Nanny State Bloomberg cuts ads, pays for them, to perpetuate Crook County soda tax lie

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are," Ronald Reagan said, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is the principal promoter of the idea as government as a Nanny State. "Don't drink soda," Bloomberg warns, "it's bad for you," is something he'll say.

I'm someone who believes people should make their own decisions, for better or worse.

But Bloomberg, or formally his charity, is buying into and paying for the lie that Cook County's hugely unpopular soda tax is about health. He's wrong. I've heard his cloying radio spots--yes, they're sweet--but like a sugar rush from a Big Gulp--the pleasure is gone almost immediately.

From AP:

Bloomberg's charity announced Thursday that $2 million will be spent on television, radio and digital ads. The ads will contend the tax could help fight "the epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes" and support Cook County hospitals and health programs.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle broke a tie vote in November to approve the tax. She initially contended she was motivated by the health concerns voiced by Bloomberg. She has since acknowledged it was more to raise revenue.

Preckwinkle has faced increasing criticism since the tax went into effect this month.

A court challenge by the Illinois Retail Merchants Association failed to prevent its collection.

Taxwinkle shot the myth that the soda tax was about health after she sued the IRMA for $17 million in lost revenue because they were able to delay its implementation for a month.

It's about the money--Nanny Bloomberg--not health. Now please crawl back to New York.

As for Crook County's massive health care system, I have a better idea--tax people less so businesses will stop moving out of Chicago and its inner suburbs. Maybe some new businesses will relocate here. Then users of county health care can receive private-sector insurance instead and there'll be less of a need for Taxwinkle's expensive socialist empire.