Every once in a while the public gets a chance to look
inside the heads of wealthy, "progressive," politicians. Many don’t like what they see. New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg has been a long-term advocate for gun control and other
liberal “reforms” He recently proposed a ban on the sale of large sodas and
other sugary drinks in restaurants, movie theaters, delis etc. in the hopes of
fighting obesity. Under his plan, such drinks would be limited to 16 fluid
ounces. Libertarians are screaming in opposition
to this paternalistic, authoritarian approach to public health. Of course, once we start down this slippery slope,
where does it stop. Ban motorcycles and
ATV’s? Ban skiing? Oops, I forgot! That will never happen as it is a
favorite pastime for the rich and politically connected. The main targets will be the poor, rednecks, rural residents, gun owners, hunters, etc. Liberals, for instance have attempted to prohibit law-abiding residents of public housing living in high crime areas from keeping legal weapons in their homes. See this article for 7 other authoritarian Bloomberg proposals. Personally, I don't need a Nanny, and I certainly don't want or need one with government power. Is this a great country or what?
Fortunately, Bloomberg is only mayor of NY city. Possibly a majority of the city's residents want super-sized soft drinks banned. After all, they voted this guy into office. It's for this reason the story doesn't warrant much attention here in Lone Star country. So my message to Bloomberg, don't mess with us cause everything's bigger in Texas.
ReplyDeleteThings maybe bigger in Texas, but everything is better in Wyoming.
DeleteIs Bloomburg a progressive or just an authoritarian? It seems like he leans left on some social issues, but is pretty hard right on economic, collective bargaining, or anything that benefits the rest of us. Maybe it is just that I am a gun owning and toting liberal (a real classical liberal, not some groovy hipster), but Mikey seems more like a robber baron than a flower child.
ReplyDeleteGEJ:
ReplyDeleteYou are right in many respects. It is always risky to try to categorize politicians. Bloomberg tends to be a liberal on social issues, and a conservative on others. As one of American's richest men, it is not surprising that he tends to be conservative on many issues. However, he is certainly not libertarian. Unfortunately, whatever he is, he seems to like authoritarian solutions to problems he sees. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bloomberg#Political_stands