Imagine the taste of a nice and refreshing glass of soda after an unbearable summer day. Isn’t it just delectable? Now, what if someone were to take that sugary glass of heaven right out of your hands? In one city, this irritating disaster was just a hair short of becoming a reality. The health of the citizens living in America is one of the main concerns of the United States Government, and those in control do their best to limit the amount of dangerous or unhealthy foods and substances the people are exposed to. However, this “healthy and fair” control has been abused. Mayor Bloomberg of New York City is responsible for the soda ban, a rule restricting all fountain drinks over the small size of 16oz. Although the soda ban has it’s benefits, …show more content…
On page 288 in Soda’s a Problem But… by Karin Klein, “...it’s wrong for one man, even an elected official and even a well-meaning one at that, to dictate to people how big a cup of sugary soda they’re allowed”(288 Klein). Is this not an impeccable example of dictatorship? This unacceptable rule gives Mayor Bloomberg a prejudiced influence over the people and limits their freedom of choice. The citizens of New York may occasionally make decisions that aren’t the healthiest, but taking away their ability to have a fountain drink over 2 cups is absolutely ridiculous. Klein’s article also states, “I don’t buy the argument that people are helpless in the face of sugar… If people are so helpless against soda, the mayor’s edict would be even more meaningless because people simply buy two 16-ounce cups. But people are not helpless, and it’s worrisome to promote a philosophy that infantilizes the individual”(Klein 289). The government believes the public lacks the ability to make decisions that benefit their health, however, this assumption is ridiculous! Mere choices such as drinking soda over water is nothing compared to the hundreds of diseases our country suffers from that are far worse. Soda may not be the best option for the public’s health, but removing their abilities to decide, their rights to choose, is …show more content…
They believe the people’s choices will negatively affect their health and lifestyle, in return, those in charge give themselves the authority to give citizens the “right” foods and drinks. However, the issue with this is that no one is perfect. Everyone feels the irresistible pull of a sweet, sparkling soda and sometimes, 2 cups isn’t enough. It may not be the best for your health, but how much can a few cups of soda do? Besides, this ban provides an opening for future choice-limiting laws. For example, Klein’s article states, “...it is about freedom and the freedom to make your own decisions about what you do and what you put into your bodies. It started with soda and he has already moved on to salt. What is going to be next? …it starts here and it will spread throughout the nation”(Klein 288). With this evidence, it is shown that the soda ban could be the start to similar laws, restricting pieces of our daily lives, all by a government with too much control. If the ban is to continue, the people of, not only New York, but the United States will lose their freedom of choice once and for