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Business

It’s the Government’s ‘Role’ to Improve Your Health: Bloomberg Responds to ‘Nanny’ Critics

Jun. 14, 2012 1:52pm Becket Adams

During an interview on CBS’ “This Morning,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended his proposed ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces by arguing that it’s the role of government to “improve the health and longevity of its citizens.”

“[I]f government’s purpose isn’t to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don’t know what its purpose is,” the mayor said.

The proposed ban has been met with sharp criticism from pundits and businesses. Many feel that his health initiatives are overreaching and some have even dubbed Mayor Bloomberg “The Nanny.”

Center for Consumer Freedom’s full-page New York Times ad

“We’re not here to tell anybody what to do. But we certainly have an obligation to tell them what’s the best science and best medicine says is in their interest,” Bloomberg said this morning on CBS.

“If you want to smoke, I think it’s pretty ridiculous, you shouldn’t. But I don’t think we should take away your right to smoke,” he added.

The mayor went on to praise companies including Pepsi and Coca-Cola for understanding the necessity of informing people of the nutritional value of their products.

“Coke and Pepsi sell a lot of full sugar drinks, but they’re also focusing on smaller cans, Coke in particular. They’ve put calories on the front to try to tell you,” Bloomberg said.

It’s probably worth noting that Coca-Cola is one of the many companies publicly opposed the sugary drinks ban.

“Anything is OK in moderation,” Bloomberg said. “Maybe not smoking. But, a full-sugar drink, nothing wrong with it. It’s when you drink so much. And it’s not the only thing.

“We have gone to a society where everything is fast food, everything is high calories. The average person today is much heavier than they were. Airlines have a problem: Their customers can’t fit in the seats anymore.”

Bloomberg concluded: “Obesity is becoming the single biggest health problem in America and will kill more people than smoking in a few years.”

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Comments (157)

joekoets
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:23pm
What a Dumb A***

Glad I don’t live anywhere near this idiot.

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- Mosell
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:29pm
  I agree with Mr Bloomberg. He has no idea of the purpose of government.
  
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- NHwinter
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:29pm
  I agree, he is dumb, he doesn’t even know the role of government. They have overstepped their duties by miles. Get rid of these socialist!!!!
  
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- HKS
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:32pm
  How do people this dumb get so rich?
  
  Report this comment
- Leopold
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:32pm
  This is not just Bloomberg. He is the perfect example of the left.
  
  They think we are stupid. We are the masses that need to be pushed in the right direction.
  
  I bet they all hate the fact that they have to go back to the masses every 2-4 years. To have to ask for their vote. To pretend they actually care. As soon as they are back in their offices it’s back to my way. They really don’t care about the people. They only care about their own advancement and power.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:42pm
  WHAT A TOTAL FOOL!!! The govt is to protect us from foreign invastion, to make sure our bridges;rails; roads work and that really is about it. THOSE POWER CRAZY jackasses have so overstepped their boundaries. WHO is paying them off? What do they get out of it? HOW DARE THEY !!! Oh, they are also supposed to check on diseases…but NONE of that allows them to tell us WHAT TO EAT !!! They spend our tax money like it’s THEIR MONEY. I remind them: We own every pencil, chair, desk, telephone, limo, office, lamp…we own it all. THEY WORK FOR US. WE did NOT elect them to have POWER OVER US, but to DO WHAT WE WANT THEM TO DO. SHUT UP. STAY SHUT UP. They are using these “no-no’s” to CONTROL US, the DEMEAN US, to make us into robots. DAMN THEM.
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:49pm
  And it’s the citizens role to feed the the tree of liberty with the blood of an oppressor….or whatever Jefferson said….our founders gave us the tools to change course, and their genius becomes more clear everyday every hour every minute….. They saw this coming , because they saw it before…..benevolent tyranny is nothing new……..
  
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- AmazingGrace8
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:11pm
  @pattyhenry
  
  Good post. As we all are finding out about so many “transformations” are happening in this country, I can’t help but start thinking this is leading to a “more-perfect-human”. When animal owners want a “pure-breed”, steps are taken to accomplish this result. Anything is possible now-a-days with so much government power. Scary stuff!!! Oh, that’s right…..it is happening.
  
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- marhee9
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:26pm
  His quote should have read “we’re not here to tell anybody what to do, but we’re going to anyway.” The sheer arrogance of these people is astonishing. I am so sick and tired of the government telling me what’s “best” for me. Stay out of my life Bloomberg, I’ll call you if I need you!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OPf1dK-qlE
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:31pm
  Look, it’s in the DNA. From Hess, to Marx, Alinsky, Piven, Stern, Sunstein, Emanuel, Axelrod, Bloom, Feinberg, Orszag, Lew, Grayson, Spielberg, Soros… Bloomberg, Jews always want to control other people’s lives. It’s their history. When resisted, they claim to be the victim. Facts are the facts.
  
