Friday, November 5, 2010

An Open Letter to the City of San Francisco

Dear San Francisco,

Let the kids have their fucking toys.

Yes, I know that America is in the middle of an obesity epidemic. Yes, I know letting a kid have a Happy Meal is worse than letting them eat a tub of frosting. However, I also know that, as a parent, I have a right to feed my kid shit. Oh, and I also know that the toy is never what influences the decision.

When I stop at McDonalds to buy a Happy Meal for my kid or any other kid who happens to be in my car it has nothing to do with the toy. It has to do with the fact food comes quickly, I know they will eat it, and there is often a playground on the premises. If any of the "slow food," "whole grain" restaurants met those criteria, and didn't look at children like they are vermin, we would go there. And the toys you claim are so tempting? Usually they end up in the recycling bin after sitting in my car for two weeks. Really, they suck.

Now, I am sure you are thinking I am a Tea Party joining, NRA card toting conservative. I'm not. I like big government. I like government that wants to take care of people. I just don't think it should mandate it. Making sure everyone has health insurance? Yes. Forcing everyone to get a colonoscopy? Nope. Offering help to the homeless? Yep. Forcing them to take it? Nope. It's kind of like feeding my kid. I offer her the best food possible. I can't make her eat it. You should have seen how she scraped butternut squash ravioli off her tongue. She also feels that way about chicken nuggets.

Further, do you know how douchey this whole thing makes you look? There are bigger issues to focus on right now -- like civil rights for everyone. Keep your eyes on the prize.

Thanks,

Libby

18 comments:

Riot Kitty said...

Amen, sister! I wrote a post about this a few months ago when my home county passed something similar.

Ali said...

Love it!

ShaLyse Walker said...

Amen sister!!!

Jen said...

I <3 you. Recently in a restaurant that served healthier options, at 3in the afternoon, a couple asked to be moved rather than sit next to my child. Seriously? I was there during the family timeframe. Children are not vermin.

Kelly said...

My kid is the one who will eat the apples from the Happy Meal and that is all. No fries, no nuggets, no cheeseburgers, just the apples. With milk of all things, not even chocolate milk. Now if I could just convince her to eat a vegtable every now and then...

BugginWord said...

"There are bigger issues to focus on right now -- like civil rights for everyone."

*fist bumps*

Amanda said...

Great letter Lib!

MJenks said...

"and didn't look at children like they are vermin"

I see you've tried dining in Chapel Hill.

Anonymous said...

You know, I didn't really know what to think of this......but you do make a very good point. The kids play with those toys for about 5 seconds and these days they are such cheap pieces of crap, they are broken or forgotten in about 10 minutes. My kids like the apple dippers better.

And.....you know.....this doesn't change the fact that McDs and the like still MARKET to children. Now the kids in SF and just gonna be pissed. But still want McDonalds.


Oh and when I come visit, I'm totally hugging you in a Starbucks.

Anonymous said...

I'm one of those instant gratification junkies that would fall apart at the seams without the gentle comfort of knowing that somewhere within a five mile radius there is a McDonalds drive through to fall back on.
I try with the healty,really I do but sometimes there is a wonderful warm feeling while you watch your kid wolf down crap.
Agreed on the toys. They lure mine in but more often than not end up on the floor of the car.

Anonymous said...

We totally go for the toys. But don't worry -- my kids balance it out by never eating any of the food. It's like a drive through toy store in my house. And that's the kids' favorite toys. Sigh....

Unknown said...

My kids would lick the grease out of the fry bin at McDonalds. That's how much they love it. You know what? That's okay. They don't eat it every day. It's a treat to them, and part of the fun is the fucking toys, albeit those toys are worthless as hell. Life is too short to not enjoy fattening foods. Everyone needs to calm the fuck down regarding the kids. Is it me, or do they always approach children issues the absolute incorrect way each time?

rcd2 said...

yeah our mcdonald's aren't like that. they're hard to find even. however you can find a plethora of alternatives that do cater to children at many levels of income. it's the difference of living in a socialist leaning city and the rest of the country.

Little Girl::Big Glasses said...

BRAVO!!!!

Unknown said...

You should seriously send that letter! Did you? Well said, well said.

My kids had McDonald's today and they were super happy about their prize...for about 5 minutes. It's probably broken & lost already.

Anonymous said...

Only the skinny kids deserve toys.

The fat kids' meals should come with P90X dvds.

Patty O. said...

I completely agree! Well said.

LTYM said...

I'm going to steal Jules' comment and pretend I said it first.