It is not surprising that a proposal to tax soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages did not come to a vote during an Illinois Senate committee hearing yesterday.  People don’t support taxes and bans on common grocery items, like soft drinks.  There have been many attempts around the country to pass soda taxes, but none of them have gotten any traction.

The bottom line is – if we want to get serious about obesity, it starts with education – not laws and regulation.  It’s not the government’s job to dictate what we can and cannot put in our grocery cart – it’s our choice.  Shouldn’t lawmakers focus on what matters most – education, safety and jobs – and leave the grocery shopping to us?