Even fat is the stuff of politics in Washington, and with obesity a growing health problem, lawmakers, lawyers and activists are lining up the way they do for most issues: on two sides, reports Yahoo News. The left's view is that the food industry and advertisers are big bullies that practically force-feed people with gimmicks and high-calorie treats. They say Ronald McDonald is the cousin of Joe Camel. The right's argument has been dubbed: You're fat, your fault. They say people can make their own choices about food and exercise. "I don't think people want to go back," says Tomas Philipson, a University of Chicago economist. "They'd rather be fatter and richer." The debate has spilled over into public policy, with proposals for a junk-food tax, limits on food advertising, demands for more details on labeling and lawsuits against food manufacturers. Several states are considering limits on sweets sold in schools; Some are debating whether to force chain restaurants to list nutrition information on menus. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently introduced a bill that would prevent people from suing restaurants and food manufacturers for making them fat. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House. Full article here.