The increase in obesity in America isn't due to a lack of information, everyone knows that too many fried foods make you fat for example. I've never heard anyone of any age claim that Double Whoppers with cheese are good for you. But that doesn't stop meddling busybodies like State Assemblyman Felix Ortolano from trying to insist that menu nutritional information and a dash of nanny-state legislation will help to control it.
Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, D-Brooklyn, has introduced legislation modeled on a recent move by New York City that calls for banning trans-fat products in chain restaurants throughout the state.
The measure also would require restaurants to post nutritional information, such as calorie, fat and sodium content, on menu items.
"We need to provide all New Yorkers with the opportunity to eat healthier foods and to be able to see exactly what the nutritional value is of the food that they are eating," Ortiz said.
New York state faces a slew of problems, but obesity is one better left up to its citizens. We all know we need to take off a few pounds and we know how to do it. Even the young and the poor know -- and they won't bother to read the nutritional information anyway. It's all a waste of taxpayers' time and money and Mr. Ortiz might better focus on diversifying New York City's economic base and breaking the stranglehold the teachers' unions have on their schools.
That's what he was elected to do, not to serve as state mommy in a suit and tie telling us what we may eat for dinner.
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