  Report this comment
- Lotus503
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:49pm
  That’s just what Karl Marx said…
  
  Report this comment
- FLORIDAKRACKER
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:40pm
  This D Bag has been allowing all the wrong elements dictate their desires through the peoples office which he oocupies and concentrates far to much on issues in which he should never delve into. I think each week Politicians become more and more out of touch with Reality!
  
  Report this comment
- sndrman
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:55pm
  i live in his state,bet you it’s a trial balloon from moose-chelle, and other liberals…..oh by the way bloomberg is a republican…..like most elected republicans in ny…………this state is lost in a big big way
  
  Report this comment
- Kevin The Elder
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:01pm
  Thanks to Patty Henry and all the others here who actually understand the rule of government. I thought I was crazy listening to so many on the right in media who disagreed totally with Bloomberg’s stand, yet none seemed to go after him for his opinion about the role of government. I thought I was living in the Twilight Zone until I came here.
  
  Report this comment
- black9897
  Posted on June 15, 2012 at 12:07am
  Remember, no one is taking away anyone’s rights, we’re just forcing you to do something. Government was supposed to protect life, liberty, and property. Meaning it needs to stay out of our lives. Now it’s a giant monster. Nothing more than a group of men and woman offering their services on a violent basis (pay or go to jail). So, they’re nothing but a gang of thieves, liars, and killers. No different than the mafia.
  
  Report this comment
- hallkbrdz
  Posted on June 15, 2012 at 4:46am
  Bloomberg concluded: “Obesity is becoming the single biggest health problem in America and will kill more people than smoking in a few years.”
  
  He’s close. Our obese Govt. – and our struggle to pay for it and still survive, kill more people than smoking – now.
  
  Cut the real fat – Government!
  
  Report this comment
- lukerw
  Posted on June 15, 2012 at 7:00am
  Brutus… Brutus… Brutus… wherefore art thou?
  
  Report this comment
- BSdetector
  Posted on June 15, 2012 at 7:35am
  “[I]f government‘s purpose isn’t to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don’t know what its purpose is,”
  
  New Headline:
  >>>Doomberg Admits He Doesn’t Know What Purpose Of Government Is.<<<
  
  Report this comment
- AZRACISTBIGOT
  Posted on June 15, 2012 at 12:57pm
  Good picture of him in a Nanny outfit.
  I hope that picture resurfaces when he comes up for reelection.
  
  Report this comment
Publius Duo
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:22pm
New Yorkers need to start a recall petition. I guarantee this recall will be unanimous!

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- brother_ed
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:30pm
  @PUBLIUS DUO
  
  Never underestimate the ignorance of New Yorkers.
  
  The only people that are still there are those who can’t afford to leave.
  
  Report this comment
- SageInWaiting
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 7:11pm
  The statistic he failed to mention was the mass exodus from that G forsaken city. Between tyrannical government edicts and a confiscatory tax structure, only those foolish enough to want that crap and blind enough to not see the end result will be there… THEY can have it; the DESERVE IT!
  
  Report this comment
- MAMMY_NUNN
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 8:09pm
  Same happened to Michigan all the taxpayers left and left the low income and those who couldn’t afford to leave. They lost tax revenue and they just created new taxes to punish those left behind to make up the difference.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:22pm
Hey New York Mike, Stay out of Texas!

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RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:21pm
I don’t know, but the more I look at a pic of Doomberg I almost see Emporer Palpentin. He just needs the dark flowing robes with ‘his’ music in the background. Saying, “Turn to the Dark Side, Dude.”

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- HorseCrazy
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:28pm
  yes the resemblence is uncanny haha. I have always noted the dictators of this world like blommberg tend to be pocket people, very tiny with control issues.
  
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gpk
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:20pm
Yo Mikey, why not try this. Reduce taxes by 50% which will in turn result in less agita. Now pass me that “biggie drink.”

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Publius Duo
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:20pm
Someone please get this commie a one-way ticket to any Communist country of his choice. Please?
All hail, Nanny Bloomberg!

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PrincessLocke
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:18pm
“[I]f government‘s purpose isn’t to improve the health and longevity of its citizens, I don’t know what its purpose is,” the mayor said.

He finally admits it! He doesn’t know what he is doing! Now this is a good reason for a recall vote!

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huey6367
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:17pm
It is not and has never been the governments role to protect us from ourselves. If I want to drink 2 liters of soda in a day then that is my perogative. Government can’t manage itself and the people of New York are going to let them manage their lives? New Yorkers are stupid. That is the only conclusion I can come to.

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krispy01
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:15pm
Obviously he doesn’t know what the role of government is ! Schmuck

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RightPolitically
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:15pm
It’s the government’s job to insure our right to Life, Liberty and the “pursuit” of happiness. If that comes in the form of a big ol’ slurpee or a 16 oz. soft drink, so be it!

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- huey6367
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:22pm
  I would call a slurpee happiness – frozen happiness
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:25pm
  I get the feeling that he would support physician assisted suicide though.
  
  Report this comment
- hatchetjob
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:47pm
  I second that! Make mine a double!
  
