Friday, June 1, 2012

Big Brother Alive and Living in New York City

Mayor Bloomberg has offered a truly 1984-style proposal.  Bloomberg’s proposal would prohibit the sale of soda and other sweetened drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces that are sold in restaurants, movies theaters, at food carts and ball parks.

His rationale?  We are all too fat.  This is Bloomberg's way to fight obesity.  I call it nonsense and a tremendous governmental overreach.

If a man or woman wants to drink a very large soda, what right does the government have to say no?  What gives the government the right to ban the sale of large sodas?  Asked about this, Bloomberg gave a ridiculous response.  He said, "“We’re not banning you from getting the stuff.  It’s just if you want 32 ounces, the restaurant has to serve it in two glasses. That’s not exactly taking away your freedoms. It’s not something the Founding Fathers fought for."

You are wrong, Mr. Mayor.  The founding fathers fought against oppression.  They fought against a government that was out of control and trampling over people's rights.  You are now leading the charge for governmental domination and governmental control over people's lives.

Moreover, if I want to drink a large soda, why should I have to pay for 2 glasses?  Are you going to ban free refills next?  What about my beloved steaks cooked medium rare?  Are you going to limit me to only a 9 ounce steak or will I have to buy 2 separate steaks?  Are twinkees to be banned or are two in a package to be prohibited?  What about the large Hershey bars?  Are they to be banned?  I suppose Cotton Candy will not be allowed at the circus or at a ball game.

I am so sick and tired of the government telling us how to run our lives.  Here is an idea for you, Mr. Mayor.  Stop worrying about whether we drink too much soda and focus instead on cutting the budget and reducing taxes.  Focus more on fighting crime and less on a "supersized" value meal at McDonalds.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

"If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny." ~Thomas Jefferson

Anonymous said...

Any truth to the rumor that you are going to run against Kevin Cahill?

Anonymous said...

Rich, sugar and obesity are closely linked with diabetes in a similar way that smoking and cancer are linked. Unfortunately people are too stupid to do the right thing and i applaud the mayor taking a stand. BTW, Bloomberg is tough on crime.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely agree with you! As a parent of four children I often purchase two of the largest size beverage from street vendors for my children and myself to share - it is called cost effective and convenient. I save money any place that I can (coupons, discount cards, rebates, cutting corners, etc...) especially with the cost of gas, tolls, parking and entertainment when spending the day /weekend in Manhattan.

Richard T. Cahill Jr. said...

8:07,

Crime is a separate issue.

Second, it is not for the government to run people's lives. What ever happened to freedom.