NEWSFLASH: McDonald’s existed back when I was a kid
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We could do a duet! I have the words to the McDonald's song forever emblazoned in my mind, too! At the risk of being tarred and feathered along with you, I have to say I agree. I've been around for 53 years, and I see a real change in most people's mindsets -" who can I blame for the problems in my life." I'm also not trying to be mean - just honest. And I'll admit sometimes I'm that way, too, though I don't want to be. We had McDonald's and other places when I was a kid, but they were a RARE treat! In fact, eating out period was a rare treat. I remember going out for dinner on my birthday once a year, and there was a Hardee's or something like that in upstate New York which we passed on our 8-hour ride to Oswego to visit friends, and stopping there was the ultimate treat of the summer! Not only did we get burgers and fries, but chocolate shakes!!! That was twice a year - once going up, and once returning home. Again, I'm not accusing anyone, but I think fast food has replaced homemade food in a lot of instances. What was once a "treat" is now an almost daily occurrence. And the majority of kids don't get the kind of exercise we did. Our parents yelled at us to go out and play. I rode my bike, jump-roped - did all kinds of things, including walking to and from school. (no, not 5 miles uphill in a snowstorm!!!!) I need a crowbar to get my teenage son out of his room and away from his xBox!! We weren't allowed to sit inside and do "nothing"!!! It's funny how all the advances in technology and "conveniences" seem to have made us more frazzled and out of time! You're correct, too - if we overeat, it was OUR OWN decision to do so. There IS no one else to blame. Guess it's time to grow up and accept responsibility for our choices! Again, no meanness intended, and if you have metabolic issues, that's a whole other story. I think we need to be more aware of the decisions we make regarding food and exercise.0
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Exactly this ^^^They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.0 -
I think maybe you don't enjoy critically looking at problems. Which is fine, but McDonalds is part of the cheap fast food that is making people obese - it's unhealthy food that is cheap. They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap. Yes, McDonalds existed when you were a kid. People became more and more obese during your lifetime so far.
Your comments about the Occupy Wall Street movements are similar.
It's possible to lose weight, but there's no known cure for conservatism/libertarianism/whatever it is that stops you seeing things in context. As Stephen Colbert pointed out, "Reality has a well-known liberal bias."
Nobody forces you to eat fast food. Just saying
No, they don't force me. I don't eat fast food often, but when people are busy and they need access to a cheap meal, they go to places like McDonalds and other places. It's not a crime to want a cheap lunch. The places that purport to serve food have a responsibility to the people they serve.
Yes, everybody could pack their own lunch and all the restaurants could close down during lunch hour. But many people, many working people, eat out. The places where they eat should take some responsibility not to serve heavily processed, terrible food.
Companies have some responsibility to consumers. For example, they can't poison you. The next step is to ask them not to serve ridiculously processed crap to people. No, people don't have to eat it, but removing responsibility from the company is ridiculous. Or, to put it another way, Republican.
The OP apparently considers that the Occupy Wall Street movement "blamed big corporations for their plight in life and thus decided to go on a rampage to destroy private property." A complete lack of social consciousness.
It's not a crime to eat food out. Restaurants should serve reasonable food. It's not the 19th Century, 'buyer beware'.
Also, when kids go out, a lot of them go to places like this because it fits with their pocket money. McDonalds very directly marketed towards children, though I take the point of the poster above who says that it's less so today.
Could you enlighten me as to why you feel that McDonalds/Corporations bear more responsibility to me than I do for myself? Be specific.0 -
(I know some may be offended by this post since it is a very sensitive subject, but no offense or disrespect was intended)
There is an article in the Lexington Herald Leader about a local mom who, in my opinion, is hammering the McDonald’s corporation. She is comparing Ronald McDonald to Joe Camel (Camel Cigarettes) and again, in my opinion, making McDonald’s the scapegoat for overweight kids. Has anyone ever considered that maybe the reason we have so many overweight children is because we have so many overweight parents? McDonald’s existed when I was a kid. McDonald’s advertisement was very active when I was a kid. In the spur of the moment I can still rattle off the Big Mac song: “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame bun.” No, I did not Google the song and haven’t heard the commercial in 30 or 40 some years. A Big Mac has 550 calories (I did Google that.) And Newsflash: In grade school we had one or two kids that would be considered obese and I personally knew of maybe a couple of parents that were quite overweight. In Jr. High (now Middle School) and High School the numbers went up, but nothing compared to the obesity problem we see in America today.