  Report this comment
ravendoe
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:14pm
No, no Bloomberg it is NOT the government’s role to improve my health, it is mine. It’s between God, my doctor and me. Back away from the 20oz. koolaide…

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- Crazy Times
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:21pm
  @ Ravendoe,
  
  I agree with you, Rave, however, these nut-heads now think it is their role? Why? Because now government has a invested interest into your health, and mine, and the rest of the country…
  
  Beware……of technocrats
  
  Report this comment
broadsword 26C
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:13pm
If you are in New York and are over weight and need to go less than five blocks is the Mayor going to suggest that you walk it instead of grabbing public transportation or a cab. If you don’t walk will there be a fifty dollar surcharge after all it only for your own good.

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Seagal45
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:10pm
Stay the heck out of my life, it is NOT the government’s job to tell us what to eat, drink, smoke or whatever. If you can’t figure it out for yourself then you have a problem, but still NOT government’s job to get involved. This kind of bull makes me so angry.

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SREGN
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:10pm
Whose job is to kick him right in the nuts?

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- Fat Pappy
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:21pm
  That’s done by the voter of NYC, so good luck with that idea!
  
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another pucker
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:10pm
I can’t seem to stop singing the title of this song over and over and over every time I read one of these stories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm2s3-_OFWY

I would be a puppet but not for Blooming Idiot or the government!

XOXOXO

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- Jenny Lind
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:24pm
  I don’t have time to go to the link, so this is a guess-”If I only had a brain” Close?
  
  Report this comment
Unbelievable
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:09pm
He just doesn’t get it!! It’s NOT the governments job to tell us what we can and can not eat/drink!!

If I lived in NYC I would get me a 100 oz cup walk into a 7-11, buy 6-16oz sodas and fill that cup up right there in the store!!

Bloomberg is going way too far!!

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- ravendoe
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:16pm
  @unbelievable It would be way more fun to carry them in a plastic bag to City Hall and fill it up there… just sayin’
  
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- hatchetjob
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:50pm
  Thanks for the laughs!
  
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progressiveslayer
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:09pm
The Mayor is wrong,it isn’t governments job to improve our health especially with idiotic laws like the mayor and other progressives constantly push.It’s food and drinks the type of autos we drive and how much energy we consume,all controlled by idiotic progressives.Why these control freaks are continually kept in power is beyond me and you deserve the government you get.

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Ron Staiger
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:08pm
Democrats and nitwits like Bloomberg are quick to take away a child’s Big Gulp and large popcorn at the theater, replacing them with “Gulping the Big One” and “Popping the Cornhole” at their elementary school. Idiots!

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doomytram
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:07pm
It’s the Government’s ‘Role’ to Improve Your Health: Bloomberg Responds to ‘Nanny’ Critics

Just like it’s the Government’s role to give Snap Stamps to the Obese that have no restrictions on what they buy to eat. Snap Stamps for processed foods (Twinkies, Ding Dongs, PopTarts, Cookies, Snack Cakes, Candy Bars, Donuts, Ice Cream etc.) because it’s racist to regulate what these Snap Stamp recipients buy with their Snap Stamps. Right? so you would think that Food Stamps would imply that you have to buy actual food, because the stuff mentioned above isn’t food for the Obese, it’s Poison. Oh, but you can’t buy a 17 oz. beverage in Doomberg’s welfare wards.

The Farm Bill is such a mess in the District of Corruption, because it has nothing to do with farms, really. It’s about how much in free Twinkies, free breakfast – lunch – and dinner that the communist get to give their welfare wards get… in free Snaps (stamps.

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jakartaman
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:07pm
Bloomburger,

NO – it is not the governments responsibility to insure my diet is healthy.
I am a mature free adult – Thank you for thinking you are smarter than me and that
I need your guidance.
My I humbly suggest You do the job that New Yorkers voted you in office.
Once you have done that – then you can tell me what to do.

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KeystoneState
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:04pm
Eat Ship Bloomberg, its sugar free!

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Micmac
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:03pm
On the smoking comment he made: what if smokers could only smoke 1/2 a cigarette a day? Smoking is a hella lot more unhealthy than a soda. Get these people out of government. This isn’t what government is about. As a student living on 4 hours of sleep a night, soda is an easy fix for staying awake. If we didn’t have that, what next, speed? But New York is New York.

NoBama 2012

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:17pm
  Remember, according to Nanny Bloomberg it’s okay to smoke a little marijuana….in moderation…LOL!
  
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SquidVetOhio
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:59pm
“Anything is OK in moderation”

Spoken like a true facists. He will tell you what is “moderate” because he is smarter than you.

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Tractorboy
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:59pm
NY city voters you vote like children, you get treated like children.

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- FEMALL
  Posted on June 14, 2012 at 4:06pm
  Again,NYC, one photo of this guy shoving pizza in his mouth. You can do it!
  
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RightUnite
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:58pm
Ah, no, Bloomberg, it really isn’t……

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