Editorial: The folly of legislating self-control
From a Washington Times editorial:
New York’s health department claims a third of residents are overweight and nearly a quarter are obese. Mr. Bloomberg insists the government’s interest in preventing obesity gives it the authority to limit sugary drink sizes in the same way it micromanages trans fats in foods and lead in paint. On that point, he’s right.
Too often, Americans are willing to cede control over their lives to politicians. If the government can force us to use mercury-filled light bulbs, ban smoking in bars, outlaw plastic bags in grocery stores and even prohibit Happy Meals at McDonald’s, it should come as no surprise that something as innocuous as a carbonated drink would be next on the list. . . .
Stores and restaurants respond to consumer demand and sell the things people want. Those desires can’t be changed by a municipal ordinance or pushy health inspectors. Mr. Bloomberg’s latest plan is just going to annoy the more than 3 million New Yorkers who aren’t fat but still are subjected to his honor’s dietary dictates. In a free society, it should be nobody’s business that a construction worker quenches his thirst with a Big Gulp during a hard day on the job.
Limousine liberals like Mr. Bloomberg and Ms. Davis don’t give much thought to the little guy. In their minds, they know what’s best for everyone. Ordering society according to their personal preferences gives them the feeling of superiority on which they thrive. Each time these left-wing mayors are allowed to get away with it, freedom is diminished in America.