The Sugar Police

   The dictionary defines “dignity’ as “ bearing, conduct or speech indicative of respect or appreciation.” The word came to mind recently as I was watching the news as they reported about Mayor Bloomberg banning large sodas in New York City. It has since been struck down by a clear thinking judge.

   How much regard for dignity is shown when an official bans a soft drink? It isn’t cocaine, it’s not alcohol, it’s just fattening. Maybe he thinks he was elected Mama of New York instead of Mayor.

   Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for Coca Cola, I don’t even like the stuff. But I am a big fan of freedom. I like to think of it as being the Sovereign King of a kingdom the size of the space my feet occupy. It’s not a huge domain but it’s all mine. The surrounding territory I may have little power over. No matter. I control where I live, what I do for a living and . . . what goes inside my mouth Mr. Bloomberg. I have this covered, thank you. I still own ME. You have invaded my personal space, please back away quickly Sir.

   Apparently, all of the serious problems have been eradicated in New York. There is no unemployment, homelessness, drug abuse or crime of any kind since the top cat is focusing on bad habits now. After love handles are conquered, I wonder what will be the next frontier? Dirty windows? Restrooms out of paper towels? How about nose blowing in a restaurant? Now that is a threat to life as we know it. Perhaps we should cite clerks that don’t say ‘thank you’ enthusiastically enough?

   That may sound ridiculous, but it is the natural progression to monitoring what legal drinks people consume. This kind of Utopia seeking nut will never stop at soft drinks. They will continue until they are content with the perfect world they have created. And this crowd always thinks they are getting closer every day. One more law here, another restriction there, and before you know it, all will be well except for the fact that no one can legally leave their home.

   I don’t mean to pick on New York. Chicago is another fine example of the Nanny from Hell.

   In a city that can boast of the highest homicide rate in the country, take a guess at what Mayor Rahm Emanuel has on his little liberal brain. Sugary snacks! We’ll deal later with the teenagers shot to death in the inner city, world renown government corruption and the eroding manufacturing base. That’s all silliness! It’s the Honey-Buns in the vending machine that will push us over the cliff. Hershey Bar task forces are what is called for in a desperate situation like this.

   Please excuse my sarcasm here. It can’t be helped. The shocking thing isn’t that politicians suggest this kind of buffoonery, it’s that they can say it with a straight face. Is anyone else offended at the hubris it takes to be a self appointed food cop?

   If a Mayor can dictate what a city is permitted to eat, maybe it’s not too intrusive enough to oversee personal hygiene? Bathroom habits should be randomly checked to insure that the all-important public safety is intact. After all, people can die from E-coli. There. We have our justification. The dirty little fools need supervised. Like stupid children, they need us even if they don’t like it.

   Of course it is even worse at the federal level. What is Obamacare, but a cradle to casket plan to oversee lives? ‘This is a dangerous activity, you needn’t do that, this is bad for you Sweetie, stop it now!’ or ‘You will buy health insurance you don’t need and can’t afford, or else!’

   The paradox is that these are the so-called pro-choice leaders of the nation. ‘You have every right to an abortion if that’s what you want’ is their proud motto. Now, just to be clear, what we are saying is that we have the right to end the life of a sleeping unborn child, but when it comes to the beverage at lunch, these are decisions that should be left to the wiser, deeper thinking leaders in charge. Okay. I’m clear now.

  Our nation has lost its vision of personal freedom and how precious it is. Our Founding Fathers thought it was worth dying for. I believe they would be embarrassed to see their descendants being led around by the nose by elected control freaks. We haven’t lost our dignity; we gave it away.