@josie This Q really made me think. Here, I’ll throw down a straw man proposal.
Everyone gets coupons for an equivalent of 1500 calories of food per day. 2000 for adult. 3000 for an adult actively working a job with heavy manual labor. (The numbers would be adjusted for age and current weight) These coupons are good for anything you like at a grocery store. All foods will have the calorie content of the container printed in large letters next to the price. Everyone would readily understand how mah calories are in the box. For example: a box of 6 donuts would have “3000” printed on the top.
BUT…. all food purchases made by cash, credit card debit card check, paypal, etc. are priced at 3 times the coupon price. You are free to eat as many McD Belly busters as you like, but you will pay a lot for it. The money collected will be used to fund the coupon purchases. the 3 times rate would be adjusted every year to ensure the program is self sustaining.
If extra food was more expensive people would be encouraged to eat less. Obesity rates would drop. Fewer people would be out on disability. There would be fewer hip and knee replacements. there would be fewer sway-backed scooters trundling obese shoppers into the grocery store. Insulin usage would drop. Surgical procedures would be easier and have higher rates of success. this list is the tip of the iceberg. Feel free to add to it.
Not only is the coupon program totally free, it would be optional. The only requirement is an annual weigh in and BMI measurement during your annual physical to determine if your base calorie rate should be adjusted A weight gain of 5 pounds would reduce the base calorie rate by 50 calories per day. A person getting 1500 calories per day would be reduced to 1450..
You must weigh in to be eligible for the program for another year.
Hunger would be eliminated. Obesity would be taxed to cover the extra costs incurred by society.
Democrats would like it because they can say they are feeding the poor.
Republicans would like it because they can say the ended the war on poverty. Educators would like it because they can teach kids at an early age to eat right.
The Poor would like it because they can save money.
The Rich would like it because they can continue to buy anything they like.
Libertarians would like it because they are free to opt out.
Free thinker commune dwellers would like it because they can continue to grow their own food and eat as much as they like.
Vegetarians would like it because they can eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and still have calories left over for wine.
Omnivores would like it because all foods are available
Farmers benefit by selling more crops. Stores benefit by selling more healthier .
I can only think of one group that would be opposed to it. the Purveyors of Krispy Dream lard rolls. But within a week they will convert their equipment to make deep fried carrots.
@josie. So, how’d I do?