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Chicago Planning to Whip Employees into Shape
Semi-News/Semi-Satire ^ | 25 Aug 2012 | John Semmens

Posted on 08/27/2012 9:38:52 AM PDT by John Semmens

Employees of the City of Chicago are being given the opportunity to voluntarily sign up for a new “wellness” program. Those who don’t sign up will be assessed a $600/year penalty—a protocol remarkably similar to the “tax” levied by the IRS on those who fail to purchase insurance under Obamacare.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised the program saying “it will change lives. Left on their own, too many people degenerate into massive blobs of flab. It is our job to see that this doesn’t happen.”

The program will require employees to go through a physical and mental health assessment, comply with mandatory annual check-ups and immunizations, and participate in a prescribed exercise regimen.

Emanuel characterized the program as “a first step. Ideally, everyone, not just City employees, should participate. This will give us an opportunity to pilot test a new, healthier lifestyle for all.”

The program’s resemblance to military boot camp is not coincidental. “Those opposed to good health are deriding this program as some sort of ‘boot camp,’” Emanuel said. “I say so what? In the Army, out-of-shape weaklings are turned into physically fit fighting machines. Recruits may chafe under the training, but is there any question they’re better off for it?”

Inasmuch as the death toll from shootings in Chicago exceeds that for US troops in AfghanistanmaybeCity residents should be trained for combat.

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news posts you can find them at...

http://azconservative.org/2012/08/25/dems-reject-cardinals-offer/


TOPICS: Government; Health/Medicine; Humor; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: chicago; democrats; nannystate; satire

1 posted on 08/27/2012 9:39:10 AM PDT by John Semmens
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To: John Semmens

mental health by whose standards do you pass?

fail and lose you 2nd Amendment rights, even if you then move to a more gun friendly state.

being ‘chipped’ is only a little bit away from here.


2 posted on 08/27/2012 9:45:16 AM PDT by Surrounded_too
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To: John Semmens

I was at the best shape of my life the 24 years in the military when we had 3 days of mandatory physical fitness. I know this is satire but everyone could use a bit more exercise in their lives. Some people are just lazy! A year after retirement I still exercise but it was so much better in the military.


3 posted on 08/27/2012 9:47:20 AM PDT by napscoordinator (Attention Republican National Convention voters....Santorum/Bachmann 2012! Dump liberal Romney NOW!)
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To: John Semmens
I'm 100% against Gov't doing this but if private business/insurance companies penalize fatties I have zero problem with it. Don't like it? Lose the weight.

Go ahead, eat yourself into sickness/chronic medical conditions but don't expect me to pay for your eating habits through higher insurance premiums etc.

4 posted on 08/27/2012 9:48:46 AM PDT by trailhkr1
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To: John Semmens

Good one, John!


5 posted on 08/27/2012 9:51:35 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: John Semmens

Good one, John!


6 posted on 08/27/2012 9:51:35 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: John Semmens
"Whip" you say?

Are they going to put them in chains if they don't get with the program?

7 posted on 08/27/2012 9:53:53 AM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: John Semmens

Dammit; you totally sucker me in every time!


8 posted on 08/27/2012 10:12:21 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (You didn't build that. The private sector is doing fine. We tried our plan and it worked.)
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To: trailhkr1
Wow, I am highly offended by this and I'm not even overweight — pretty much healthy in fact. And it's not your comments that offend me, to each our own, but as far as I'm concerned, my work has no right to make me join a fitness program, period. If my insurance wants to charge me more for my habits if they don't like them, then fine, others should not pay for things I can control. But that's between me, my doctors, and my insurance company. NO WAY should it EVER involve my company, my boss, my colleagues—unless I want it to—and you can bet I don't! I would refuse this in a second and find a way to challenge one and all to prove I am not healthy (I am!) and that I must do something that I have no interest in doing with my colleagues as part of an employment requirement.
9 posted on 08/27/2012 10:16:12 AM PDT by GizzyGirl
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To: John Semmens

Dang, you definitely got me too!


10 posted on 08/27/2012 10:19:41 AM PDT by GizzyGirl
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To: GizzyGirl
as far as I'm concerned, my work has no right to make me join a fitness program, period. If my insurance wants to charge me more for my habits if they don't like them, then fine, others should not pay for things I can control. But that's between me, my doctors, and my insurance company. NO WAY should it EVER involve my company, my boss, my colleagues—unless I want it to—and you can bet I don't!

The company you work for is probably self insured..they pay the claims(or premiums if not self insured) so in a sense they have the right to tell you you need to lose weight just as they have the right to drug test you and tell you what you need to wear at the office or how you wear your hair. Higher premiums due to obesity = less profit for the co you work for. Insurance co's charge companies a higher premium at renewal if they have a lot of claims.

Besides, many co's are doing these programs on the sly anyway. There are zero obese people at the co I work for..they just don't hire them...just as they don't hire older people either.

BTW Don't like these programs? Quit and start your own company.

11 posted on 08/27/2012 10:25:09 AM PDT by trailhkr1
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To: John Semmens

OK, sounds good to me as long as they also plan on charging fags fines as they run up health costs across the nation by engaging in unnatural and dangerous practices.


12 posted on 08/27/2012 10:29:51 AM PDT by Mouton (Voting is an opiate of the electorate. Nothing changes no matter who wins..)
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To: John Semmens

Good one John.


13 posted on 08/27/2012 11:00:23 AM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: John Semmens

Oh, yeah, I wonder how long the “optional” part will last before it is mandatory? Coming next for city employees: under skin GPS locators. It’s for their own good, right?


14 posted on 08/27/2012 1:05:01 PM PDT by MasterGunner01
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