The dystopian in me believes that universal health care would have the net effect of criminalizing cigarettes, junk food, and couch potato-ism. However, the Canadians still have one Tim Hortons for every four citizens, and the Quebecois still eat poutine-so maybe I'm off mark.
Do you think Canadians have the same laissez-fair attitude toward, say, welfare moms? I'm just thinking that obese people will become the new welfare moms. "I work 12 hours a day for you to eat Big Macs?"
Don't forget skateboarders. "Hey, kid-if you break your wrist, that's gonna cost taxpayers $1200!"
It is a concern, but I think fat people are already marginalized and considered deviant in the U.S. as compared to countries that already have universal health care. I suppose it might make it worse, but I don't think there's been any evidence of that from other western countries (although it's worth looking into...by someone other than me).
Once things like diet and exercise affect federal expenditures, I do think that we'll see more legislation to discourage bad (i.e. expensive) behavior, and more social programs to encourage good (i.e. cheap) behaviors. Will it create an oppressive state that wants to take away my freedom to eat cheesecake? Good question.
I didn't answer your question, but that's because I don't know. Who knows what those crazy Canucks think?
It will certainly give a new meaning to "the personal is political" and consider how much our bodies will become a concern of the State. Responsible citizens will join Vic Tanny's. Your body is an expression of your patriotism. I can already hear dissertations being scribbled. And what will that do to those who can't afford Whole Foods?
i don't think you're really paranoid. people ALREADY do this about normal health insurance. "MY PREMIUM COSTS $400 a month because some slut has AIDS and i'm subsidizing the cost of his AZT." right? i already hear this stuff. and plane seats. and people yelling at people on the subway for being big and bumping into them during rush hour. i mean, it's gross.
culturally, we feel so entitled to judge anyone who is not fitting 6 hours of gym in a week, people who are tired or too broke at the moment to invest in pantry foods and therefore go to wendy's, or whatever else we think we as individuals are morally above. it sucks because everyone is doing something shitty that affects someone else. socially irresponsible investments, not recycling, littering (which i am reminded daily CAN START FIRES ON THE TRACKS AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE DELAYED ON THE WAY TO WORK), whatever. all of these things translate into economic costs, not just body size or whatever.
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It is a concern, but I think fat people are already marginalized and considered deviant in the U.S. as compared to countries that already have universal health care. I suppose it might make it worse, but I don't think there's been any evidence of that from other western countries (although it's worth looking into...by someone other than me).
Once things like diet and exercise affect federal expenditures, I do think that we'll see more legislation to discourage bad (i.e. expensive) behavior, and more social programs to encourage good (i.e. cheap) behaviors. Will it create an oppressive state that wants to take away my freedom to eat cheesecake? Good question.
I didn't answer your question, but that's because I don't know. Who knows what those crazy Canucks think?
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I'm getting really paranoid.
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culturally, we feel so entitled to judge anyone who is not fitting 6 hours of gym in a week, people who are tired or too broke at the moment to invest in pantry foods and therefore go to wendy's, or whatever else we think we as individuals are morally above. it sucks because everyone is doing something shitty that affects someone else. socially irresponsible investments, not recycling, littering (which i am reminded daily CAN START FIRES ON THE TRACKS AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE DELAYED ON THE WAY TO WORK), whatever. all of these things translate into economic costs, not just body size or whatever.
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