The Statist philosophy: we'll decide what's best for you

NYC Mayor Bloomberg: Government has right to ‘infringe on your freedom’

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Sunday: Sometimes government does know best. And in those cases, Americans should just cede their rights.

"I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom," Mr. Bloomberg said, during an appearance on NBC. He made the statement during discussion of his soda ban — just shot down by the courts — and insistence that his fight to control sugary drink portion sizes in the city would go forth.

"We think the judge was just clearly wrong on this," he said, on NBC. "Our Department of Health has the legal ability to do this. ... [They're] not banning anything."

Mr. Bloomberg's remaining months in office have included a firestorm of regulations and policy pushes on wide range of issues. Aside from the soda size ban and a well-publicized call for tighter gun control, another contentious policy he pushed: Nudging hospitals to lock up baby formula to force mothers to breast-feed newborns.