By now you've likely heard that Mayor Bloomberg wants to turn NYC into an area somewhat free of large sugary drinks.
I understand his motives, but we all know this is bullshit, right? As has been said many times today, there's nothing to stop someone from buying two or more smaller drinks. Or, for that matter, buying a giant bottle of their favorite evil drink at WalMart and pouring it into a travel mug as needed.
But, there's something bigger that bothers me about this. When will people learn that we need to be allowed to make our own bad decisions, especially when those decisions don't hurt anyone else?
The way I see it, everything is a muscle. If you never pick anything up, you'll eventually lose the ability to pick things up because you aren't strong enough. The more basic, personal choices are regulated and taken away from us, the more I believe people will lose the ability to decide simple things for themselves. The less we use our brains, the worse off we all are.
Also, let's not pretend it'll cost nothing to regulate every cup of sugary whatever at every convenience store, gas station, sit down eatery and fast food joint in NYC. The local government will get bigger, sillier and more expensive. Which always leads to needing more tax dollars. Which leads to people having less of their income to spend and businesses having less money to hire and pay workers.
And, let's not forget that anything milk based is exempt from this proposed move. Because we all know that milkshakes are essentially a health food.
I'm going to say something now that's going to sound really bitchy and horrible. Here it goes:
Remember way, way back when all governments did was fight wars and make sure folks didn't murder each other in the street for no reason? If you made a bunch of really dumb-ass decisions in a row at least one of three things would happen: you'd get sick/become incapacitated, you'd die or someone would kill you. You would, in some way, be rendered unable to reproduce anymore and your particular brand of shitty, bad-choice-making genes would be wiped from the Earth. Likely providing a very good lesson to anyone who watched you do stupid shit and then cease to exist.
An example? On Sunday night I had a Whopper, small fries and a small soda for dinner. Monday, HUBS made burgers and fries at home for lunch. Tuesday? I was sick as a dog. Message received. Never again for me.
I'm not saying that we should never help anyone out ever. I am saying that if, in 2012, you're an adult who doesn't know or care that having a lot of sugary drinks isn't good for you, maybe you should be allowed to get sick because of it. Maybe it'll teach you something when you become diabetic and need to have your foot amputated. Just. Maybe.
And, fuck, if you don't get the point then what are we supposed to do with you? Assign a government appointed health Nazi to keep you on the straight and narrow?
I can't imagine that would be cheap.
6 comments:
It's amazing, or maybe not considering the rampant abuses by corporations and our food industry, how we've become addicted to sugary energy drinks, contaminated meats and fried foods. Similarly to what happened in the tobacco industry there has been a mass replacement of sugar by cheaper more addictive high fructose corn syrup in almost all our food, the effects of which we are just now beginning to discover.
The danger to our health is considerably higher than anyone ever suspected and that may be why there will have to be a more drastic reaction.
Education is probably the best protection. I recommend that you read a book called "Twinkie, Deconstructed: My Journey to Discover How the Ingredients Found in Processed Foods Are Grown, Mined (Yes, Mined), and Manipulated Into What America Eats" by Steve Ettinger.
Good Grief. Are they crazy! It's so hard for me to believe that this would even have a chance at succeeding. What happened to the idea of free choice ... Sigh! :-),Susan Cooper
I completely agree with your post. Education is one thing & money should be spent on health education (as well as health care thankyou) but then it's up to you. We're not talking seat belts in cars here. it's a subjective stab at trying to look good in goodness knows whose eyes.
Thanks for the post. Saw you on Sharing blogs on Linked in. Glad I did.
I completely agree with your post. Education is one thing & money should be spent on health education (as well as health care thankyou) but then it's up to you. We're not talking seat belts in cars here. it's a subjective stab at trying to look good in goodness knows whose eyes.
Thanks for the post. Saw you on Sharing blogs on Linked in. Glad I did.
There was a huge discussion in our faculty room this past week about this issue. I teach high school students and, trust me, they've been taught umpteen times that sugary drinks aren't good for you especially in excess. If, as adults, they choose to buy a Big Gulp, they should accept the consequences. That's what laws like this do, prevent people from facing consequences.
Whatever happened to dealing with the repercussions of our own choices??
Personal Repercussions. Exactly!
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