Friedman Paternalism

In his article Are You Responsible For Your Own Weight?, policy analyst Radley Balko argues that the Government has no business interfering with what individuals eat. Kelly Brownell, a Yale Chairman, and Marion Nestle a New York University professor state otherwise by arguing that the Government should intervene to create conditions that lead to healthy eating. Balko has a strong argument led with in depth examples, logical support, and credentials to support his tone along with minor fallacies. Kelly Brownell and Marion Nestle fail to go more in depth about her argument, but rely heavily on trying to counter the claims given by the opposing side. The lack of rhetorical devices in her article and inadequate organization weakens her tone as well as the appeal to their audience.

Policy Analysis Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 Obesity in America is quickly becoming a serious health issue with more than one third of United States (U.S.) adults living with obesity. Obesity can lead to many devastating diseases such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes, many of these are leading causes of preventable deaths (CDC CITE). In an effort to combat obesity in the U.S. a legislative bill has been introduced to congress. H.R. 1953, also known as Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2017 was introduced to congress on April 4, 2017 and was sponsored by Rep Erik Paulsen (R- MN). More than seventy-six representatives eventually supported the bill.

In the article “The Fat Tax,” Jonathan Rauch ironically discusses the new public policy concern with obesity. Although the article is a satire, it’s economic analysis is actually valid. In order to get his point across, Rauch uses sarcasm, appeals to logos, and degrades the issue of obesity to help Americans better understand the “big picture.” Moreover, if the diet of American consumers does not change then maybe advertising more exercise to lose weight will cut down the obesity rate; but to be just as effective, enacting the fat tax will improve health as well.

Proving statistics of type 2 diabetes, deaths related to unhealthy eating habits, how it affects Americans as well as farmers, and how the President himself could make the change, but at the same time he showing the controversy of "Michelle Obama warning Americans to avoid high-fructose corn syrup at the same time the president is signing farm bills that subsidize its production." In doing so Pollan is exploiting the facts, but also being persistent on how the Government can make the change, but how they appear to be inconsistent. Nowhere does Pollan provide his readers with information on healthful foods that can be consumed, things to keep an eye out for, or changes that us as Americans can make ourselves have a healthier

Milton Friedman revolutionized free market thinking. He believed in a free market as the best solution for the stability of an economy. Basing his theories on Adam Smith’s “invisible hand”, Friedman further developed Smith’s theory. In short, Friedman’s Neoliberalism can be described through one of his quotes on the social responsibility of business, “There is one and only one social responsibility of business — to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits, so long as it stays within the rules of the game” (Cooney, 2012). Friedman’s belief of the market’s perfection is based on the assumption that no actor would agree to a transaction if they did not find it fitting for themselves (Friedman, 1975).

“New York City’s Board of Health today passed a rule banning super-sized drinks at restaurants, concession stands and other eateries.” (Doc A). Individuals in the United States are overweight because they do not know how to limit themselves. If the government were to control one of the main reasons people are obese, then several people would not be overweight because the government would take care of the problem. Banning sugary drinks over 16-ounces would help people lower their sugar intake, which would help people stay in excellent health.

The objection is that all that is needed to prevent any future ailments is for citizens living in high wealth nations to donate their fair share. Through this method, the level of donations needed to prevent any future ailments would be met before anyone had to donate the percentage of income that Singer suggests. Singer agrees that the idea of everyone doing their fair share is noble, and would fix the problem. But, Singer believes that since we know others aren’t doing their fair share, and that it would be difficult to force them, the idea doesn’t work. Given that others aren’t doing their fair share, Singer asks how could we stop at the fair rate, when we know children are dying preventable deaths that could have been stopped had we done more.

In “What You Eat Is Your Business,” Radley Balko tackles the issue of who is responsible for fighting obesity. Balko argues that the controversy of obesity should make the individual consumers culpable for their own health and not the government (467). As health insurers refrain from increasing premiums for obese and overweight patients, there is a decrease in motivation to keep a healthy lifestyle (Balko 467). As a result, Balko claims these manipulations make the public accountable for everyone else 's health rather than their own (467). Balko continues to discuss the ways to fix the issue such as insurance companies penalizing consumers who make unhealthy food choices and rewarding good ones (468).

Americans today are well-known for their eating habits. With all the options the food industry gives us it makes it hard to go to the grocery store and resist picking up that bag of barbeque-flavored chips or blueberry flavored candy. Due to these processed foods obesity is a growing epidemic in our country and who is to blame for it? In an article entitled “What You Eat is Your Business” by Radley Balko, Balko argues for less government intervention. Balko believes is it our responsibility to take care of ourselves and make it a priority.

Children who grow up with permissive parents tend to struggle academically and they may even exhibit behavioral problems for the reason that they will most likely not appreciate authority and

His argue is that, politically, the health care system is becoming more and more socialist. Likewise, our government is too concerned on intervening with our nation’s junk food problem, and should be modeling and encouraging American citizens on personal health, responsibility, and self-awareness. The author feels that “we’re becoming less responsible for our own health, and more responsible for everyone else’s.” (897) Balko seems to hold more credible sources, and being the fact that he is a “self-descried libertarian” (896), he knowledge also helps greatly with his opinion on this topic of

Put Down That Cheeseburger! “What incentive is there for me to put down the cheeseburger?” asks Radley Balko in his article "What You Eat Is Your Business." He argues that, obesity does not belong in the public health crisis. He claims that obesity is not a problem that should be dealt at the cost of public money but should be dealt at a personal level by every individual.

Obesity is a major problem in the United States, and with all the special privileges given to its people, America has become very lazy. With portion sizes rising and physical activity decreasing, it is easy to see how the rates on obesity has risen over the years in America. Obesity is a major problem that needs to be resolved because it affects all people of every gender, age, and race are at risk of being obese. Obesity rates in America have nearly doubled rather tripled within the last twenty years due to the many privileges that the American people have before us. Something must be done to overcome decrease the

Soft paternalism is the use of paternalism to protect people from their own involuntary conduct (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Hard paternalism involves the implementation of interventions with the intent to prevent harm to a person, despite the fact that the person’s risky choices and actions are informed, voluntary, and autonomous. Beauchamp and Childress (2013) address five justifiable reasons to practice hard paternalism: (a) if a patient is at risk of a significant preventable harm, (b) if the paternalistic action will likely prevent harm, (c) if the prevention of harm to the patient outweighs risks to the patient of the action taken, (d) if there is no morally better alternative to the limitation of autonomy that occurs, and, (e) if the least autonomy-restrictive alternative that will secure the benefits is utilized. Examples of paternalism include laws requiring seatbelts, speed limits, proper car seats for infants and children,

Neither the government nor other individuals should intervene to prevent an individual’s doing what he or she wants to do. c. State neutrality is simply the idea that there is no public ranking of the value of the different ways of life. “Neutrality” as endorsed by liberals is limited in scope to (justice-respecting) conceptions of the