Obesity - How the Government Must Lead

Lot's of stuff on obesity lately, including this one from the BBC.

I'm always amazed how many people think that it's the government's problem first and foremost, and want all sorts of actions that deprive/tax/annoy people who are not obese. Is this really the sort of state we want? The government cannot regulate away obesity, and in fact its efforts, however well-intentioned, will just increase it. When the state's actions are seen as an alternative to personal responsibility, is it any wonder people get lazy?

Anyway, here's my suggestion on how the government could lead on this one:

Fire that fat, and useless John Prescott!

That would send a message.