Letter: Lawmakers need to look at health issues

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006 | 7:21 a.m.

I guess I am not surprised when I read about people who attack ideas that would make our lives safer and healthier, such as the no-smoking movements and the recent ban of cooking with trans fats in New York restaurants.

But their arguments, in my humble opinion, are weak. When I hear or read that they have rights that are being taken away, I realize that they are not considering the rights of those they are criticizing.

If nothing else, the nonsmokers and those who watch their diets reasonably are funding the medical problems created by smokers and obese people. The medical insurance rates change according to claims, and certainly the treatment of diseases and health problems caused by smoking and bad diet cost our nation billions of dollars.

But, even disregarding the cost of their unhealthy way of living, I am insulted to hear or read that the nonsmokers should go to places where nobody smokes. Wow! That is another example of a minority whining loud enough to take rights away from the majority.

I think it is time for our lawmakers as well as the business world to take a hard look at their place in the problem of national health. By ignoring the needs of the majority, they are choosing the easy way out.

Ken Anderson, Las Vegas