There appears to be a genuine movement – gaining traction – to ban the Happy Meal at my favorite restaurant, McDonald’s. I am incredulous. What’s so happy about a Happy Meal without a race car? Or a plastic princess? Apparently Santa Clara County in California is nixing the little toys that come with the Happy Meal. Says Supervisor Ken Yeager, who sponsored the measure, "This ordinance prevents restaurants from preying on children's' love of toys" to sell high-calorie, unhealthful food.
Personally, I am not with Ken on this. I’m a big fan of the golden arches. Every month or two, I go big – big sandwich, big fries, a massive drink, and even an apple pie (filling HOT!). Now that I have a five year old daughter, it’s a fun treat every now and then for us to hit McDonald’s together, and she really gets a kick out of it. And what’s the harm? She eats fresh, local, healthy food every day at home and school, no desserts, no daily sugary snacks in the house. So is an order of fries going to do us all in? Every now and then I also have a big cigar, and seriously tie one on. I’m not alone in this pattern of destructive and unacceptable behavior, according to the folks in California. Apparently, McDonald’s is pulling people off the streets in Santa Clara County and forcing Happy Meals down the throats of unsuspecting vegans, causing them and their children to balloon to the size of small manatees. For shame.
Must we, as a nation, suck the fun out of everything?
I have a better idea. Let’s just all agree that we are a country whose collective IQ nearly achieves room temperature on a good day, and re-sign with the Queen. We can no longer control ourselves, much less our children. Adult supervision is required, again.
Good grief, America. Get a hold of yourself.
(NOT moving to Santa Clara County any time soon)
Personally, I am not with Ken on this. I’m a big fan of the golden arches. Every month or two, I go big – big sandwich, big fries, a massive drink, and even an apple pie (filling HOT!). Now that I have a five year old daughter, it’s a fun treat every now and then for us to hit McDonald’s together, and she really gets a kick out of it. And what’s the harm? She eats fresh, local, healthy food every day at home and school, no desserts, no daily sugary snacks in the house. So is an order of fries going to do us all in? Every now and then I also have a big cigar, and seriously tie one on. I’m not alone in this pattern of destructive and unacceptable behavior, according to the folks in California. Apparently, McDonald’s is pulling people off the streets in Santa Clara County and forcing Happy Meals down the throats of unsuspecting vegans, causing them and their children to balloon to the size of small manatees. For shame.
Must we, as a nation, suck the fun out of everything?
I have a better idea. Let’s just all agree that we are a country whose collective IQ nearly achieves room temperature on a good day, and re-sign with the Queen. We can no longer control ourselves, much less our children. Adult supervision is required, again.
Good grief, America. Get a hold of yourself.
(NOT moving to Santa Clara County any time soon)
As a society we seem to have abdicated our ability to make rational choices.
ReplyDeleteLong live the Happy Meal!
Signed,
A long time consumer of the 2 Big Macs for $2