A Government Run Lifestyle

To be put into effect March 12 of this year, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg will ban the sale of soda beverages larger than 16 ounces.

The goal is simple: to decrease obesity and to improve the health of the people. With multiple states in favor of the ban, including California, the future of soda in the U.S has yet to be decided. The only problem is, why do the people not have a say in this decision?

“It’s government intrusion on civil liberties,” Government teacher Don Frazier said. “The government thinks it knows how to raise everybody, how to raise children, and tell us what to do. I wouldn’t be for it.”

There is no doubt that obesity is a growing problem in the U.S. But although officials are trying to improve the health of our nation, the rights of the people are forgotten in the process. Though not everyone leads a healthy lifestyle, a person has the right to live and eat whatever and however he or she chooses.

“People should definitely be drinking less soda, but I think the government is sticking its nose in where it shouldn’t,” school nurse Wendy Keller said. “It’s really up to the people to decide.”

Bloomberg’s big soda ban has led Los Angeles city councilman Mitch Englander to consider banning sodas from local parks, schools and library vending machines.

If Englander should pass the ban, soda will no longer be available at places like the Palos Verdes Library, snack shacks or vending machines at school.

In addition, while soda will still be attainable at the local restaurants and drugstores, many vending machines depend on the sale of their most popular drink: soda. Should the vending machines have to get rid of soda from their available beverages and decrease their sales, it is very possible that the machines may be moved to find business elsewhere.