Adults and children are not overweight because of a silly looking clown and super sizing meals. They are overweight because they consume too many calories and are too inactive in their lives. What I really think is going on here is the Blame Game, people not taking personal responsibility for themselves. Last year it was the Wall Street Movement who blamed big corporations for their plight in life and thus decided to go on a rampage to destroy private property. It’s the Democrat Party’s fault our country is in such turmoil, says the Republicans, or is it the other way around? Last night I overdid it on Domino’s Pizza and will have to either eat less today or exercise a little more to make up for it. Whose fault was it that I ate too much last night: Domino’s Pizza or the fact that they have delivery service? Or should I blame my wife since she ordered the pizza on a whim? I’m not stupid, no way am I going to blame her.
Maybe it’s time we started up an AA group, you know, and call it Adult’s Anonymous. And I’ll begin. “Hi, I’m Ernie and I’m an adult responsible for my own behavior and actions.”
THE BLAME GAME:
I can’t help losing my temper, nor control my appetite.
I get so mad at mom and dad and blame them for my plight.
I may not be successful, I’m a failure, yes, it’s true.
But if society has taught me anything, it’s all because of you.
If only my spouse would listen, if only my spouse would change,
If only the world would accommodate me, is that so terribly strange?
If only this, if only that, if only you could see,
I’m not selfish or self-centered, I just want you to please me.
So I went to see my psychiatrist, to see what she would say,
To find the reason why so many folks just don’t see things my way.
The secret, she said, is simple, why you’re always under assault.
It has nothing to do with you, it’s true, it’s always someone else’s fault.
So now my friend, before I end, before I cease to complain,
Before you start pointing the finger and think that I am vain.
The answer is so obvious, and I think it’s time you knew,
I now know why I’m so miserable, it’s all because of you
The naive believes everything, But the sensible person considers his/her steps.
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They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.
Good for you!
I'm not saying people don't have a personal responsibility. I'm saying that if people go there, and take their children there, the food should be less processed and less calorie-laden. Have you actually researched into what is in their food?
WTF are you talking about? There are less calorific options on the menu IF PEOPLE CHOOSE, and the food isn't any more "processed" than any other food. :huh: :noway:
... Do some research. People have made whole documentaries!0 -
BRAVO OP!!!!
Whatever happened to people taking responsibility for their situation? In this case we are responsible for what we put into our bodies. We have a choice and no one if forcing them to eat those super sized meals. You can eat cheaply at MCD or any other fast food restaurant and stay within and below your calories.
We as Americans always want to place the blame for our issues on someone or something else when we sometimes need ot simply look in the mirror. And before anyone jumps on me, I know there are cases where there are definitely outside causes for the situations we find ourselves in. This is not one of those cases though.
Exactly. Don't blame the spoon for that empty tub of ice cream. And don't blame Ben or Jerry. Blame he who wields the spoon.0 -
I love this post- it is all true. people need to take responsibility for themselves.0
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I think maybe you don't enjoy critically looking at problems. Which is fine, but McDonalds is part of the cheap fast food that is making people obese - it's unhealthy food that is cheap. They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap. Yes, McDonalds existed when you were a kid. People became more and more obese during your lifetime so far.
Your comments about the Occupy Wall Street movements are similar.
It's possible to lose weight, but there's no known cure for conservatism/libertarianism/whatever it is that stops you seeing things in context. As Stephen Colbert pointed out, "Reality has a well-known liberal bias."
But if McD's customers didn't WANT that food they wouldn't serve it!
The only reason they make burgers and fries like that is because CUSTOMERS WANT IT!
