>>>>I blame the parents.
>>>>
>>>>It's not about blame. It's about freedom. Who is the government to try to control what we eat? As the government gets more intrusive, our freedom shrinks.
>>>
>>>That would be fine and dandy if medical costs for treating obesity and all of its related medical issues was limited to the Quad-Burger-with-cheese-fries buyers themselves. If you have an overweight or obese kid and you take them to McDs, BK, etc..., i will certainly blame them for celebrating their freedom.
>>
>>Thank you for perfectly illustrating my point from Message #1519357.
>>When government controls the levers of health care spending, then they are unlimited in their ability to tell us how to live our lives, after all, whatever we put in or do with our bodies may cost them money.
>
>For one, i humbly submit that you are not being honest with yourself. If you saw parents taking their overweight kids into one of these restaurants, i have a feeling that you would not praise them for their freedom-flexing purchasing power. Instead, i suspect that you would question their dining choice.

I give them no thought whatsoever. It's none of my business.

>Secondly, the "taking consumers choices away!" charge noted in your original post -- because McD's is adding apple slices to happy meals -- sounds rather shrill.

The article pointed to a specific choice that is currently available which is being removed.
effectively taking away consumers' current choice between either having apples with caramel dip or fries as a Happy Meal side.

>Perhaps the parents can supersize their own fry order to cover the difference.

There is no perhaps, this is exacly what will happen. In addition, examples like this are why McDonalds is one of the most successful corporations in history. They adapt, overcome and make even more profit. ;)

>Third, is there currently a govt food police that is prohibiting people from buying junk, or is this a preemptive outrage?

Yes. See transfats.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16051436/

>Lastly, i would have thought that Ayn Randian peeps would not appreciate having their own medical care costs go up as a result of poor and costly habits of others.

Freedom means allowing people to make their choices regardless of your opinion. This is why believers in liberty want the public sector out of health care.