LETTERS: GLUTTONY IS CHOICE MADE BY INDIVIDUAL

To the editor:

In reading Phil Patterson's May 25 letter: Mr. Patterson cannot hold the restaurants responsible for a person's gluttony. True, all-you-can-eat restaurants are taking advantage of a person's love of eating, but so are places like Subway and Blimpie's, which are exploiting Mr. Patterson's choice of a healthier lifestyle.

I was once morbidly obese, but I took responsibility for the shape I was in and did something about it. The key words here are "I took responsibility." It's up to each person to take responsibility for his health.

If the restaurants are exploiting someone's lifestyle, couldn't it be said that shoe stores are exploiting the desire to walk in comfort and style? Couldn't it also be said that clothing stores are exploiting a desire to not traumatize the public and embarrass yourself by walking around naked?

What I'm trying to say is you can't hold businesses responsible for the things people do or don't do. We all make choices. That's why the good Lord gave us all free will. It is just a business. No one is making anybody go to these human feeding troughs.

ROBIN SLINKARD

Cape Girardeau