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McDonald's Sidesteps The Happy Meal Prohibition
IBD Editorials ^ | December 2, 2011 | Editor

Posted on 12/02/2011 5:11:26 PM PST by Kaslin

Absurd Laws: The nannies of San Francisco tried to take the fun out of McDonald's Happy Meal. But enterprising managers found a way to bring joy to the kids anyway.

A city ordinance that prohibits fast-food restaurants from giving away toys with children's meals went into effect Thursday. San Francisco — of course — was the first big city in the country to pass such a law.

The intent, according to the supervisor who sponsored the prohibition, was to increase awareness of the nutritional makeup of children's meals.

That's Eric Mar's story and it seems he's sticking with it. But whatever the intent, McDonald's restaurants in San Francisco found a way around the government overreach. They're simply charging a minimal price — 10 cents — for adding a toy to the order.

So Happy Meals remain ... happy.

This should be a lesson for policymakers everywhere: People will always find a way to sidestep frivolous and vindictive laws and regulations.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; US: California
KEYWORDS: happymeal; mcdonalds; prohibition; sanfrancisco; sidesteps; sinfreaksicko
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1 posted on 12/02/2011 5:11:30 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

This story warms the very cockles of my heart.


2 posted on 12/02/2011 5:12:56 PM PST by Yardstick
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To: Kaslin

I almost never eat at McD’s, but I’ll go there in celebration of this move. [I’ll get something off the dollar menu, but at least I’ll go.]


3 posted on 12/02/2011 5:13:11 PM PST by Pollster1 (Natural born citizen of the USA, with the birth certificate to prove it)
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To: Kaslin

they shoulda made it a penny


4 posted on 12/02/2011 5:14:09 PM PST by mamelukesabre
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To: Kaslin

Think about this: Liberals trust the politicians who get outsmarted far more than they trust the people who do the outsmarting!


5 posted on 12/02/2011 5:17:21 PM PST by Erik Latranyi
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To: Pollster1

“I almost never eat at McD’s, but I’ll go there in celebration of this move.” That’s a very good idea. Maybe the Asian salad is a viable option....


6 posted on 12/02/2011 5:21:29 PM PST by Silentgypsy (If this creature is not stopped it could make its way to Novosibirsk!)
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To: Kaslin

Happy meals or not, I was happy to raise my kids and never take them to a McDonald’s.


7 posted on 12/02/2011 5:21:44 PM PST by trumandogz (In Rick Perry's Nanny State, the state will drive your kids to the dentist at tax payer expense)
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To: Kaslin

Let me see, Who is smarter? The city of San Francisco or McDonalds?


8 posted on 12/02/2011 5:22:13 PM PST by morphing libertarian
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To: morphing libertarian

Sin Freak Sicko strikes out again. LOL


9 posted on 12/02/2011 5:25:24 PM PST by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: trumandogz

Of course you were. But you do have to admit it’s gratifying to see McDonalds outsmart the San Francisco nanny libs. Right?


10 posted on 12/02/2011 5:27:12 PM PST by Yardstick
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To: Kaslin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKSoiDtdi9s

Whats really in those chicken nuggets. But it is a free country so if you want em, have at it.


11 posted on 12/02/2011 5:33:42 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Kaslin

Hey, if stores can’t sell incandescent bulbs... maybe they give them away with the purchase of something else?


12 posted on 12/02/2011 5:35:30 PM PST by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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To: morphing libertarian

They allow naked men to wander around. who in their right mind would weant to have children in SF anyways?


13 posted on 12/02/2011 5:38:11 PM PST by GeronL (The Right to Life came before the Right to Pursue Happiness)
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To: GeronL

I remember about 10m years ago coming out of a hotel, I think on Bay Street for my daily walk. Turned right and immediately spied a big pile of what could only be human feces.

I loved that city, but I’m glad my daughter moved south and we don’t go there. It’s way out of control.

Remember the locals get what they vote for.


14 posted on 12/02/2011 5:45:24 PM PST by morphing libertarian
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To: Kaslin

This was the obvious solution right from the start. I am surprised it took them this long to come up with it. I would have gone with 5 cents rather than 10, though. What parent will say no to 5 cents?


15 posted on 12/02/2011 5:48:56 PM PST by Semper911 (When you want to rob Peter to pay Paul, you'll always have the support of Paul.)
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To: Semper911

can someone just walk in with a dime (plus tax of course) and buy a toy?

That might be why they are a dime. store can’t risk selling sometimes very popular toys for below cost.


16 posted on 12/02/2011 5:51:32 PM PST by cableguymn
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To: Yardstick

“But you do have to admit it’s gratifying to see McDonalds outsmart the San Francisco nanny libs. Right?”

There are a lot of Nanny State Sycophants out there and they are not just libs in San Francisco.

And if people in San Francisco want to feed McDonald’s to their kids with or without a toy, it is cool with me.

Just seems that there are much better dining choices in SF than a Happy Meal.


17 posted on 12/02/2011 5:52:30 PM PST by trumandogz (In Rick Perry's Nanny State, the state will drive your kids to the dentist at tax payer expense)
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To: cableguymn
That might be why they are a dime.

Could be. Good thinking.

18 posted on 12/02/2011 5:53:55 PM PST by Semper911 (When you want to rob Peter to pay Paul, you'll always have the support of Paul.)
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To: Kaslin

I’m surprised mcd’s showed backbone. More than Boehner would have.


19 posted on 12/02/2011 5:58:23 PM PST by samtheman
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To: Kaslin

SanFranStiffCo loses another one.


20 posted on 12/02/2011 6:13:28 PM PST by Signalman
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