New Yorkers are well aware of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s war against unhealthy food. He banned the use of trans fats, forced chain restaurants to post calorie counts, and has declared salt a public enemy. Now his rage turns against sugary drinks (which seems to be turning Slate’s liberals into hardcore libertarians!)

However, according to the New York Times, Bloomberg’s concerns about food might have more to do with his own body-image issues than his concern for the health of New Yorkers:

As a billionaire in one of the dining capitals of the world, he can eat anything he wants. But he is obsessed with his weight — so much so that the sight of an unflattering photo of himself can trigger weeks of intense dieting and crankiness, according to friends and aides.
His food issues have become New York City’s. Although he has described his battle against unhealthy foods as common-sense public policy that will shed pounds (and save lives), many of his targets overlap with his own cravings.

Way to tie your hands, Mr. Mayor.

Here is a good piece by Richard Williams of the Mercatus Center about the futility of soda taxes.