“Soda” is now a four-letter word in one California town

Let this be a warning, restaurant owners in Davis, CA: Offer a child a soda with their meal and you’ll be fined. A new ordinance passed by the Davis City Council will force eateries to offer milk and water as the default beverage options for children. Offer a Coke and a smile, and you will pay for it!

This is just the latest in a long line of patently ridiculous laws passed, in theory, to curb obesity. What it is in reality is another freedom lost, another attempt by government to wrest control of decisions from parents and business owners.

Unsurprisingly, the media is hailing this move by Big Brother:

In a novel approach to fighting childhood obesity, the Davis City Council voted unanimously this week to approve an ordinance making milk and water the default options for kids’ meals — a victory for parents who want to shield children from sugary beverages.

Let’s be clear, this is in no way a victory for parents, and it’s an outright slap in the face to local restaurant owners. It’s a clear message from the local government that businesses must conform to the government’s wishes, and parents, well, they should probably think twice about giving their child a beverage not approved by the The Powers That Be.

Parents — for now — will still be allowed by government officials to request a soda for their child, but woe unto the establishment that offers it. Happy Meals just got a lot unhappier.