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Question of the Week: Do you agree with the NYC Mayor's proposed ban on sugary drinks over 16 ounces?
Posted by Randy | June 08, 2012
Based upon recommendations from the New York City Obesity Task Force Plan to Prevent and Control Obesity, the Mayor of New York City proposed a ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made the fight against obesity a top priority, but the proposed measure has received mixed reactions nationwide. Opponents of the ban argue that it represents a far-reaching and inappropriate expansion of government, and soda industry advocates argue the proposal unfairly singles out one industry. On the other hand, proponents, including some health professionals, are advocating for the measure as a step towards promoting healthier eating habits.

According to the New York Times, the plan would ban all sugary drinks over 16 ounces including sodas, sweetened iced tea, energy drinks and high sugar fruit drinks high in sugar content. Before taking effect, this proposal would require approval from the Board of Health.

instaPoll: Do you agree with the NYC Mayor's proposed ban on sugary drinks over 16 ounces?

(  ) Yes - The proposal represents a reasonable response to the problem of obesity.

(  ) No - The proposal represents an unreasonable expansion of government regulation.

(  ) Unsure

(  ) Other (leave your comments below)

Take the poll here.
Comments
Users are solely responsible for the opinions they post here and their comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Congressman Forbes.
  • Ron Ferguson commented on 6/8/2012
    This is beyond ridiculous. What ever happened to personnal choice and responsibility? Big brother needs to stay out of this.
  • Thomas G commented on 6/8/2012
    Congressman Forbes...you cannot possibly be serious with this poll question. It is no wonder sir that the people in this district are so frustrated with you and this congress that have totally failed this country, and your inaction is harming our great nation. I am shocked sir that you would ask the public for feedback on something like this before you adjorn for ANOTHER week of no accomplishment. If you want to remain in the congress then you need to immediately change course. I hope sir, after week after week after week of numerous complaints on this board regarding your poll questions that you would apologize to the constituents for the alarming disconnect. At least Mayor Bloomberg acts...you sir do absolutely nothing...and the question suggests you would rather people consume too much, get sick, require medical attention and then pull the plug on grandma because of the republican obsession with greed.
  • Chris Bacon commented on 6/8/2012
    Choices on what to eat or drink is not the domain of the government and never should be; the same can be said for drugs, but thats a huge issue aside. As much as I would love for people to stop engaging in unhealthy behavior, it is not my place to decide how people should run their lives. People need to take responsibility for their own actions and making sure this happens is one of the sole resposibilities of government.(to be clear, I mean enforcing laws for such things as murder, stealing, etc, things where direct harm comes to other people)
  • Chris Johnston commented on 6/9/2012
    THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS, what is it that the Mayor hopes to accomplish by this? Will people not be able to by a six-pack of 16oz bottles? How about a 12 pack of 12oz cans? Is that not more than 16ozs?? Does it not already say on the side of the bottle what a serving size is? So .. if I am a person and I am at McDonald's we will say...... Oh boy .... a 16oz cup is largest they are allowed to sell now ... OH BOY .. and now they can't have free refills .... WHAT STOPS ANYONE FROM BUYING MORE THAN ONE CUP??? If the Mayor or anyone else wants to spend TAX PAYERS money on such BS, then maybe they should spend it on teaching people how to READ a label and teaching them that soda is no good for them in the first place. AGAIN I SAY THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!! It is my opinion that your office should NOT support such BS and that things like this should just be put on a list on your web page of things your office openly does NOT support with a brief message of why you don't support them. C.J. P.S. I have been reading threw the available information on what you and your office is doing to help the Virginia economy. It seems that you all are heading in the right direction on such matters. Please continue to work diligently on helping our economy to recover and keeping it from going into another recession.
  • Thomas G commented on 6/9/2012
    It's already become clear what you are trying to do congressman Forbes. You are not interested in feedback from your district on this. Do you think we are stupid? You posted this question to incite disgust among the masses for purely political gamemanship and you should be ashamed that you've allowed your own patriotic feeling to be so shamefully manipulated by other right wing tea party extremists. Mayor Bloomberg is smart enough to realize America has become fat, and corporate America more than anything else is responsible for it. You do not support vital resources to ensure the health of this country, that is clear from positions you've taken and already documented on this blog. If ever there was a pull the plug on grandma congressman you sir are the poster child on it. I can see that there is still an element out there, similar to the gun nuts, profit over protection, greed over grace and the nuts looking for a communist behind every tree you count on to further divisiveness in America. So please sir, let the challenged from Fox News descend into their world of silliness and approach the voters with serious content. I am disgusted with this question.
  • Donna Wike commented on 6/9/2012
    I think ALL governments should stay out of our personal lives. What we eat or drink? What next? Determining what time we can bathe, shave, and sleep?
  • Ml Anderson commented on 6/9/2012
    Can you have a poll, for 1 time, I beg, that list choices~ not have any commentary attached to choices; it would be refreshing; otherwise still have bias polls :(
  • Michael Manard commented on 6/11/2012
    Randy, surely you have MORE IMPORTANT things to concern yourself with than whether or not New Yorkers can get a Big Gulp. New Yorkers are NOT your constituents and, frankly, we do not care what limits they choose to impose on themselves. As an alternative, perhaps you could spend a little time trying to secure some federal dollars to fund the desperately needed road repairs in YOUR DISTRICT.
  • Rich Reviello commented on 6/11/2012
    Congressman, with all the stuff going on, in the country your worried about New York City and soft drinks ? There are many things that are banned that are not good for us never heard you poll people for those actions. Things such as smoking, never once heard you say anything about that. For once try polling in a non-partisan way about something that has real meaning to the people of your District. This poll question is a joke, much like Congress!
  • Lee Halyard commented on 6/14/2012
    I think this is the time to implement some sort of a FLAT TAX. This will dramatically broaden the tax base where everyone will surely pay their fair share. The old traditional method of income tax and taxing businesses based on their income has outlived its useful purpose. We must get alot more people paying their fair share and a FLAT/FAIR TAX is the appropriate tool to accomplish that
  • James Burtner commented on 6/14/2012
    So, what will be next? Does the government have to plan out our meals for us too? Do they get to decide what portions we are or aren't allowed to eat. Do they get to determine how much exercise we have to have each and every week? Do they get to make up our daily schedules. YOU have to be up at 6 Am, at the gym by 6:30 am and work out for an hour and a half. Then you can walk to work and be there by 9 am, and if you do this every day, then you can avoid the 250 dollar fine. Some folks just really don't have a clue what progressive means, do they. Well, you might want to figure it out unless you want to lose your freedom for good.
  • todd kennedy commented on 6/15/2012
    The biased poll is biased. How about something that matters here in the 4th district? Not NYC. Less government, less taxes, more freedom.
  • William Hauser commented on 8/9/2012
    I hate to see my tax money goes waste
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