While I don't think this has anything to do with politics, I can already hear the people screaming that this would be "too much big government." Sorry, but I just saw the news tape of the protest in DC yesterday. I would like to ask those people what they would do if they lost their job and then got sick...
OK back on topic. This is something that is dear to my heart. But even my well educated, financially well off friends think I am weird for doing what I do. Perhaps some of us are hard wired to be active. My oldest son, while active in the sense of walking everywhere (up to 10 miles) and using public transportation a lot, has done nothing else for fitness. About a month ago, he started riding the old mountain bike we gave him, which is set up for commuting. He is now totally hooked, riding to work at least 3 days a week and once or twice on the weekends. Yesterday, we went to his place, to give him some lights, gloves, and a jacket (all of which we had "hanging around ,") and when I heard him say "I have to ride tomorrow," I thought we have created a monster. But, I think it's in his genes and he sees the writing on the wall in terms of fitness.
It is hard to plan time for fitness or walking/riding to work. I am faced with this now with my new schedule. My day now consists of sitting down all day, and I really hate it. Even though I supposedly live in the second skinniest state in the country, we have virtually no MUTs compared to other places. Unless you live in the city, you need a car...