by John Stossel
This week, the food-nanny lawyers at the Center for Science in the Public Interest threatened to sue McDonald’s if the chain doesn’t remove toys from Happy Meals. Never shy about scare-mongering, CSPI compares the burger chain to…a child molester:
“McDonald’s is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children,” said CSPI litigation director Stephen Gardner. “McDonald’s use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children’s developmental immaturity .... It’s a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction.”
CSPI gives McDonald’s 30 days to drop the toys or face lawsuits.
... [T]he practice of tempting kids with toys is inherently deceptive,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. “I’m sure that industry’s defenders will blame parents for not saying ‘no’ to their children…”
He’s right. If kids are overweight, in most cases I’ll blame the parents. McDonald’s doesn’t make kids fat. Parents have the power to say NO. They can order apples instead of fries, milk instead of soda. They can teach their kids to put down the Xbox controller and exercise.
“... [B]ut multi-billion-dollar corporations make parents’ job nearly impossible by giving away toys and bombarding kids with slick advertising.”
Please. Parents have much more power than the advertisers do.
Ridiculous lawsuits like these from “consumer protectors” hurt consumers by driving up costs and letting lawyers limit our choices.
In fact, next week, I plan to do my FBN show on lawyers and lawsuit abuse. Suggestions invited.
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