If we are talking about for the specific purpose of handicap parking passes then I think they're fine. The arguments put forth so far seem to be that they should not because the condition is self-inflicted.

 

So, if you think that way, you also would deny a handicap parking space to a guy who lost his leg in a car crash in which he was driving while drunk.

 

You would deny a pass to someone who suffered a severe back injury doing some type of extreme sport.

 

The list can go on and on about injuries that are caused by people's own actions.

 

Are you going to deny these people as well?

 

Lastly, how does that obese person having a parking pass hurt you?

Bad comparison. If someone is fat because they eat too much and not excerise that is not the same as some one who lost a leg even if it was their fault. You can't grow the leg back but you can lose the weight. There is almost no excuse for anyone to over weight period.

Bad comparison. If someone is fat because they eat too much and not excerise that is not the same as some one who lost a leg even if it was their fault. You can't grow the leg back but you can lose the weight. There is almost no excuse for anyone to over weight period.

 

So there is an "excuse" for driving drunk , causing a wreck, and losing your leg?

 

The entire argument put forth is based on "they did it to themselves."

 

As to your argument that they can lose weight: fine. However, while they are obese they still deserve the parking pass for the same reason as the drunk driving amputee.

No. Why should they be given special privilges? It's not a handicap.

So there is an "excuse" for driving drunk , causing a wreck, and losing your leg?

 

The entire argument put forth is based on "they did it to themselves."

 

As to your argument that they can lose weight: fine. However, while they are obese they still deserve the parking pass for the same reason as the drunk driving amputee.

Did I say that? Plus no matter how you lost the leg it's gone and you are now handicap. No matter what you do you are still going to be missing a leg.

 

Plus should obese people park as far away from the door as possible? The exercise will do them good.

My family has a little history of obesity. I think that no way is it a handicap! Most handicaps were caused by accident or a born genetic condition, obesity is brought on by yourself. And, if we let the obese people park in the handicap spots, we are defeating the purpose of what they need, more walking. I am overweight by a few pounds to say the least, but I keep from being that obese by exercising.

I can tell you that two are living in my household. As far as beyond that, don't know. My family has thyroid, among other issues, out the wazoo.

 

Then I unserstand how that could be perceived for a handicap. If there is a problem that causes, yes it is, but if a person just eats too much, that is not a handicap.

Did I say that? Plus no matter how you lost the leg it's gone and you are now handicap. No matter what you do you are still going to be missing a leg.

 

Plus should obese people park as far away from the door as possible? The exercise will do them good.

 

You're cold.

 

Let me turn your argument around.

 

Tell the guy who lost his leg to buy a prosthetic. He doesn't need to park close.

 

Tell the person with the back injury to go to rehab.

 

Tell the person in a wheelchair to have someone drop them off at the door.

 

How far do we want to go with this?

 

You still are ignoring the fact that people who you advocate getting a pass put themselves, many times, in the situation they are in - just like the obese person.

You're cold.

 

Let me turn your argument around.

 

Tell the guy who lost his leg to buy a prosthetic. He doesn't need to park close.

 

Tell the person with the back injury to go to rehab.

 

Tell the person in a wheelchair to have someone drop them off at the door.

 

How far do we want to go with this?

 

You still are ignoring the fact that people who you advocate getting a pass put themselves, many times, in the situation they are in - just like the obese person.

I'm not cold. I just don't have much sympathy for someone that allows themselves to get to that point because they can't stop eating 4 large pizzas for dinner.

 

How about this, I will concede the point that an obese person should be issued a temporary pass good for six months. If in six months they can't put the 1/4 pounder down an loose some weight then tough.

If we are talking about for the specific purpose of handicap parking passes then I think they're fine. The arguments put forth so far seem to be that they should not because the condition is self-inflicted.

 

So, if you think that way, you also would deny a handicap parking space to a guy who lost his leg in a car crash in which he was driving while drunk.

 

You would deny a pass to someone who suffered a severe back injury doing some type of extreme sport.

 

The list can go on and on about injuries that are caused by people's own actions.

 

Are you going to deny these people as well?

 

Lastly, how does that obese person having a parking pass hurt you?

Let me tell you how it hurts! It hurts those of us who really DO need the spots. They are so rarely available, and usually filled by either:

 

A. a retiree who could use the exercise.

 

B. a fat person who should be out walking as much as possible.

 

C. a guy in a Corvette.

 

People who have legitimate injuries, no matter how they were acquired, deserve to park in those spots. Generally speaking, fat guys and retirees have no business being there.

If a parking pass is going to be handed out so freely however, then there needs to be more spaces. It is so hard to find a van space for a ramp as it is. People will park anywhere and not consider that someone might need a place for a ramp. I hate it when we have to take up two parking spaces in either a marked spot or regular spot just for the ramp. We both feel horrible about it, but, there is nothing else you can do.

Bravo! Spoken by a person who knows how it is.

As to your argument that they can lose weight: fine. However, while they are obese they still deserve the parking pass for the same reason as the drunk driving amputee.

Absolutely not! Making things easier for people to take advantage of legitimate programs is not going to serve the interest of fairness.

Let me tell you how it hurts! It hurts those of us who really DO need the spots. They are so rarely available, and usually filled by either:

 

A. a retiree who could use the exercise.

 

B. a fat person who should be out walking as much as possible.

 

C. a guy in a Corvette.

 

People who have legitimate injuries, no matter how they were acquired, deserve to park in those spots. Generally speaking, fat guys and retirees have no business being there.

 

You haven't addressed the real issue, BF. The underlying theme is that obese people (and not just fat people) brought this upon themselves, thus, ixne on any special parking passes. I assume you're in agreement with that mentality.

 

I'm curious to hear how you rationalize away the negligence involved in some/many injuries . I'm negligent when I drive drunk and I'm negligent when I stuff my face every day. The point is that I'm negligent.

 

Why do you reward some negligence but not other negligence?

Absolutely not! Making things easier for people to take advantage of legitimate programs is not going to serve the interest of fairness.

 

Very well put! My grandmother totally needs a pass b/c she broke her femur 5 years ago, and can barely walk but god love her she says she needs the exercise and there are many other people out there who need it worse to her. She is one that needs it and still feels selfish getting one. People who take advantage of them make me irate!

You're cold.

 

Let me turn your argument around.

 

Tell the guy who lost his leg to buy a prosthetic. He doesn't need to park close.

 

Tell the person with the back injury to go to rehab.

 

Tell the person in a wheelchair to have someone drop them off at the door.

 

How far do we want to go with this?

 

You still are ignoring the fact that people who you advocate getting a pass put themselves, many times, in the situation they are in - just like the obese person.

 

Every condition you just named has an excuse for why they need to be closer.

 

What is an obese person's excuse for parking closer?

Every condition you just named has an excuse for why they need to be closer.

 

What is an obese person's excuse for parking closer?

 

For the truly obese (and that's who I'm advocating) walking any distance is a problem. Many of the obese have severe breathing problems brought on by the sheer amount of weight. So, we can't simply say "walk farther." In many cases, they can't.