The Growing Police State: Your Diet Edition

Whatever happened to "Keep your hands off my body?"  Seriously, why does the government think it has any business a) telling a business what they can sell in what quantities or b) telling consumers what they can buy and in what quantities?

The latest comes from New York City (shocker, I know) as the group which was hand picked by Mayor Michael "Nanny" Bloomberg has started thinking about what- beyond the size of sugary drinks- they can limit for you.  Because, you know, you're too stupid and lazy to choose for yourself.

Among the options?  Popcorn.  Bruce Vladeck, a member of the board, says this: "The popcorn isn't a whole lot better than soda."

Also on the chopping block- your trip to Steak and Shake, or even Starbucks.  Says Dr. Joel Forman, also on the board, "There are certainly milkshakes and milk-coffee beverages that have monstrous amounts of calories."

What.  The.  Hell.

Let me explain something to you, nanny-staters: it's not your freaking business.  If I want to load up on milkshakes and popcorn and soda, that's not your problem.  You think it's too expensive to pay for fat people's health care?  How about this- stop making me pay for other people's health care.  I'd much rather do that than allow you to tell me what I can buy at a restaurant or movie theater.

What, Mayor Bloomberg, you've solved all the other problems in NYC?  There is no more crime to fight?  You're not hemorrhaging population?

But, of course, the point is not the sugary drinks, or the obesity, or anything like that.  The point is power.  Specifically the point is exert power over you in little ways, ways that you won't protest too much, just to get you used to obeying.  Once that habit is set in, the more onerous restrictions start- but by then you're just used to doing what you're told.  This is not just a little issue.  This isn't some funny story; it should absolutely fill with righteous anger anyone who loves liberty and hates tyranny.

Tyranny rarely, if ever, starts as a dictatorial regime.  It usually starts small, with matters normally considered inconsequential.