Belgian ministers and their role model function ...

[solarstorm]

Maggie De Block has been the Minister of Social Affairs and Health of Belgium since October 11, 2014.
Her appointment was and still is the subject of controversial public discussion.

[ingemann]

I don't think her weight disqualify her, but I don't know enough about her opinions and proposed policies to say whether she should be minister of health.

[solarstorm]

If you have decayed teeth you can't even become a dental assistant...

[politicus]

If you have decayed teeth you can't even become a dental assistant...

Such discrimination would be illegal in many countries.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

Why not? A government shouldn't regulate peoples health, and if they promise healthcare for all, then they need to provide healthcare for both the healthy and the unhealthy. Her position is administrative.

[MaxQue]

She is slimmer than Quebec health minister.

[politicus]

If I were mean I would say that obesity and francophonie.

De Block is Flemish.

[solarstorm]

She is slimmer than Quebec health minister.

Oh my Gosh...



But I still think that De Block has a higher BMI.

My respect for Sebelius and Burwell.

[ingemann]

She is slimmer than Quebec health minister.

But he's a guy so that doesn't count.

... I was in fact ironic, but the more I think about, the more absurd it seem that de Block have been singled out, she's not the first fat minister of health in the world, but for some reason she was singled out, is it because she's woman? I don't know, but it seem a little suspect.

[solarstorm]

She is slimmer than Quebec health minister.

But he's a guy so that doesn't count.

... I was in fact ironic, but the more I think about, the more absurd it seem that de Block have been singled out, she's not the first fat minister of health in the world, but for some reason she was singled out, is it because she's woman? I don't know, but it seem a little suspect.

Well, Belgium, a sovereign country, is more populous by half than the biggest Canadian province.
Plus, two wrongs don't make a right...

[MaxQue]

She is slimmer than Quebec health minister.

But he's a guy so that doesn't count.

... I was in fact ironic, but the more I think about, the more absurd it seem that de Block have been singled out, she's not the first fat minister of health in the world, but for some reason she was singled out, is it because she's woman? I don't know, but it seem a little suspect.

He was singled out, both during the campaign and after his nomination.

[Tender Branson]

Austria's new Health Minister (left) had no such controversy like her Belgian colleague, after being chosen by the Social Dems to be the new HM a few months ago.

Besides, she's a pediatric doctor who knows the workings of the social security system and health system well and a former unionist. Which means she's definitely highly qualified for the job. Her weight should not matter.

[Oakvale]

Why would this be controversial?

[Platypus]

I don't think her weight disqualify her, but I don't know enough about her opinions and propossed to say whether she should be minister of health.

Yup.

[The Lord Marbury]

I voted yes on this because I don't see a problem with someone being Health Minister if they're obese, however if they're competent and capable or not is an entirely other issue.

Just look at the new Swedish Health Minister:


Sure he looks healthy but he doesn't actually have any serious experience working with healthcare issues, and even if that doesn't make me think negatively of him it certainly increases my doubts.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Wouldn't it be more relevant whether someone's a smoker?

[Oakvale]

I voted yes on this because I don't see a problem with someone being Health Minister if they're obese, however if they're competent and capable or not is an entirely other issue.

Just look at the new Swedish Health Minister:


Sure he looks healthy but he doesn't actually have any serious experience working with healthcare issues, and even if that doesn't make me think negatively of him it certainly increases my doubts.

Yes, that is disturbing. Nothing is worse than a young politician.