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 ...
...sue this POS
The Constitution has zero relevance to this man.
I applaud the fact that Mayor Bloomie realizes NYCers aren’t smart enough to make intelligent food/health choices.
Now if we can just get him to prevent those same folks from voting in elections for federal offices.
...then STFU moron
Well he admits he doesn’t know what the purpose of govt is.
Who taught this loon civics?
I thought it was to protect the rights of the citizens and provide for the common defense. What do I know...
He’s hopeless. Give him the “Mussolini” farewell.
This is the most ignorant statement I’ve ever heard from the lips of a prominent politician, closely followed by Biden’s “FDR on TV in 1929” statement.
Government/politicians are in no position to promote the best science and best medicine even if they do know what it is, which is doubtful. The globull warming fiasco should prove that.
And Bloomie twists this by construing “rights” as “entitlements.” It’s one of the many, many ways in which supposedly free handed liberalism becomes a far tighter squeeze on the person than conservatism ever could be.
Those people elected him, they deserve him.
“if government’s purpose isn’t to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don’t know what its purpose is.”
I agree, Bloomie. You don’t know the purpose of government, you ststist jackass!
The freedom to imprison themselves in liberal lunacy, I supposed. Sigh... I thought constitutions were supposed to put a sharp limit on this sort of thing.
The freedom to imprison themselves in liberal lunacy, I suppose. Sigh... I thought constitutions were supposed to put a sharp limit on this sort of thing.
FUMB
You’re exactly right, I fear the do gooders far more that any conservative government! and I’m really starting to hate the feds. Totally out of control.
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.
This will come as a shock to you but people really can decide what is in their own best interests. It's called Freedom.
Oh, and another thing. It is one thing for you to tell people what you think is best for them but what you are doing is forcing them to abide by what you think is best. That's called totalitarianism.
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