Nanny Legislation

A DREAM SEQUENCE:  I live in New York City and it is March 12, 2013.  I wake up and can't decide what country I am living in - am I in Russia?  Today is the day Mayor Bloomberg has said I can no longer buy a plus 16 oz. sweet drink in a number of establishments - another infringement of a government interfering with my personal daily life choices.

BACK TO REALITY:  First of all, how did the Mayor determine where these restrictions would take place?  He targeted movie theaters and stadium concession stands, but not vending machines, newsstands, and 7-11 type stores(where I think most of the large drinks would be sold).  How much is it going to cost the taxpayer for this selective enforcement? 

Secondly, the garbage industry will benefit because there will be more trash generated.  Instead of ordering 1 - 32 oz. drink, customers will order 2 - 16 oz. drinks therefore doubling the amount of containers thrown away. 

Thirdly, Did the mayor do the research on diet drinks vs. drinks with sugar?  Diet drinks are not part of this proposed ban.  There is evidence that regular use of artificial sweeteners may promote weight gain.  After an 8 year study in San Antonio, TX, those who drank drinks with artificial sweeteners were more likely to have gained weight than those who didn't drink "diet" drinks.

The purpose of this intrusive "law" is to cut down on obesity.  They say large drinks may be the cause.  But do we know if the people who are consuming these oversize drinks are washing down the 3 or 4 Big Macs they've just eaten?  Is the next step to ban the number of burgers you can order at a burger joint or the number of slices of pizza you can order at a pizza parlor?

The meaning of the word intrude is "to force upon others without being asked or welcomed". At what level does this regulatory intrusiveness stop? We are being subjected to superfluous and self-aggrandizing laws. In the future will the 'Kitchen Police' come to my home to check out my food supply?  
 
We cannot be our brothers' keepers.  It is time for people to take responsibility and become aware of how their food choices can negatively affect their health.  We do not need or want the government governing every aspect of everything we do.  Start educating kids about the importance of nutrition the minute they start school and continue to reinforce this theme for the next 12 years.  Will such a program work?  I don't know. But I would favor education over legislation