I think another big change in our lifestyle is partially to blame for the obesity epidemic - ELECTRONICS!
I'm 51 and when I grew up we didn't have Video Games, Home PC's, and the internet.
We were TOLD TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY.
I didn't have a car till I was 18 or older, so I either WALKED or BICYCLED to go places.
I got off my BUTT AND MOVED!
I live in a small community (subdivision) where the entrance is less than a mile from the furthest house and yet the parents all park their cars at the entrance to pick up there spoiled little brats from the Junior High and High school busses!
Their poor kids can't be expected to walk a few hundred yards to their houses - and it's always the same cars doing it!
It is a learned behavior - so now the kids DEMAND to not walk anywhere!
It's this lack of exercise and easily obtainable crappy food that is doing it - and NOBODY IS FORCING THEM TO EAT IT!
I'm 51 and FAT - and it is MY FAULT - because I at loads of Pizza, McDonalds, Wendy's, etc when I got out of the Air Force.
And I do NOT blame McDonalds, Wendy's, and other fast food places I BLAME MYSELF!
Its time that Americans quit passing the buck and take the blame individually!!
Dave
Werd.....0 -
... Do some research. People have made whole documentaries!
To be fair...docs are mostly utter BS.0 -
They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.
Good for you!
I'm not saying people don't have a personal responsibility. I'm saying that if people go there, and take their children there, the food should be less processed and less calorie-laden. Have you actually researched into what is in their food?
You want McDonald's to make less processed and less calorie-laden food? Why not just stay away from McDonald's? If a parent feels strongly about this, then they shouldn't make McD's their choice of restaurant.
Taking personal responsibility means you make choices for your life that reflect your beliefs. It will never mean the world around you must conform to your ideals.0 -
They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.
Good for you!
I'm not saying people don't have a personal responsibility. I'm saying that if people go there, and take their children there, the food should be less processed and less calorie-laden. Have you actually researched into what is in their food?
WTF are you talking about? There are less calorific options on the menu IF PEOPLE CHOOSE, and the food isn't any more "processed" than any other food. :huh: :noway:
... Do some research. People have made whole documentaries!
So you really believe everything that you read or hear?
Did you ever consider that a documentary director might twist a story to make it more sensationalistic so that people will actually want to watch it?
Because documentaries aren't generally what the film-watching consumer pays to see, you know... They have to do something to get the audience's attention.0 -
Great OP!!0
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On a sesame SEED bun.0
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I'm in love with that little ditty at the end. Great post OP!
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Actually, McDonalds in some countries do serve cheap and rather good salad, I'll say that for them. Customers have been kicking back. But they still have a responsibility to not make such heavily processed food, and customers should show them that by refusing to buy the more calorific products.
No. No. NO!
They are a business. They don't have any responsibility to do anything other than provide the product the customer wants. The customer shows McDonalds what they want every day by lining up in their millions to buy greasy fatty food.
McDonalds ignoring their customers and trying to sell carrot sticks or whatever would create some difficult answers for the shareholders.
You go to the store and buy health food if you want health food. If you want something greasy you go to fast food.
Don't blame anyone but yourself for what you choose to buy and consume...and especially feed to children.
Exactly, the nutrition information has been out there for years......so tired of the blame game \m/0 -
Hmmm.. yes.. eating too many calories does cause a person to gain weight. But how do you counter those calories? By getting off the couch and moving! THAT is where I think things are wrong today. In my youth we played outside.. the neighborhood was filled with children playing in their yards, riding bikes, etc.. we were active, we were outside, we were moving!!! Now a days.. I drive around neighborhoods and you hardly see any kids outside playing... playgrounds are empty. Why? Computer games? Television? It's a balance. You can eat the McDonalds, you can eat the ice cream, the potato chips, but you must balance it with ACTION and MOVEMENT! And that is what is missing. Today's youth wants to play their video games, watch their tvs, lay around and do nothing.. that is where the obesity issue is coming from... in my opinion.. which is just that.. my opinion...0
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I ate McDonalds and Whataburger SO MUCH as a kid. So. Much. My parents cooked as much as possible, but sometimes they just didn't feel like it, or we'd go on vacations, whatever.
