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Bloomberg fires back at "nanny" critics: It's part of government's role
CBSNews.com ^ | June 13, 2012

Posted on 06/14/2012 6:22:57 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY

(CBS News) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg shrugged off criticism of his controversial public health initiatives, saying that "if government's purpose isn't to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don't know what its purpose is."

Bloomberg most recently put forth a plan to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces from the city's eateries, street carts and stadiums.

The proposal has been sharply criticized, in some cases by beverage and fast food companies as a case of government overreach.

He's also been criticized for previous efforts to, among other things, ban smoking in public places and the use of trans-fats in restaurant foods. Some have gone so far as to mock has as being like a "nanny."

But on "CBS This Morning," Bloomberg fired back, saying, "We're not here to tell anybody what to do. But we certainly have an obligation to tell them what's the best science and best medicine says is in their interest.

"If you want to smoke, I think it's pretty ridiculous, you shouldn't. But I don't think we should take away your right to smoke."

Bloomberg pointed out that life expectancy iin New York City exceeds the national average by three years, noting that all the progress has come since he took office a decade ago.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...


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To: Free ThinkerNY

Where is it written that a mayor has the power to tell people what they can eat or drink? Bloomberg is a delusional power hungry egotist that needs to be replaced.


21 posted on 06/14/2012 6:45:29 PM PDT by Kryn-Man (Self-righteous, gun-totin', military-lovin', redneck)
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To: Steely Tom

He has no idea what freedom means. Government’s role is to leave people alone.


22 posted on 06/14/2012 6:46:21 PM PDT by Captain Jack Aubrey (There's not a moment to lose.)
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To: Perdogg

the only obligation this idiot has is to stay out of peoples lives


23 posted on 06/14/2012 6:46:21 PM PDT by Doogle (((USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated)))
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Bloomberg is a Maosist.

I therefore propose FR Rule # 2:

Always refer to Bloomberg as Chairman Bloomberg.


24 posted on 06/14/2012 6:48:31 PM PDT by lightman (Adjutorium nostrum (+) in nomine Domini--nevertheless, Vote Santorum!)
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To: Robwin

He doesn’t even mean what he portrays himself as saying. He’d stick “surgeon general” warnings or some such thing on the giant cups of soda if he was being honest, even if he was wrong in the warnings. But he goes further: shoot, skip the warnings, just BAN the darn stuff. And NYC takes it meekly as a mouse. Maybe it’s too declasse for New Yawkers to quaff giant cups of soda and it’s a stealth way of being delicate.


25 posted on 06/14/2012 6:48:47 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Let me ABOs run loose Lou!)
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To: Captain Jack Aubrey

Yeah, where is that emanation of a penumbra here? Can’t tell a woman not to have even a viable unborn baby offed, but can tell her not to get a Double Gulp? Consistency isn’t liberals’ forte.


26 posted on 06/14/2012 6:50:31 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Let me ABOs run loose Lou!)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Headline: “Bloomberg admits he does not know the purpose of government”.


27 posted on 06/14/2012 6:51:16 PM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy
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To: Free ThinkerNY

NY fatties will have to sew a golden hamburger identification on all their clothes and present zee papers at the city limits.


28 posted on 06/14/2012 6:53:29 PM PDT by Rodm
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To: Free ThinkerNY
if government's purpose isn't to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don't know what its purpose is

Let me give you a hint. The role of a city government is to maintain public infrastructure, provide police/fire/public safety services, etc. That's about it.

29 posted on 06/14/2012 6:53:56 PM PDT by matt04
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To: yefragetuwrabrumuy

Well, the Tea Party folks have been kvetching for a long time about getting RINOs, but have been unable to get much of a foot in the door (case in point: Mitt Romney, who to be fair probably would never ban Double Gulps). Here’s your chance, Tea Party! The Double Gulp Tea Party candidate, running against Bloomie!


30 posted on 06/14/2012 6:55:02 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Let me ABOs run loose Lou!)
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To: Free ThinkerNY
I don't think Bloomberg or his super wealthy friends eat at McDonalds or buy big gulps at 7/11.

Maybe Bloomberg should spend his time checking out fancy restaurants - the kind he and his social group eat at - then he can tell HIS friends what they should and shouldn't eat. He needs to share is 'luv' of telling others what's good for them... /s

31 posted on 06/14/2012 6:55:16 PM PDT by GOPJ (Take your little hammer, little sickle and your scary red signs with a fist on it, and go home...)
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To: refermech

There’s nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with private do gooders who do good with their own dimes. May their tribe increase as much as they please. They can preach that Double Gulps will damn you to hell, if they want. They can require swearing off Double Gulps in order to belong to their private clubs. But they doggone well do NOT have a right to twist the levers of government to keep their neighbors from getting Double Gulps.


32 posted on 06/14/2012 7:02:33 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Let me ABOs run loose Lou!)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

You know what’s happening here, don’t ya’? Follow the $$$$$. He’s implemented NO SMOKING bans throughout the city and they are going to lose REVENUE. He’s trying to make it up in other ways. Want more to drink or eat? Buy 2 = more taxation.


33 posted on 06/14/2012 7:05:45 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear (Wings cannot be redistributed, they can only be broken. ~ Oleg Atbashian (People's Cube))
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To: Free ThinkerNY
"if government's purpose isn't to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don't know what its purpose is."

OK. When will he be outlawing gay sex ?

34 posted on 06/14/2012 7:10:12 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (If you like lying Socialist dirtbags, you'll love Slick Willard)
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To: Free ThinkerNY
"We're not here to tell anybody what to do."

2 + 2 = 5

35 posted on 06/14/2012 7:12:11 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: Free ThinkerNY

“Can I make the little man fly now, Mother?”


36 posted on 06/14/2012 7:16:28 PM PDT by RichInOC (No! BAD Rich! (What'd I say?))
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To: Free ThinkerNY
listen stooopid... it's supposed to be the SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE!!! not their overlord
37 posted on 06/14/2012 7:21:30 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: JimSEA

Romanian term limits.


38 posted on 06/14/2012 7:28:34 PM PDT by Noumenon (If people saw socialists for what they truly are, slaughter would ensue - in self-defense.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY
Bloomberg pointed out that life expectancy iin New York City exceeds the national average by three years, noting that all the progress has come since he took office a decade ago.

That is one of the main problems with government idiots like Bloomberg. They actually think their idiotic programs have some affect on the world around them. It really is a form of psychosis.
39 posted on 06/14/2012 7:31:05 PM PDT by microgood
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To: Free ThinkerNY

I keep a list of Nanny State mandates on SCRIBD. It is there so I can reference files on my other computers. Who knew people would actually read this stuff.

Anyway, here is the link: http://www.scribd.com/doc/87219158/My-List-of-Nanny-State


40 posted on 06/14/2012 7:33:13 PM PDT by Haddit
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