You hit the nail on the head my FRiend.
Forget King Bloomberg for a second (he’s not a Democrat, Republican, liberal...he is just a free lance dictator who is exacting revenge on his former tormentors when he was a two pack a day smoker)
Look at the NYC Health Czar Thomas Frieden. NYC spends 33% of their budget on Medicare and Medicaid costs. If they don’t get this under control, the city will go so broke in 10 years as the baby boomers age, that the 70’s fiscal crisis will look like the glory days.
Why else do you suppose they are trying so hard to reduce the DEMAND for health care by coercing the sheeple to quit smoking, eat right and excercise?
Does anyone here really thing they give a crap if Bob from the Bronx or Mary from Manhattan drops dead? No.
They are petrified at the monetary costs of health care to treat chronic diseases like diabetes.
Aren't they going about it the wrong way? To cut health costs, they should enforce smoking: Smokers die about, what - 8? years younger, and those are expensive years health-wise. Smokers also have shorter final illnesses, and it's the final illness that's most expensive.
The only thing I disagree with Eric is that the things you name (eating right, quit smoking, and exercise) are things every responsible individual should take an active part in so that he/she lives the very best life he/she is able. Not everyone is blessed with good genes; some people work in very sick/unhealthy environments (think miners, printers, etc.) and they should WANT to take care of their bodies. I don’t mind the government promoting wellness at all. I think it’s in everyone’s best interest, not to mention the people who love and/or depend on you who have a vested interest in your health.
I am frightened at how the government could eventually deny people health for all sorts of reasons, including their own bad decisions. It’s time people started being accountable and intellectually honest about their own participation in ruining their health. Some things we cannot control, but some things we can and choosing what to put into my body remains completely within my power at this point. I try to make intelligent decisions because, well, frankly, I think I’m WORTH it.