The difference? I played outside. Every. Day. I stayed active as a kid. That's the difference. Kids aren't doing crap these days but staying on social media and playing video games.
Now as an adult, I know that if I still want to continue to eat those (high calorie) things. I STILL have to stay active.
People aren't active. They're eating it and then sitting around.0 -
Could you enlighten me as to why you feel that McDonalds/Corporations bear more responsibility to me than I do for myself? Be specific.
... Well, for the first part of my specific answer, I'll have to ask you to review your reading comprehension skills. Specifically, how did you get the impression from what I said that I thought McDonalds should bear more responsibility for you than you yourself do?
What I said is that when restaurants serve food, however cheap it is, they bear some responsibility to their customers not to serve them crap. Yes, people can do nutritional research and learn to stay away from their cooked food and stick to salads. But you know what? Some kids don't know. And adults who are too busy to think their food is terrible for them, they may not know.
Not everybody has studied nutrition. People don't expect their food to be processed, calorie-laden crap, they just want lunch. McDonalds take advantage of people not knowing.0 -
They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.
Good for you!
I'm not saying people don't have a personal responsibility. I'm saying that if people go there, and take their children there, the food should be less processed and less calorie-laden. Have you actually researched into what is in their food?
Most McDonalds restaurants have huge play areas for the kids. My kids probably burn more calories playing there than they get from eating their happy meals. How many calories are there in 4 chicken nuggets (one of which you can guarantee will end up being dropped on the floor) and that tiny tiny packet of french fries? And the happy meal drinks are tiny.
They go there once a week if that (some weeks they have other treats rather than McDonalds) and the rest of the time they have home cooked food.
A trip to the cinema IMO is more obesity-inducing, because they sit still for the duration of the film and my kids inevitably want either popcorn or frozen yoghurt to eat while they watch the film. They have the small sized ones, because they're small. But I still think the calories in v calories out is better at McDonalds because of the time they spend in the play area running around. But all these things are fine in moderation... I don't see it as anything to make a big fuss about or prevent the kids having fun or seeing age-appropriate movies that they want to see.0 -
They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.
Good for you!
I'm not saying people don't have a personal responsibility. I'm saying that if people go there, and take their children there, the food should be less processed and less calorie-laden. Have you actually researched into what is in their food?
WTF are you talking about? There are less calorific options on the menu IF PEOPLE CHOOSE, and the food isn't any more "processed" than any other food. :huh: :noway:
... Do some research. People have made whole documentaries!
Oh noes whole documentaries???
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Point well made! I grew up with McDonalds and the others as well... It was a treat to get it... Back in the day... we played outside all day, we had no video games cell phones etc.
Granted it's cheap and it's fast but really???? Everyday I walk through the lunch room at work... the same people day after day after day eating the same thing... Not only McDonalds, but Hardess, Sonic, Wendy's Arby's.... Yep, most of them are over weight...
I eat the same thing pretty much everyday as well, but I choose to make my own salad or sandwich or whatever leftovers are available... Yep I have a few extra pounds... I work out regualry in the cooler months, less regularly in the warmer months because I'd rather be outside working in the garden or yard etc.
Just saying......0 -
Yes to this! Choices everyone! Indulging in fast food is a choice.
McD's was around when I was a kid, but as the OP said, it was rarely and it was a treat.
The other difference is we played OUTSIDE. Our parents would say, "Are you bored? I can find something for you to do." And we'd get our skinny *kitten* outside and ride our bikes, play softball, kickball, run around, walk everywhere. It was very different. Our parents NEVER knew where we were, but you were expected to show up at home at check in times. Noon and dinner time.
I'm sad for all the kids staring at some kind of screen all day long. I'm sad when I see babies "swiping" on a tablet. WTF anyway??0 -
When I was a kid (in the 60s) hardly any kids were obese, and if you were overweight at all you could be teased about being "fat" because the pickings were slim, but the obese kids got it the worst.
