Whether they think the mayor is combating obesity or infringing on their rights, New Yorkers are scheduled to have their say on a proposed ban on large sugary drinks served at restaurants, movie theaters and other eateries.
The proposal requires only the approval of the Board of Health – appointed by the mayor – to take effect. But opponents could still sue to block the ban, or they could convince legislators to step in and block the proposal.
A public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, and the board is scheduled to vote on the measure Sept. 13.
“Sugary drink consumption is a key driver of the obesity epidemic,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Monday alongside community leaders who gathered to voice their support for the measure. “This year an estimated 5,800 New Yorkers will die because they are obese or overweight.”
So a hand-picked board will vote on the Mayor’s proposal. And of course the whole bit of “Soda makes people fat”….sorry, sedentary lifestyles makes people fat. Period.
This isn’t about promoting health, its about restricting freedom!
It’s mighty handy that one of the biggest wheels in the gun control movement is also a hectoring, preachy, term-limit ignoring, megalomaniacal (Bloomberg’s army anyone) Nanny stater of the first order.
It really shows that these fools are anti-freedom not anti-gun. Given he’s peddling the exact same “common sense” restrictions on sodas as he is on guns.
This is a man that thinks the peasantry will lollygag if their tankards are too large. Of course he thinks only the King’s men and the lords and ladies in favor at Court should have arms.
The term you’re looking for, Jack, is “sumptuary laws”:
laws intended to restrain or limit the expenditure of citizens in apparel, food, furniture, etc.
These laws are always motivated by a combination of blue-nose impulse and a desperate desire to maintain class distinctions. That’s why Bloomberg’s also so into disarming the populace: he’ll never be without armed security, and denying it to the little people puts him that much more “above” them.
“Sugary drink consumption is a key driver of the obesity epidemic”
So Bloomy is a medical doctor now? Licensed medical researcher? Nurse practitioner? Professional dietitian? Anything with a medical background giving him intellectual authority to speak on the “dangers” of sugary drinks?
No?
So, why are people still listening to him?