New York City used to be the beacon city of the "Land of the Free." Used to be. Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to ban the sale of giants-sized sugary beverages.

The ban would end the sales of sodas larger than 16oz in places where they're most popular, including restaurants and movie theaters. According to Bloomberg, the empty calories in soda has helped lead our nation into obesity.

I don't know about you, but I hope this proposal doesn't pass. It's one thing for Bloomberg to trailblaze with some of the strictest smoking bans in the country, but this affects the rights of individuals. And it isn't hard to imagine the ban spreading to other cities if passed.

Ordinary people aren't the only ones upset about the proposed ban. The soft drink industry is particularly displeased with it. In a statement on Thursday, Coca-Cola said "New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase." The company is not alone.

Former White House press secretary Dana Perino, who served under President George W. Bush, tweeted, "Something about government banning huge sugary drinks that makes me want to chug a mountain dew. And I haven't chugged the dew in years."

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