It's no longer just enough to educate people about making healthy decision. You now have to influence them psychologically to effect true change according to CNBC's Jim Cramer.
Cramer, during his "Stop Trading" segment on CNBC's "Street Signs" on Aug. 10, suggested eating so-called unhealthy food be demonized, similar to how the tobacco industry has been - through a publicity campaign that even appeared in movie theaters.
"I think that what people in the tobacco business would tell you that what really cut back tobacco was when people who watch commercials saw that they were being demonized and it became a really un-cool thing, I know they still do it in movie theaters and movies, a lot of that is paid, but that's what Phillip Morris always said really was the downfall of tobacco."
Cramer said the goal should be to make people feel bad about what they eat, in other words "embarrass people out of eating stuff."
"I think that those people would very rapidly accept the tax because they love the food because it's an addiction," Cramer said. "In other words, I'm a little bit strong on this, but I think it's an addiction that these companies have created, kind of like nicotine and you got to embarrass people out of eating stuff."
But here's where that sort of campaign that would try to influence people's eating habits through shame could backfire and any sort of campaign would have to be conducted with caution. According to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, 8 million Americans have an eating disorder, 7 million women and 1 million men - and of mental illnesses, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate.
"Street Signs" host Erin Burnett pointed out powerful the food lobby, however Cramer did credit the industry for trying to offer alternatives.
"Well, they've also all tried," Cramer said. "See, they've all tried to make it so that there's alternatives on the menu."
Calling food an addiction is a recurrent media theme, despite the ever-present need for humans to eat. According to ABC's July 27 "Nightline," food is a drug, and food companies are pushers.
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This is nothing new.
August 10, 2009 - 18:20 ET by motherbeltThis is nothing new. Liberals have talked for years about attaching to certain foods the same stigma that has been attached to tobacco, and making pariahs of those who choose the those foods.
A Harvard professor, years ago, talked about treating Ronald McDonald as the new Joe Camel, and the fact that we are raising our kids in a "toxic" food environment. You know when they get the words "kids" and "toxic" in the same thought, the result won't be good.
How long before allowing kids to eat what the food police consider a less-than-healthy diet will be considered child abuse? What next...second-hand food? That would be parents bringing unhealthy foods into the home and leaving it where the kids can get it!
The picture
August 10, 2009 - 18:30 ET by MES41067Said the picture of health.
(Lenin called them "useful idiots" I for one have no use for them.)
not kidding
August 10, 2009 - 18:56 ET by MidAmericaDoes it count for anything that I was eating a hot dog/chips and washing it down with a soda while I was reading this? I weigh less than cramer.
Jim "Beetlejuice" Cramer
August 10, 2009 - 20:27 ET by BarkerNow why does this stock sorcerer, this numbers necromancer, want to demonize my pizza?
Btw, word is Cramer "reads" animal entrails to make his predictions, after a ritualistic sacrifice, of course. Just sayin'........
Jim Cramer (now a social planner)
August 10, 2009 - 21:39 ET by ptsonSo Jim dismisses the other, healthier items on the menu and wants to have people "embarrassed" into "proper behavior." Well Jim, I am embarrASSed, by you. My solution, something better on the menu! Changing the channel! Bye, Bye you arrogent, liberty-killing, liberal jerk!
PS-how is that Sears stock working for you, Jim? Hoping for some change? Seems like you "bought" Eddie's BS.
This guy Cramer recommended
August 10, 2009 - 22:02 ET by Free StinkerThis guy Cramer recommended half a dozen stock that went up . . . "HE'S A GENIUS!!"
Meanwhile, what about the other thousand or so he recommended that tanked ?
Cramer
August 10, 2009 - 22:35 ET by doug1950I never watch him. First time I ever saw him ranting the first thought I had was, " Cheez, what an annoying little spud".
Wow!! Pretty strong words
August 11, 2009 - 00:18 ET by SvenWow!!
Pretty strong words from a wussy who couldn't stand up to John Stewart!
What an A$$ Hat!
This topic is central to
August 11, 2009 - 04:22 ET by FranksamThis topic is central to the health care debate, IMO. I happen to like greasy cheeseburgers, pizza, strip steaks, etc. I also like vegetables and regular exercize. No doubt many Americans could stand to lose some weight. I don't care if one gets drunk unless they're behind the wheel, but heart attacks are a predictable result of alcohol abuse and smoking.
I don't want to pay for the bad choices that people make, and that is the essence of Obamacare. We used to excoriate bad behavior, but now we can't ask anyone to wear the scarlet letter without being insensitive and uncaring. I don't think we should stone people that make mistakes. I would have been in the pillory long ago.
On the other hand, no obese super sizing alcoholic smoking couch potato methamphetamine addict has a right to send me the bill for their health problems. Did I leave out anybody who might be offended by my selfish perspective? I sure hope not.
No offense taken
August 11, 2009 - 17:57 ET by ptsonIf Obama care doesn't pass Congress, I guess I will go door to door to collect money to pay for my health care premium. Would THAT be absurd enough to make the point that the only one who should be paying for MY health care is ME? What a concept. We all pay for our OWN health care. Then we can all do and eat whatever WE decide. No need for health care and food police! Why that could SAVE BILLIONS. Demand that YOUR Congressman stand up for LIBERTY and stop being a TYRANT!
"you got to embarrass
August 11, 2009 - 07:10 ET by KTSavage"you got to embarrass people out of eating stuff."
I bet they will start having "food police" trolling around and when they see someone eating something "bad" they will all point and taunt "fatty fatty 2X4!"
Good gravy... wait... is gravy an approved food? Or should I be embarassed?
No one tells
August 11, 2009 - 09:00 ET by jessieHNo one tells me what to eat or drink, especially the govt. Congress hasn't earned any respect.
junk food
August 11, 2009 - 10:57 ET by LorraineGive me M&Ms or give me death!
Feel free to tax away Twinkies and other highly refined, artificial and expensive junk food. I'll just continue to make my own, MUCH better tasting and cheaper junk food.
Bald men tend to be
August 11, 2009 - 15:03 ET by George S PattonBald men tend to be pedohpiles, should cramer be embarassed?
Give me M&Ms or give me
August 11, 2009 - 19:43 ET by Radical1979Give me M&Ms or give me death!
Thanks Lorraine! My new rallying cry. Let's see the government try to take junk food (chocolate and salty food) from PMSing women. I'll kill someone that time of the month for chocolate!
An interesting stat
August 11, 2009 - 19:37 ET by UnsaneStudies show that 100% of Americans who eat a healthy diet (that meet with the approval of those health gurus like Jim Cramer and Queen Michelle I) die.
BOO-YAHHH!!!!!
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)