As the American public defends its title as back-to-back world obesity champions, state and city legislatures are taking it upon themselves to curb the health problems of an overweight nation. According to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a staggering 34 percent of the U.S. population is obese, making it the largest epidemic in America.

In one effort to quell obesity, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a policy that would ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces in public establishments including movie theaters and restaurants.

The ban was set to go into effect last week, but was rejected by a New York judge.

[quote]The soda ban represents the government policing our bodies and controlling routine activities under the ever-increasing reach of the law. [/quote]

The ruling by New York Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling is a triumph for personal freedoms and should serve as a foundation for shooting down intrusive government policies in the future.

Arbitrary implementation of nanny state enforcement is far worse than adverse health effects of a sugary drink. The ban would set a dangerous precedent in which overreaching governmental power would become the norm.

If someone in New York wants a cheeseburger that replaces the bun with more cheese and bacon, that is his choice. If somebody wants enough sugary Mountain Dew Baja Blast to fill a swimming pool, who is the United States government to tell him otherwise?

In all seriousness, the failure of the ban is crucial in that it protects Americans freedom to make decisions for themselves. Bloomberg’s effort to pass this ban is an inappropriate extension of his personal fight against American obesity.

The government should know better than to try and pass this legislation. The American people do not need a nanny state. We need a government that stops imposing arbitrary laws on our bodies and instead works proactively to engineer real change. The government has enough resources and capable minds to foster change without infringing on our basic civil liberties. Yes, something must be done about obesity, but it must extend past applying a cosmetic cover-up that extends into the pores of American society.

The soda ban will surely resurface with new amendments and provisions. When that happens, just remember: Your right to drink soda is based on the right to control your own body — a right that the government has demonstrated with increasing intensity it has no interest in letting you have.