In a move that many conservatives would consider furthering the "nanny state", this week Michigan representative Brian Calley (R) introduced legislation that would keep Michigan establishments from selling energy drinks to underage children.
According to the article at the Ionia Sentinal Standard web site:
"those younger than 17 would be prohibited from purchasing energy drinks with a caffeine content exceeding 71 milligrams per one 12-ounce serving, as well as containing taurine and glucuronolactone."
In an effort to bolster his opinion that such legislation falls into the mainstream, he points to the fact that children are already prohibited from purchasing music, movies and video games, and that his intent is put the decision in the hands of parents as to whether or not their children should be allowed to have access to what many say may be dangerous substances, especially when overly used by developing children.
To be against protective legislation such as this would be against everything that I believe to be true. Government must be able to protect it's citizens from harm, and government has to be a firewall between its citizens looking for safe products that enhance their lives, and corporations who's inherent goal is to make money.
Yet somehow I am apprehensive about the goal in this case. Mr. Calley claims that his intent is "to give more control to area parents, who can make choices for their developing children". The implication in such a sentence (that parents have no control over the buying habits of their children) gives me pause. While claiming control issues for parents on one hand , and writing state legislation that places said control, (and the repercussions of infringement) in the hands of the clerk at the quickie mart, in the other... seems to be a bit disingenuous.
If we find that these drinks have a detrimental effect on the people for who they are intended, and they contain large amounts of drugs that neither you, or I know the effects of, should we not consider more stringent legislation? They are either safe for use, or not. Until this can be determined, maybe these drinks should be under the control of the FDA, clearly labeled as dangerous, or outlawed all together. Pushing the myth that parents have no control over their children's buying habits, sidesteps the point that these drinks may be dangerous.
As I have said, (and as Rep. Calley apparently believes) government must help protect it's citizens. If in fact these drinks are that dangerous, any legislation regarding them, should do much more than merely allow the government to supersede parenting choices.
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