Bloomberg soda ban

[tygerarmy]

Mayor Bloomberg vs. the Big Gulp

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been on a years-long crusade against obesity, or at least against the cultural and commercial forces that promote it. In his latest step, he's proposing to ban the sale of super-sized sugary drinks by restaurants, cinemas, street vendors and stadium concessionaires. The move exemplifies the tension between individual liberty and societal responsibility that's particularly acute in the field of public health. Americans cherish their freedom to live as they choose, without "nanny state" dictates from the government. But because they're not willing to deny medical care to people who urgently need it, society has to pick up the tab for those who make heedless choices. Striking the right balance between the two will be one of the central challenges for government in the coming decades, as rising healthcare costs put an increasing strain on federal, state and local budgets.

Bloomberg is an idiot; can some throw this tiny man into a 16 once cup so we can see if he can swim?

[Thejebusfire]

How about making healthy drinks cheaper and more accessible to the poor and working class?

[CaseAgainstFaith]

How about making healthy drinks cheaper and more accessible to the poor and working class?

I could have sworn water was free at most restaurants.  Just need to make them free at places like Zoos and Theme parks though that would be nice.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

How about making healthy drinks cheaper and more accessible to the poor and working class?

I could have sworn water was free at most restaurants.  Just need to make them free at places like Zoos and Theme parks though that would be nice.

Like this?:

[CaseAgainstFaith]

How about making healthy drinks cheaper and more accessible to the poor and working class?

I could have sworn water was free at most restaurants.  Just need to make them free at places like Zoos and Theme parks though that would be nice.

Like this?:

Ya normally at Zoos and theme parks those don't work or they have insanely low water pressure since of course they want you to buy their bottled water not drink from the water fountains...at least that's the case at my local zoo and theme park

[nickiknack]

I think it is stupid idea to ban soda, that being said my complaint is that fast food places make even the "small" sodas big. Most of the smalls are what I would call a medium. I would like to have another choice.

[DarkfireTaimatsu]

I'm sure glad I don't live in Bloomberg, or wherever~  Tai needs soda to live. =<

I think it is stupid idea to ban soda, that being said my complaint is that fast food places make even the "small" sodas big. Most of the smalls are what I would call a medium. I would like to have another choice.

"Hi. My name's Mitch. Can I take your orders? I mean, can you order? ...Let me start again. Hi, my name's Mitch. Can I have your order?"
"Yeah. Hello, Mitch. I'd like a small popcorn."
"We don't have small."
"Then give me a medium."
"We don't have medium."
"Well, what do you have?"
"We have large, chubby, and double super chubby!"
"Then isn't a large a small?"
"Uh... I'll have to ask my manager."
"...Fine. One large popcorn."
"Here you go. You want fries with that?"
"Why would I want fries with popcorn??"
"Uh... I'll have to ask my manager."

[Fpqxz]

What really kills me is that the proposed ban won't actually accomplish anything.  I can think of four reasons why.

1.  It only applies to the Five Boroughs of NYC, and nowhere else.
2.  A person could purchase his drinks at another store, or order more than one.
3.  Plenty of other things will make you fat too.
4.  An excise tax on sugary drinks would probably work somewhat better (unfortunately, the beverage industry and corn industry oppose such measures).

[Osama bin Bambi]

Fuck you Bloomburg, I sell what I want.

Washington state had a tax on candy, junk food, and sugary drinks once, but it was inconsistently enforced. For one thing, Cheetos were considered junk food and were therefore taxed, but things like Kit Kats (which are obviously candy by every definition of the word) were not, because Kit Kats contain a wafer inside of them. There are just too many ways that big business lobbies can turn "health laws" into tools against their competition.

[QueenofHearts]

Washington state had a tax on candy, junk food, and sugary drinks once, but it was inconsistently enforced. For one thing, Cheetos were considered junk food and were therefore taxed, but things like Kit Kats (which are obviously candy by every definition of the word) were not, because Kit Kats contain a wafer inside of them. There are just too many ways that big business lobbies can turn "health laws" into tools against their competition.

Well the problem with this logic is that its a rather defeatist attitude to have. The idea to tax junk food was not the flaw of the bill, it was the bill's wording (to my knowledge as you described it). Taxes can be instituted on all junk foods and drinks without favoring one over the other, I mean the phrase "empty calories" seems like a good enough place to start. You could even get into laws that would tax foods if the vitamin/mineral to calorie ratio was too low which would amount to very little extra spending as the nutritional facts are generally printed on every candy bar to be sold.

And I say "eh" to the law. Something has to be done about America's obesity problem and its becoming apparent that people aren't going to make the right decisions tomorrow as long as the status quo remains in tact. I think taxes on such "empty calories" would be a better idea, but it wouldn't pass.

In part because of FPqxz's 4th point, but also America is in this juvenile stage where everything is some sleight against their liberties. Telling MacDonalds to offer apples is an attack on personal liberty. Having schools remove sugar cookies is a threat to our freedom. Removing trans fats (my favorite fats  ) scares the shit out of the Tea Party and Glenn Beck. If America was more reasonable, the junk food lobby could spend all they wanted to no avail. However, when this childish attitude permeates American culture, we're doing their job for them.

[Shane for Wax]

[agentCDE]

Yes, soda is bad for you.

No, we do not need the fucking Mayor of New York wasting everyone's time to whine about it.

Normally I have a conniption every time I hear the words "nanny state" but seriously, does this damnable city have nothing better to do with it's time?

[Old Viking]

Oh, yeah, this'll work.

[Vypernight]

So sugary drinks are banned, huh?  What about cigerettes and alcohol?

[KZN02]

So sugary drinks are banned, huh?  What about cigerettes and alcohol?

Well, the tobacco companies are wealthy enough to support politicians, and don't forget what happened in the Great Depression after alcohol was banned.