House prepares for ‘cheeseburger bill'
by Judy Holland, Helena Independent Record

WASHINGTON - Congress is poised to tell fat Americans: You are what you eat and that's your fault - you can't blame the fast-food industry.

The issue of obesity will loom larger than life on Capitol Hill this week with the House expected to approve the so-called "cheeseburger bill," which would prevent Americans from suing fast-food giants such as McDonald's for making them overweight.

Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla., the sponsor of the "cheeseburger bill," who represents Orlando - a fast-food Mecca - said this nation has "got to get away from this new culture where people always try to play the victim and blame others for their problems."

Keller, a stout man who says he eats at McDonald's once every two weeks, said that "litigation against the food industry is not going to make a single individual any skinnier. It will only make the trial attorneys' bank accounts fatter."

Keller stresses that his bill would shield the food industry only from obesity-related claims, leaving it liable for judgments on tainted food or providing misleading information about products.

The debate is all about "personal responsibility," said House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

"It's hard to believe that trial lawyers want to make the claim that ‘Ronald McDonald made me do it.' If you eat too much, you will gain weight."

Can I get an Amen!?

posted by awiggins | 04:40 PM