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Originally Posted by neverwhere
YOU as a parent have the responsibility of limiting what your kids see, and shaping their views on what they believe to be true. It's time for parents to stop being mad because society is not raising their children the way they want them to be raised.
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Yes, by saying "NO" to big corporations that want to lie to my children on television; I am taking responsibility for shaping my children's views. Taking the opposing viewpoint is and remaining ambivalent, is forfeiting your responsibility to your children and to society as a whole. I love the division you make between "parents" and "society", they are as much a part of the society as everyone else, certainly more so than an abstract entity like a corporation.
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Like it or not, companies have the right to advertise. They need to, it's their lifeline.
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No they do not have a right to advertise in any way they want. We as a society grant corporations the rights we chose to extend them. We don't have to give them any rights whatsoever, they are not citizens, they are constructs which we define. People have been brainwashed into treating corporations as though they are individuals that should enjoy "human" rights, it's a silly model, they are not like us at all.
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I understand limiting marketing of questionable things to children, to a certain extent.
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Too bad, you can't have it both ways. Either they have restrictions on their "rights" or they don't; if you accept that they do, then we as a society get to define those "rights".
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I personally, have NEVER seen Mcdonalds toys advertised on tv.
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That has to be the most incredulous statement so far. Assuming you do own a TV, have you ever watched any children's programming (pbs excluded)?
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Children dont become obese because they see a stupid toy car or something on tv, and then they magically get overfed Mcdonalds. It's up to the parents to bring them there.
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Yep, it's parents who ultimately give in to the begging and whining which was inspired by the promise of the "new" toys, the happy clown, the associated "fun", the "delicious" food. The children who've been barraged by television and their peers to only ever ask for McDonalds, when asked what they'd like to eat. They shouldn't give in, but then they shouldn't have to sit idle and let a giant corporation beguile their children either.
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A once in a while Mcdonalds kid's meal is NOT going to ruin their health or make them obese.
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So, the odd cigarette wouldn't kill them either, what's your point?
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It's up to the parents to set limits.
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Agreed, limits on both their kids consumption and on the companies that would prey on them.
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And Frankly, you are taking my words out of context when you ask how Liverpool is screwed. Please dont twist my quote to make your point sound superior. I have already stated the point is not about how people NEED Mcdonalds or Happy Meals. I am saying they are screwed if their legistlature is chasing Mcdonalds around, waving their fist at them.
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I'm happy for them, they're lucky that their elected officials are working for their constituents against the interests of a corporation.
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Maybe I am a different sort. I dont like government taking control of every little thing, regardless. I want to make my own decisions what and where to eat.
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We aren't talking about them "taking control of every little thing", we are talking about society restricting corporations which hurt the health of children. Anyway, I hope you are a "different sort"; it wouldn't bode well for the future of our society to have too many people that care more about the "rights" of a giant corporation than the well being of their fellow man.
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As for the clemens thing, I cant really comment on British politics, I dont know a lot of their national issues. But to me, it's government going about things in the wrong way, wasting time on silly gestures, when real solutions or problems are being ignored.
It pisses me off when congress wastes their time on idiot Clemens, when maybe they should be worrying about gun laws, unjust wars, etc. So to me, it is sort of the same thing. THAT is truly making the country a safer place for the children. Not banning a .50 dumbass toy from coming with a small fry and shitty nuggets.
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I already agreed on the Clemens thing, and it has nothing to do with this. If banning the use of a "dumbass toy" as an enticement to exploit children, helps make for healthier kids, what would be your objection? Also, go ask how much the "dumbass toy" costs if you don't buy the Happy Meal; it's a lot more than fifty cents. People have speculated that McDonalds actually loses money on some of the Happy Meals, and see it as an investment in longer term brand loyalty - as well as an opportunity to get parents and older kids into the restaurant.
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And why just mcdonalds? Most fast food places have toys and small menus geared for kids. Im hearing nothing about targeting them....
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I agree, like I said, I'd be happy to see all of the advertising of garbage and enticements targeted at children banned. So be it, good riddance, the world will be a much better place for it.