How Far?

How Far? was Originally Posted on March 11, 2013 by lavarock

Although just overturned by a judge, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been pushing a ban of large caps or bottles of soda and other sugary drinks to combat obesity.

Unfortunately, sugary drinks are not the only cause of obesity, candy bars and doughnuts and fatty foods and french fries also do. Are we soon to outlaw anything fatty? If not, why just drinks? Could it be because they already know haw many are sold because of recycle fees?

Rather than buy a 32 oz drink, might a person buy two of the next smaller size and don’t you think that soda companies would help subsidize that? It just seems that the law was flawed.

The judges decision was because, like many laws, there were too many loopholes which made it not fair. A big problem was that the law would have been enforced only on establishments regulated by the city’s Health Department, while stores like 7-Eleven, which is regulated as a market by the state of New York, would have been exempt. So a restaurant was penalized while the 7-11 next door would not be.

Just how far should local, state and federal government be able to go making laws to protect citizens? Should you be required to wear a seat belt in your car, if you don’t want to? Should you be bale to decide if you want health care or not? Should you be able to smoke in your own house or apartment if you want?

There comes a time when some of these regulations become a bit much or even intrusive. We have elected these politicians who create these laws, but do we speak out when one is suggested that we disagree with?