After work, I’m stopping by CVS and buying some Cheez-Its
Mayor Bloomberg enjoys Cheez-Its. So do I. They’re a delicious snack that really deliver a cheese explosion. I’m not sure what it is about them; maybe it’s the half-gram of trans fat found in every serving. Who knows. All I know is that I’m a fan. A big fan.
But Mayor Bloomberg, the trans fat foe? The same guy who successfully spearheaded its total ban in New York City restaurants? That seems odd. I thought making something illegal generally reflected personal and moral opposition to that thing and its use. But, eh…I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised. Consistency was never a strong suit for paternalists.
But jumping on the bandwagon? Oh yeah. It’s a collectivist impulse! And Boston is the latest city planning to follow suit. As the Boston Herald reports:
The Boston Public Health Commission took a major step toward banning harmful trans fats from all city eateries yesterday, when members officially opened a two-month public comment session on their proposed health measure. If all goes as commissioners plan, in about 18 months, all city schools, restaurants and hospitals will be prohibited from using the artery-clogging artificial substance in their foods.
Unfortunately, the freedom to eat what you want isn’t the only freedom fading away for Bostonians. How about the freedom to get health care where you want? Not if Boston’s mayor gets his way! As the Boston Globe reports:
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today blasted a state decision that paves the way for CVS. corp and other retailers to open medical clinics inside their stores.
The justification? In the mayor’s own words: “Allowing retailers to make money off of sick people is wrong.”
Really? Really?!
Hmm….I’d love to see the quality of health care after adopting that moral presciption.
