Hogwash

“I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.”
-Thomas Jefferson-

When I thought of the title “Hogwash” I liked it.  I liked it so much I named this blog that before I had any idea of what I might think was really hogwash.  I didn’t want it to be about washing a hog.  It had to be about something well known that I didn’t agree with …. so here is what I finally came up with.  I think Mayor Bloomberg and his idea about limiting the sale of  16 ounce sodas is hogwash.

It’s about making everyone else do what he wants them to do according to his own beliefs and not what they might want to do. Sometimes when power is given to folks it does good.  Other times it really goes to their head and they get involved in things that are beyond what their authority should be.  Actually, I think what size drink folks order should not be of any business to a mayor.  He's just a mayor.  He's not a king. 

So, tell me just what is the job of a town mayor?  I guess a better question might be what is the job of the major of New York City?  It seems he feels it is his job to control drinking in New York City.  Oh no … not alcoholic beverages but soda pop.

I’ve got to say I never ever order a 16 ounce sugary drink. I rarely order a soda at all but if I do, it’s going to be a diet one and it's not going to be a 16 ounce drink.   That’s not the point though.  I'm amazed that people of that city would allow a mayor to get away with regulating the size of drink they are allowed to order at a restaurant.  Only time will tell on that one but either way it is certainly hogwash in my opinion.

I’m sure you’ve read this story.  It's splashed all over the news about Mr. Bloomberg wanting to ban drinks larger than 16 ounces from nearly all dining establishments in the city.  However, there are many exemptions to this and some of those exemptions include drinks with far more calories or sugar content than the soda he wants to ban.  The idea is to reduce obesity.  Perhaps, the future of specials at a fast food restaurant might include two 10 oz drinks for the price of one. 

No one can really argue that obesity is not a problem but does the mayor of a town have it within his authority to regulate the food and calorie limitation for people?  Mayor Bloomberg wants to set the limit on qualifying drinks at 25 calories or more so diet drinks are exempt.  Fruit juice is exempt, smoothies are exempt and so are milkshakes.  What?  Many of those exempt drinks have loads of calories and some so many more calories than the soda he wants to ban.

This mayor isn’t the only one trying to micro-manage others with his new ban.  All of a sudden there are other targets out there.  What about McDonald’s being targeted to stop putting toys in Kids meals?  I thought that was hogwash too.  Disney just announced they would no longer run ads for junk food. However,  I think that's fine since it's Disney accepting their own commercial ads and not telling them what they can or cannot do.  It’s just when a political figure tries to regulate his constituents in this way that I feel is hogwash. 

What’s next? Will it be the donuts or a limit to the size of pizza or even the number of French fries in a bag.  What about the triple whammy hamburger? Will you be limited to two patties instead of three because of calorie content? Will hamburger be replaced with ground turkey? It’s like a tax. Once you allow it, who knows where it will end.   

It's not whether a 16 oz. soda is a good idea or not.  It’s the idea that the mayor feels he has the authority to regulate the size of a soda folks in his town can buy.  That I believe is the hogwash.  There are many, many things that are much worse than a 16 oz. cup of Pepsi.  Is it just a matter of time before birthday cakes will be banned?  Where will it stop?

Just across the river in New Jersey there is another little issue.  It seems a new law may come into play soon.  It's regarding a required seat belt for your pet.  The fine is big bucks if Fido isn't buckled in.  

 

Oh well  …  we’re heading to McDonald’s to get a couple sodas while we can ….. that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!  (Actually, that's my opinion today ... subject to change should I decide to run for political office.) ..... I also know some of my RVing friends will be really mad at me for posting so many pictures of food.  It's something we all have a weakness for.

‘Tis life on the road.