The parents, on the other hand...I remember lots of obese parents, conservatively I would say when I saw my schoolmates parents, it had to be around 40%, it was common for the parents to be obese, my Mom was obese and my Dad was not, but my Mom lived a lot longer than my Dad.0 -
I actually had McDonald's for breakfast. 616 calories of deliciousness! I'll have all 616 calories burned off by the end of the day.0
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No, they don't force me. I don't eat fast food often, but when people are busy and they need access to a cheap meal, they go to places like McDonalds and other places. It's not a crime to want a cheap lunch. The places that purport to serve food have a responsibility to the people they serve.
Yes, everybody could pack their own lunch and all the restaurants could close down during lunch hour. But many people, many working people, eat out. The places where they eat should take some responsibility not to serve heavily processed, terrible food.
Companies have some responsibility to consumers. For example, they can't poison you. The next step is to ask them not to serve ridiculously processed crap to people. No, people don't have to eat it, but removing responsibility from the company is ridiculous. Or, to put it another way, Republican.
It's not a crime to eat food out. Restaurants should serve reasonable food. It's not the 19th Century, 'buyer beware'.
Wow. So many wows I can't get over it. This will not end well.
1. No one NEEDS access to CHEAP or FAST food. It is a convenience pure and simple.
2. For food to be so CHEAP and FAST it HAS TO BE grossly overprocess and mass produced. Think widgets.
3. Comparing not poisoning people to providing wholly nutritious options is a far far stretch. Funnel cakes at the fair are neither nutritous nor poison. Are we going to picket them? They don't have a RESPONSIBILITY to make nutritous deep fried batter. In fact an entrepeneur would say they have the RESPONSIBILITY to please their clients and sell them exactly what they want.
The OP hit the nail on the head. Don't blame (insert corporate megamonster here) for making what people want. Go ahead and eat out. Get a minimally processed grilled chicken breast cooked from fresh with a side of rice and green beans. DO NOT expect it get it in under 90 seconds. Could you do it at home? Could you do it for $3.99? No one has the right to expect that espeically with the current push to force these demons of corporate greed (/sarcasm) to pay said fast food workers $15/hour. How much you think your HEALTHY FAST CHEAP food will cost then?0 -
I dont understand how anyone could become fat from McDonalds, that stuff tastes like ****.
The thought of eating enough of it to put on weight makes me shudder :sick:0 -
They do have some duty towards their customers not to feed them crap.
McDonald's has no more duty to "not feed them crap" than a bakery has a duty not to sell cupcakes, or a grocery store has to not sell candy bars. And McDonald's food doesn't make people fat -- overeating makes people fat. Someone can enjoy an occasional Big Mac and fries (if they like that stuff) and still be fit. I take my kids to McDonald's every once in a while for ice cream, and you know what I order? Nothing. And nobody in the restaurant tries to "feed me" anything. Health and fitness are about personal choices and personal responsibility.
Good for you!
I'm not saying people don't have a personal responsibility. I'm saying that if people go there, and take their children there, the food should be less processed and less calorie-laden. Have you actually researched into what is in their food?
WTF are you talking about? There are less calorific options on the menu IF PEOPLE CHOOSE, and the food isn't any more "processed" than any other food. :huh: :noway:
... Do some research. People have made whole documentaries!
Oh noes whole documentaries???
I'm gonna go get an Egg McMuffin and a Hash brown. You want anything?0 -
Actually I regularly eat McDonald's- a poor late student walking/biking to school is gonna get some breakfast since they're already late. IMO, it's all based on what you eat and how much. McDonalds or gourmet salads. I get the parfait for breakfast- it's cheap, easy, pretty healthy, quick, and oh yeah- from McDonalds.
It's all up to the customer; McDonalds has options and variety. But people *choose* to have a Big Mac with extra cheese and added bacon twice a day instead of something a bit less greasy and loaded in crap and it's McDonalds' job to provide that. If people wanted more healthy food from fast foods, I could ask for my the new healthy foods without being told that was cancelled due to "no one buying it".0 -
Great post OP!! Thank you!0
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