/facepalm
You totally missed my point. Yes those things are the parents' responsibility, but that doesn't mean government can't regulate those things. They can and DO.
You're right that they do, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is right. Furthermore, in your example, none of the things you mentioned were correct in the truest sense. The DOE doesn't "make sure your kids learn." It provides guidelines/rules for schools and teachers to follow, but in the end, the only people that can make their kid learn are the parents. This is a large part of the reason education stinks in this country and more money WON'T fix things -- many parents don't value education.
If you show a nipple or say the "f word" on your TV show, the FCC will FINE you even though raising their kids is parents' responsibility. There is no precedent for your position that everything other than criminal abuse is outside of the government's responsibility.
Using the FCC as an example to someone like me isn't a great idea, because they do go overboard. Furthermore, I don't believe I claimed that the government can only regulate criminal activity. In fact, I was again trying to illustrate the huge differences between the examples you used (child abuse) and this and saying that one is criminal and should absolutely be regulated by the government whereas you can't make a good argument why the other should be regulated. Because if you're going to sit there with a straight face and say this needs to be regulated "for the sake of the kids' health," I can give you a list of other things needing to be regulated as well. Where do you draw the line?
Considering how many kids want fast food just because of the stupid little toys, and as a result get hooked for life, I bet it will be pretty effective.
You don't think the parents will just drive to the next town/county and get the kids what they want?
Oh, and LOL at the "hooked for life" comment. You don't think that when the kid turns 18 and tastes his first Big Mac, he/she couldn't be "hooked for life" then? You act as if a Happy Meal is a box of crack.