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 ...
Thanks for the ping!
Evil men can be well dealt with.
“Not THIS little man.”
OMG, the lady on the far left in the white dress looks exactly Bawny Frankette! Hahaha!
I’m sure those aren’t the only things that won’t be touching their lips.
You know, CSM, he may be right about NYers being to stupid to make intelligent choices..........after all they elect and re-elect him..........
Government's purpose is to keep other people from infringing on my rights and to make sure criminals don't interfere with my life (murder, mugging, toxic dumping into the water table, etc.)
When government starts intervening in my life beyond the most minimal degree necessary to ensure the previous point for me, but also to make sure I don't interfere in the same rights of others, then that government has assumed the role of the criminal.
I think you may be right. The problem is that by the time they wise up, it is to late do undo most of the damage.
They never will...........I was born and raised in NYC, I know!
Only in a liberal moron's mind would "telling" = "coercion by confiscation of the opportunity to make your own choices".
What about some guy who never drinks soda and splurges once a month (that's actually me, more or less). Is a 44oz soda gonna kill that guy? What drugs have you been ingesting that leave you thinking you know everyone's circumstances well enough to make rules that fit, even if protecting people from themselves WERE your job, you collectivist oxygen thief?
It would appear that that's what they already are.
No, you're not. Now stop doing it.
Judging from the picture, not only are they all guilty, guilty, guilty, but sounds like eating all that stuff is an even better idea than I thought! Well, maybe not the "cheesy poofs", need some clarification on that one, it might be Bloomie's chief of staff or something.
Right. We view that ‘public safety services’ thing to mean we can do anything we think is a good idea.
I WANT TO SEE THE BAD MAN FLY!!!!! AND I’M HUNGRY!
No, you’re thinking of an entirely different little man. That particular little man is more interested in screwing nubile young women than the folks he rules.
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