Northeast Assembly Thread

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I just want to take a moment to welcome our newest colleague and the first female Northeast Representative in history

[Dr. Cynic]

Specifically, what is meant in fair and equal treatment? Does this merely express that a person cannot be hired or fired on the basis of their weight? Or will it require special accommodations be made for people of unusual girth?

I'm not quite sure I'm comfortable associating obesity with disability, though I do agree with some basic precepts of the bill. (Section 4, for example.)

I'd rather not start a heated battle about "lifestyle choices" here, but as someone who's experienced life as a size 44 waist and as a size 30 waist, I lean towards disapproving the bill.

It is meant that as long as their weight does not interfere with their work, then they cannot be fired from their job on that basis. It also means that a person cannot be discriminated in an interview on that basis (whether they hire them or not is up to them) For some, obesity can be disabiling. For me, it obviously isn't. Section 4 comes from a personal experince. I was charged two seats and given only one. Why should anyone have to pay two seats without getting them?

If you wish to propose amendments, I would consider friendly ones to clean up the language. It won't really cost the Northeast much in terms of budget, either.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I just want to take a moment to welcome our newest colleague and the first female Northeast Representative in history

Seconded.

And this bill has my full support, obviously.

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

I approve. Aye

[Dr. Cynic]

I approve. Aye

Welcome to the Assembly!

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

I approve. Aye

Welcome to the Assembly!

why thank you. * courtesy*

[cinyc]

I approve. Aye

Welcome to the Assembly! 

We're still debating the bill, not voting on it yet.

I am concerned about Sections 3 and 5 of the bill.  Equal treatment and service could mean many things.  For example, would a plus-size clothing line be required to hire skinny models (or vice versa)?  That seems absurd, but could become an issue depending on what "fair and equal treatment" means. 

[Dr. Cynic]

All section three says is that a company cannot fire an obese individual if it is not affecting job performance and they cannot discriminate on a qualified applicant simply because they don't like their weight.

Section five is basically saying that Northeastern establishments (Such as clothing stores or restaurants or what have you) have no legal right to exclude obese customers soley on that basis. They can't refuse to sell merchandise or whatever to obese customers.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I shall support the bill

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

It is entirely reasonable for someone who pays for two seats to get two seats. I actually question whether what happened to you is legal under current law to begin with.

In any case, I just want to make sure that there is an established line between what is inappropriate discrimination (i.e., what happened on the airline flight; firing an employee based on weight alone) and what is appropriate (i.e., obese people can face higher health insurance costs).

[Antonio the Sixth]

(i.e., obese people can face higher health insurance costs).

Huh, why ?

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I am opposed to this bill.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I am opposed to this bill.

May I ask fellow Representative Libertas why is he opposing the bill?

[Antonio the Sixth]

I am opposed to this bill.

May I ask fellow Representative Libertas why is he opposing the bill?

He already stated his hatred for overweighted people.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

(i.e., obese people can face higher health insurance costs).

Huh, why ?

Because people who are significantly overweight face far more health complications (diabetes, heart disease) than people who do not?

While few people want to be obese, it is still a lifestyle that some people choose through inaction. It is not something that is fated—people CAN lose weight if they want to. That's not to say it's easy—indeed, for most overweight people, they face issues with metabolism that likely make it harder than most to maintain healthy weights. But there are plenty of options for obese people to get their condition under control, from lifestyle changes to surgery.

In my mind, obesity is somewhat on par with smoking. Neither is cause for discrimination, but both inflict significant related health care costs on the nation as a whole.

[AndrewTX]

(i.e., obese people can face higher health insurance costs).

Huh, why ?

Because people who are significantly overweight face far more health complications (diabetes, heart disease) than people who do not?

While few people want to be obese, it is still a lifestyle that some people choose through inaction. It is not something that is fated—people CAN lose weight if they want to. That's not to say it's easy—indeed, for most overweight people, they face issues with metabolism that likely make it harder than most to maintain healthy weights. But there are plenty of options for obese people to get their condition under control, from lifestyle changes to surgery.

