| Progressive or Punishing? Ken Yeager, the Santa | | | | she made otherwise. She made that decision and |
| Clara County Supervisor in California, is presenting a | | | | since she had the money and the driver's license, we |
| law today at the county board meeting to ban toys | | | | obeyed. When we did get a Happy Meal, guess |
| given away with unhealthy food, including Happy Meal | | | | where all our toys ended up a day later? In a big red |
| toys. He believes the toys encourage children to eat | | | | basket in our basement. |
| fatty foods. | | | | I truly don't think the toys are the problem, although |
| Now, childhood obesity is a serious problem that | | | | McDonald's could use the money they spend on |
| needs to be addressed, but the kids aren't the ones | | | | making toys to make higher quality food. If your child |
| buying the Happy Meal. Their parents are. If you | | | | really wants the toy, just buy them the toy and put |
| don't want your child to eat junk, then don't | | | | it in a bag with a much healthier lunch to encourage |
| purchase it. There is a lot of complaining about unfair | | | | them to eat what you want them to eat. I bet they'll |
| marketing to children, thus putting buying pressure on | | | | be just as happy. And if you don't want to buy it, |
| the parents, but parents seem to forget they are | | | | don't worry; Your child will be over that cheap, plastic |
| the ones with the money. And most importantly, the | | | | toy in a hot minute. Take them outside, and I they |
| control. I remember watching hours and hours of | | | | will forget all about it. In McDonald's defense, though, |
| commercials and then begging my mom for | | | | they do offer healthier options for kids in their Happy |
| whichever new toy the TV said I "had to have." But | | | | Meals. You now can get milk and apple dippers |
| guess what my mom said, more often than not? | | | | instead of a Coke and French fries. |
| "No." And guess what? I turned out fine and not | | | | Taking away toys is only going to mask the problem. |
| overindulged and obese like some children today. I | | | | The county should focus its energy on creating |
| had many a Chicken McNugget meal in my childhood, | | | | healthier school lunches for their children and |
| but my mom made it clear that McDonald's was for | | | | educating them about eating healthy. |
| special occasions or traveling. We were to eat what | | | | |