Health Redistribution

By Tommy Leung on 11/28/2011 in Life

I’m going to propose an idea that isn’t actually possible but, just imagine it was. Suspend reality temporarily.

Let’s say we could apply wealth redistribution to health. Hear me out.

There’s more fat people in America than there are poor people. In fact, even poor Americans are fat. This is a problem. A massive problem. Possibly, a bigger problem than poverty. The cost to care for all the ailments that inflict fat people are enormous. The money we could save by avoiding the diseases tied to obesity would instantly make poor Americans richer!

Everybody wins.

So let’s imagine we solve the obesity problem the same way many folks recommend to solve the problem of poverty or to shrink the gap between the rich and the poor. We’ll take good health from the minority of Americans who have lean physiques, exercise regularly, and watch what they eat and give that good health to the majority of Americans who are carrying a few small children in extra weight, barely exercise, and eat Chinese takeout while watching TV.

Absurd?

Why would you think this is absurd? I told you to imagine. Forget that we can’t actually take health from one person and give it to another. Just imagine we could.

Isn’t it unfair that some people are just born with good genes?! They eat whatever they like and don’t exercise yet, they look like Greek gods and goddesses! The nerve! It is only fair that we should take their health and give it to those who are less fortunate. Those who have bad genes.

The other hoarders of good health who meticulously watch what they eat and exercise religiously? Well, it isn’t fair that they are able to have such self control and determination. Other people just don’t have that kind of mental fortitude. We should take their health as well and give it to others who just aren’t able to work that hard!

Health redistribution. Just imagine the kind of America we could have if we were actually able to redistribute health!