In my mind, obesity is somewhat on par with smoking. Neither is cause for discrimination, but both inflict significant related health care costs on the nation as a whole.

My love for you level went down a little bit. But than I saw your sig, and it went up significantly.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I am opposed to this bill.

May I ask fellow Representative Libertas why is he opposing the bill?

Because we need to be encouraging people to lose weight, not forcing everyone else to bend over backwards to tell them their unhealthy lifestyles are alright.

The obese already put a tremendous burden on our society through the costs of healthcare.

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

I am opposed to this bill.

May I ask fellow Representative Libertas why is he opposing the bill?

Because we need to be encouraging people to lose weight, not forcing everyone else to bend over backwards to tell them their unhealthy lifestyles are alright.

The obese already put a tremendous burden on our society through the costs of healthcare.

actually that is not true. I will try and find the video about women who are happier being fat then not.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

I am opposed to this bill.

May I ask fellow Representative Libertas why is he opposing the bill?

Because we need to be encouraging people to lose weight, not forcing everyone else to bend over backwards to tell them their unhealthy lifestyles are alright.

The obese already put a tremendous burden on our society through the costs of healthcare.

actually that is not true. I will try and find the video about women who are happier being fat then not.

Um, what would that have to do with what I said, or to do with anything that we are discussing on the Assembly floor?

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

I am opposed to this bill.

May I ask fellow Representative Libertas why is he opposing the bill?

Because we need to be encouraging people to lose weight, not forcing everyone else to bend over backwards to tell them their unhealthy lifestyles are alright.

The obese already put a tremendous burden on our society through the costs of healthcare.

actually that is not true. I will try and find the video about women who are happier being fat then not.

Um, what would that have to do with what I said, or to do with anything that we are discussing on the Assembly floor?

you were talking about how it is unhealthy and how everyone has to bend backwards for them. That is all. I was just pointing out that someone people actually are healthier being fat. sorry if you thought it was pointless.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

you were talking about how it is unhealthy and how everyone has to bend backwards for them. That is all. I was just pointing out that someone people actually are healthier being fat. sorry if you thought it was pointless.

The idea that "some people are healthier being fat" kinda flies in the face of, you know, medical fact.

• More than 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be attributed to being overweight or obese.
• Overweight people are twice as likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who are not overweight.
• Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as is an average-weight person.

Happy does not mean healthy.

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

you were talking about how it is unhealthy and how everyone has to bend backwards for them. That is all. I was just pointing out that someone people actually are healthier being fat. sorry if you thought it was pointless.

The idea that "some people are healthier being fat" kinda flies in the face of, you know, medical fact.

• More than 80% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be attributed to being overweight or obese.
• Overweight people are twice as likely to have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, than people who are not overweight.
• Someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as is an average-weight person.

Happy does not mean healthy.

being happy actualy does affect your health.
see check this out. and listen carefullly.

[Dr. Cynic]

It is entirely reasonable for someone who pays for two seats to get two seats. I actually question whether what happened to you is legal under current law to begin with.

In any case, I just want to make sure that there is an established line between what is inappropriate discrimination (i.e., what happened on the airline flight; firing an employee based on weight alone) and what is appropriate (i.e., obese people can face higher health insurance costs).

Well, I don't even have health insurance, so I can't tell you whether or not my costs for them would be higher.

I wouldn't say they couldn't be charged higher coverage, but they should still be given coverage should they be willing to pay.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

being happy actualy does affect your health.
see check this out. and listen carefullly.

Happiness does not unclog your plaque-hardened arteries or cure labored breathing.

I fully understand what you are saying. The problem is that what you are saying is ridiculous.

[Countess Anya of the North Parish]

being happy actualy does affect your health.
see check this out. and listen carefullly.

Happiness does not unclog your plaque-hardened arteries or cure labored breathing.

I fully understand what you are saying. The problem is that what you are saying is ridiculous.

No it is not. You just think that it is not possible.