In-N-Out

According to a recent study, a local zoning ordinance that restricts new fast-food restaurants in one of the poorest sections of Los Angeles failed to lower obesity levels.

Of course it didn't.  The people in these areas (and everyone else in America)--before and after the study--can pretty much get whatever food they want.  No one was forcing fast food on them before, and no one plans to open a new fast food restaurant unless they think there's a market.  These same people can also eat healthfully if they choose--and no doubt many do--even though politicians seems to think they're children whose lives are controlled by corporations like McDonald's (but not Whole Foods).

Needless to say, it doesn't matter if the plan seems to be working or not.  The politicians know they have good intentions so they'll keep at it:

"We never said this ordinance was the silver bullet" to solving the obesity problem, said Gwen Flynn of the Community Health Councils. "As long as we can make sure people have more options, that's the important thing."

City Councilman Bernard Parks, who supported the zoning law, said he was hopeful that the area can attract more markets selling fresh food.

 

Let me see if I've got this straight, Gwen.  You want more options, so you're restricting what's available.  At least Bernard Parks is a bit more open about his methods.  He wants less competition so markets can open for fresh food.  But if there was a market for fresh food, it would already be selling in these areas (as it was, actually)--restricting competition would only allow them to raise their prices. (I'm allowing "fresh food" to stand in for healthy food.  Fast food places can sell fresh food, and just because food is fresh doesn't mean it's healthy.)

Let's face it, the trouble with the ordinance is it still left people free to run their own lives.  Next time I suggest politicians lock them in cages and only feed them salad. Or they could let people decide what they want to eat for themselves.  I realize we can't allow choice in everything, like education, but can't we allow what they put in their mouths to be their own business?