that people think that over weight people are bad people who should be fined and sent to jail really makes me angry. I'm a good person! I've never done anything to deserve to go to jail.
I think a good place to start would be with the food industry. Everywhere you go the portions are out of control. There are a few places where one can now find Weight Watchers items, and smaller portions, but they are few and far between, and the fast food restaurants are seriously not helping. Everything is available in Super Size, and yes a person can choose the smaller portioned items, but the fact that the larger items are there in temptations way is a lot of people's downfall.
Today's small was what I grew up with as a medium, what does that say about the food industry's concern for their patrons health?
Healthy food is expensive, so to promote healthier eating, I say lower the cost of health food and increase the cost of unhealthy foods. If someone orders a steak with vegetables and fruit as their side items it should cost less than if they ordered the steak with potatoes and mac and cheese. And if you even have room for desert, it should be one of the more pricey items on the menu.
Well that is my opinion on the matter. I know this was meant as a joke, and it was a pretty good one as far as coming off as believable, but it also scared the crap out of me. Food has been my vice for a long time, and I have taken drastic and expensive steps to get my eating under control. I had gastric bypass surgery so I can no longer eat the way I used to, but I still have a long way to go before I reach a healthy weight, and so the thought of being fined for being large is terrifying. I paid for that surgery with my own money, I do not have insurance, so it didn't cost anybody else but me to have it. I'm not benefiting from anybody else's taxes. So my weight is on me and no one else.
Comment: Friday, April 18, 2008 8:40:00 AM - said...
Okay so this was meant as a joke, but it really made a lot of people think as evidenced by the responses. How about this...let's make the health insurance companies cover gastric banding and diet program expenses. Yes, it might raise costs initially but in the end you'd have healthier people with less medical expenses.
Comment: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:10:00 PM - bill said...
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