The elections for Madison City Council take place this coming Tuesday, and the result will almost certainly strengthen the control that Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has over city government. The residents of Madison can look forward to even more use of our taxpayer dollars for initiatives such as the Fit City Madison Health Initiative. Mayor Dave is unapologetically liberal and it is reflected in the program’s Mission Statement.
Thirdly, it should concern free people when any authority claims an economic interest in their individual behavior. When a valid economic claim exists on an individual, then the force of government can legitimately be used to both compel compliance and seize compensation. The American Revolution rejected the idea that ordinary people are subjects of a government. It is also important to understand and accept that not every person values freedom to the same degree. Ceding responsibility over health matters to the government will always be enticing to many who are struggling financially.
The Mayor is extremely fond of the concept of health and making Madison the healthiest city in America is one of his oft repeated goals. To date, I have not seen anyone challenge Cieslewicz to define how this goal will be achieved. If it is a real goal, an achievable goal, then there will be a way to measure partial and complete success. If a goal is unachievable then it is merely a desire, and politicians are good at exploiting desires to gain power.
The Fit City Madison health initiative grew from Mayor Dave Cieslewicz’s desire to address the sky rocketing overweight and obesity statistics, the increasing number of people who are inactive, and the growing number of families making poor nutrition choices. The goal of Fit City Madison to improve nutrition and increase physical activity among all Madison residents. … Through the mayor’s leadership and the guidance of talented and committed groups and individuals, Fit City Madison aims to turn the tide of a public health epidemic and prevent it from taking a dramatic health and economic toll on Madison. Instead we will strive to make Madison the healthiest city in the nation.First of all, this type of government “service” is a textbook definition of paternalism. None of the above statements can be made without an assumption that individual health is direct concern of the government and that the government knows best on how to achieve and maintain health. Fatherly advice to get off the sofa and walk around is not really problematic; however, it becomes a concern when it moves beyond suggestions and into expectations. Politicians are good at producing meaningless public service messages, but consider the specificity of action requested in Fit City New Release.
Fit City is also encouraging Madisonians to eat three fewer bites this per day, or about 100 calories.Secondly, and more troubling, is the assumption the government has the right to make judgments about the quality and quantity of the food you eat. There is no way to make the statement about poor family choices unless the city has established a valid standard defining good and bad eating. As before, public officials establishing guidelines as advice is harmless to individual freedom and the potential for abuse of power begins only after the actions of individuals start to be judged against that advice.
Thirdly, it should concern free people when any authority claims an economic interest in their individual behavior. When a valid economic claim exists on an individual, then the force of government can legitimately be used to both compel compliance and seize compensation. The American Revolution rejected the idea that ordinary people are subjects of a government. It is also important to understand and accept that not every person values freedom to the same degree. Ceding responsibility over health matters to the government will always be enticing to many who are struggling financially.
The Mayor is extremely fond of the concept of health and making Madison the healthiest city in America is one of his oft repeated goals. To date, I have not seen anyone challenge Cieslewicz to define how this goal will be achieved. If it is a real goal, an achievable goal, then there will be a way to measure partial and complete success. If a goal is unachievable then it is merely a desire, and politicians are good at exploiting desires to gain power.
