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Kevin Puleo

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Bloomberg: Humanitarian or dictator?

Just saw that Bloomberg is now trying to remove cigarettes from eye sight in stores throughout New York City. I'm sure that most of you have heard of his attack on sugary drinks and the such in the prior months. Do you consider this to be change for the better or just a way for him to show how much control he has over the lives of people in NYC? Can't the people of New York City make the decisions for themselves?

Topics: Bloomberg govenor government laws mayor regulations
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    Robert Winner 50+

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    Mar 20 2013: To quote Pat Gilbert, "politicians have two goals 1) get elected and : 2) Get re-elected."

    PT Barnum once said, "Print anything you want just spell my name right."

    Bloomberg is the 7th richest man in America at approximately 27 Billion. He claims Independent as a political party but would be welcomed into either camp.

    One of the most basic and fundamental points in Poly/sci is name recognition. Many times people will check the name not recalling if the memory relating to the name is either good or bad.

    Bloomberg wins by big margines. If he wants something to become a issue ... he makes it an issue. Love him or hate him ... makes no difference. He can sponsor all of these issues he wants it is not within his power to make them law. However, in the meantime he garnering billions of dollars in free media attention. Good for a politician and great for even a big ego such as his.

    Bob.

  • Kevin Puleo

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    Mar 20 2013: I just feel that increasing the retention rate of students in high school to educate them about the effects bad substances have on your body would be more beneficial then half the stuff he is trying to implement.

    Does moving it really have much of an impact? When children, starting at a very young age, see their parents smoking cigarettes wouldn't they already feel more inclined to smoke them? Is there any proof that moving cigarette cartons out of sight would decrease the sales? I feel that moving the placement of cigarettes is a very trivial improvement and is more of a weak attempt to show that he cares about the public.
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    Lawren Jones 10+

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    Mar 19 2013: Bloomberg is smart enough to know these ideas can't possibly pass. It's a publicity stunt to make it look like he's trying to take positive action.

  • Zdenek Smith 100+

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    HostAssociate
    Mar 19 2013: I think Bloomberg is trying to introduce positive influence on people of New York City.

    Why do cigarettes need prominent position in stores if we know the cost to the society in terms of healthcare cost? I know this was implemented already in other places in North America and it helps to shield kids and young from unnecessary "advertising" of these products?

    Similarly to sugary drinks do we allow corporations to push their unhealthy products or reasonably limit their reach, again because of hidden health cost that society has to pay?

  • greg dahlen 20+

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    Mar 19 2013: I think these things like cigarettes and soda are somewhat addictive thus people can't entirely make the decision for themselves. So I agree with Bloomberg.
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    Scott Bell

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    Mar 19 2013: He is worth $27 Billion. Purchase the worlds LARGEST and BEST advertising firm and compete head-to-head and toe-to-toe for the HEARTS & MINDS of the Littles. Our Media Industrial Complex has proven that it's possible to win these hearts and minds. Be a man Mr. Bloomberg. Throw some money where it counts.

    Option 2: Offer 5 Billion to any team of scientists that cracks & solves the ADDICTION cycle. It's all just CODE.......Hack it for Pete's sake.
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    Farokh Shahabi Nezhad 10+

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    TED Translator
    Mar 19 2013: I think this is a good idea. Even if someone likes something like ciggarettes and such that are addictive, we should not encourage that or advertise it.

  • george lockwood 20+

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    Mar 19 2013: I would probably be more out there for reasons I consider helpful and important than he is now. Both problems are real problems Imagine you could reduce diabetes or lung disease. Bloomberg can really help if people go along with his ideas. Kevin - Heres a simple thought experiment You have a physician who cares about your health. Now raise your weight to 325 pounds and go to your doc with a burning cigarette in your mouth. Just suppose you did and imagine what happens if he allows you to stay and talks to you.
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    pat gilbert 50+

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    Mar 19 2013: Excellent question.

    Politicians have 2 purposes, neither one is about you.

    1) get elected

    2) get reelected

    Bloomberg is no exception

    New Yorkers and Californians are exceptionally obtuse.
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      Scott Bell

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      Mar 19 2013: Agreed.....though the weather out here on the coast is exceptionally obtuse today :-) And Jerry Brown seems to be flying below the radar for some reason.
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        pat gilbert 50+

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        Mar 20 2013: Brown has the media in his hip pocket.
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