Dialogue between Balko and Zincenko

*Two health activists, Radley Balko and David Zincenko, happen to bump into each other in the crowd of Michael Bloomberg's speech about the Soda tax. The following is the conversation they have on the topic of what Bloomberg is trying to do.*

Radley Balko: *chanting along with crowd* We want our soda! We want our soda! We want our soda!

David Zincenko: *starts chanting on his own* Put the tax! Put the tax! Put the tax!

Radley Balko: (To David) Excuse me, what are you doing?

David Zincenko: Chanting, the same as you are. *continues lone chant*

Radley Balko: Well you're the only one chanting "Put the ban" when the rest of us are chanting against it.

David Zincenko: Yes I am, what of it?

Radley Balko: Well, could you please stop doing that? You're disturbing what the majority of us are trying to do.

David Zincenko: And what exactly are you trying to do.

Radley Balko: Trying to put an end to this ridiculous tax before it even starts.

David Zincenko: Why in the world would you do that? This is going to help the obesity issue in New York!

Radley Balko: Putting a tax on soda isn’t going to solve such a large issue! Any government should never intervene in the food desires of Americans.

David Zincenko: Well if the government doesn’t make such a big fuss or try to intervene, then the obesity problems will only get worse! Such a push for the tax is making Americans see how bad the issue really is. It’s making them realize what they’re doing to themselves and to their families.

Radley Balko: What Americans do with their own bodies is their choice. Any opinion concerning their health should not in any way be pushed upon them like this. Aren’t we a free country? Isn’t that the brand we have made for ourselves? Well, if we’re so free, then why should we have politicians forcing such health regulations on us?

David Zincenko: America is known to be the most obese country in the world. And the government is partially at fault for it because they don’t push enough regulations as this. Americans need to be restrained in order to live a healthier life style, it would lower the number of people with health related illnesses all over the country, it would give the country means to cultivate natural foods more, everyone would just be happier. Everyone should be pushing this tax. It seems small now being in only one city, but New York City is one of if not the most famous cities in the country. This will get the health regulation ball rolling and in the future the country itself will be so much better because of it.

Radley Balko: Right now you’re defending the minimal opinion, as you can see here, most New Yorkers are against it. And they are against it because they share in my view that they should be able to live their own lives and do as they please. The only thing the government should do to regulate the health issues is promote healthy eating and living. Simply promote the advantages of it, and not force it like this.

David Zincenko: You know what, you have your opinion, and I have mine. It’s not like our arguing is going to save American, so let’s just be done with this and do what we came here for.

Radley Balko: For once, I agree.

*Both continue on yelling out their opposing chants.* 

Thesis: Even with the ever-present obesity problem in America, Michael Bloomberg's Soda Tax will do nothing but encourage consumers to rebel and ignore the government's tries o enforce health regulations.