And so it begins, one step at a time

The FDA has decided that it's going to start "working with" the food industry to gradually decrease the salt levels in foods.

Oh really?

A lot of people will come out and say, "Hey, they're just trying to keep people healthy.  What's the matter with reducing salt intake?"  There's nothing wrong with reducing salt intake, but let me, MYSELF, decide whether or not I want to do that.  Tell me where in the Constitution it says that the government has the right or responsibility to regulate the health of its citizens.

Some people have good intentions with this.  They think that they're making a "healthy America" or something.  But they don't understand the danger in this.  It sets a precedent that the government is allowed into the individual's life. 

"But it's just one small thing they're doing!" they'll say.  The nanny state will not take over your life all at once.  It needs to do it slowly and in a way that you won't notice.  How would you try to move a pile of 1000 bricks?  Would you try to lift them all together at once or just take a few at a time?

And isn't it ironic that they decided to start this after the health care bill was passed?  They only talked about doing it before, but now the plan is in place.  With the government taking steps to take over the health care system, they're going to have to start determining where the funds go.  And yes, I mean rationing.  If the government's going to be paying for your health care, they're going to want to reserve the right to tell you how to keep your health.

Still not convinced about nanny state?  The group lobbying for the FDA to regulate salt is the Center for Science and Public Interest, founded by Michael Jacobson (who has a column on the Huffington Post).  He's got a huge problem with soda and wants it to be required that warning labels be placed on soda cans and bottles that warn about tooth decay and obesity.  Seriously, who doesn't know that soda can do that to you if you drink too much of it?  He also was an important person in getting calorie counts to be included on the menu boards in fast food restaurants in the Affordable Health Choices Act. (1)  Once again, who doesn't know that a Big Mac is bad for you?  According to his Wikipedia page, "Jacobson advocates higher taxes on unhealthy foods, greater use of warning labels on food and beverage packaging, restrictions on advertising and selling junk foods (“snack foods"), and lawsuits against food producers and retailers whose practices he believes are detrimental to public health." (2)  High taxes on "unhealthy" foods and restriction on junk food?  The Center of Consumer Freedom has named him the "nanny of the year" three times. (2)

You see, society nowadays is very conscious of its health.  If a company can make a product that tastes good but is healthier than competition at a competitive price, people will buy it.  Let each individual decide what he or she eats.  Hey government, stop poking your nose into my life, I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions.

(1)  http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=44028
(2)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_F._Jacobson