Yes, it IS about money, power, and control. Removing soda machines from the schools PUTS the money, power, and control back in the hands of the parents, where it belongs.
You want your kid to drink soda at school? Fine. Send her to school with two cans of Coke in her backback. Those of us who care a bit more about our kids' nutrition will still send water or juice, or let them buy milk at the cafe, without having to worry about them being tempted to spend their salad-bar money in the junk-drink machine.
God forbid a child have a decision to make about what kind of drink to purchase at school. How could they be expected to take on that kind of responsibility? Maybe this freedom thing is just too dangerous. You guys might be right.