Sometimes the only thing we do to avoid success is refuse to be energetic on our own behalf. – Barbara Sher in her book "I could do anything if only I knew what it was"
Expert Mother tongue: English Posts: 1807 Joined: February 1, 2008 Location: United States
RE: America, America...
Which is fine. I am all in favor of spending one's money where one wants. But there is a tendency now in America to try to coerce people and ban things that one does not like. Witness New York city, with its transfat ban. Instead of convincing people to do a certain thing, one simply bans it (all the while, patting oneself on the back for being so tolerant). I tend to be libertarian on most social issues, which means that I prefer to convince people, rather than coerce them. Unfortunately in America, we have many authoritarians on the right and left who want to coerce us into behaving in ways that they have deemed - for us - to be good.
[Edited by John Bunch on November 17, 2009 12:29 PM]
Expert Mother tongue: Spanish Posts: 4572 Joined: May 9, 2003 Location: United States
RE: America, America...
Originally written by John Bunch on November 16, 2009 9:46 PM
There is a hamburger chain called "In-N-Out Burger". It is hugely popular with progressives and richer people, and with Hollywood stars. They love it, but at the same time, they vilify McDonalds. So the lesson is clear: expensive food is o.k., but cheap food is not ok.
Though I am a nutrition-oriented person, regularly eat fish but refuse to eat red meats or poultry, I cannot resist (shame on me!) an "In-N-Out Burger" meal. I didn't know it was more expensive than Mc Donald's. The times I have been to "In-N-Out" I don't recall paying more than 5 bucks for a burger.
On a side note, one time I ordered a meal to go, the guys at "In-N-out burger" gave me the usual bag plus a nice, big, red tray. I tried to give them the tray back and they told me I could take it. Still have it.
Bertha
[Edited by Bertha S. Deffenbaugh on November 17, 2009 1:33 PM]
Expert Mother tongue: Spanish Posts: 4572 Joined: May 9, 2003 Location: United States
RE: America, America...
Originally written by John Bunch on November 17, 2009 9:28 PM
Witness New York city, with its transfat ban. Instead of convincing people to do a certain thing, one simply bans it (all the while, patting oneself on the back for being so tolerant).
How long would it take to "convince" people to stay away from transfats? By the time they were convinced, they might all be dead as well.
Certain things have to be banned. In my home country, for instance, authorities spent years trying to "convince" people not to smoke in public places to no avail. I remember seeing a guy smoking while leaning against a huge NO-Smoking sign. Three or four years ago, the president (who is an oncologist) simply banned cigarette smoking. If someone is caught, say, smoking inside a restaurant, both the restaurant and the smoker are fined and the smoker is ordered to leave the place.
Bertha
[Edited by Bertha S. Deffenbaugh on November 17, 2009 1:37 PM]
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