Bloomberg Has Lost His Mind

Not travel-related in any way, but I saw this news last night and I really think Bloomberg has lost it.

New York City plans to ban the sale of all sugary drinks over the size of 16 oz.  Where to start?

First, I don’t actually consume a lot of soda.  Maybe I have one or two a month.  And, when I do, 16 oz. is just fine for me.  So, this isn’t personal.  I get the smoking ban, and support it.  I even get banning sugary drinks in schools or other places funded by the public (rec centers, etc).

Essentially, Michael Bloomberg is legislating how people should eat.  Last time I checked, I’m pretty sure that right is protected by that Constitution thingy.  It may not be enumerated, but I’m fairly certain this steps over a line.

I asked my wife her thoughts, and her answer was, “Well, I don’t drink sugary beverages.”  I asked her what would happen if they banned coffee in larger sizes or the smoothies our daughter drinks from Starbucks.  She replied she’d order a smaller size.  What I should have asked was what happens if they ban her lattes because they now think too much milk or cream is leading to obesity.

It’s not about the sugary drinks.  It’s just a slippery slope.  I supported the idea of putting nutritional info on menus.  More educated consumers can make better decisions.  But now (assuming the ban goes into place), a family-owned deli that sells 2-liter bottles of soda as part of it’s grocery section will lose those sales because Bloomberg thinks some chunky high school kid is going to chug the whole thing.

I’m certain that will solve the obesity issue.