Bullied into the Gym by a Cartoon (Column - University Assignment)

Apparently the government, in their infinite wisdom, have decided we, as a nation, are too fat.
So the NHS advertising experts have put together a wonderful little campaign to help us collectively get fit, and “Change4Life”.
According to this new project, we are to “Eat well” and “Move more” to “Live longer”. This has come as a revelation to every person. Suddenly, a divine light has shown us the way to eternal life, and the answer is cutting down our diet and doing more exercise.
Have you ever seen a fat athlete? Whoever knew the key to their lean bodies was a healthy diet and vigorous training? Surely within a few months of the Government’s new ad campaign, we shall all be sprinting the twenty mile stint to work and gorging our faces with apples and bananas.
Maybe, we will also develop some infinite mental ability through fitness, because according Morph’s brothers and sisters dancing around our TV screens, we all have the mental age of a five year old. Perhaps the advertisers have made an honest mistake in estimating viewers’ capabilities. Or maybe their tactic is to force us onto the treadmill by the power of patronisation.
But it’s not only the TV screens these little people have captured. Like Tescos, Starbucks, and Hitler, these fitness freaks are now invading our own towns and cities. British bus stops beware. “Is it too far for you to walk?” the bright yellow poster condones as unsuspecting OAPs wait for the number 22. The abundance of zimmer frames, walking sticks and shopping trolleys suggest that maybe, yes, it is a bit too far to walk.
Then there is the “Change4Life” website itself, overrun again by the scary little people who’s speech bubbles tell us to watch out for them TV. Hang on a minute, isn’t sitting in front of the TV waiting for them to arrive the exact opposite of the campaign itself?
The essence itself of the campaign is true, us lazy Britons need to get up off the sofa, ditch the car and don the sneakers. We live in a Ready Meal society where exercise and healthy eating involves is another burden on pour busy, busy lives. Gordon Brown himself, the epitome of the lean, mean, running machine, is going to lead Britain to be the next Germany in the Berlin Olympics. Paula Radcliffe, watch out.
The message is more honest and true than Jesus. The campaign is bigger than Obama’s. Ignoring the patronisation, Britain is on its way to the healthiest society in history. Paint yourself blue or orange, erase your face, eat your 5 a day, go for a run, and you too, could be as cool as those little men.