Why not ban, though?

If the state can compel seatbelts and motorcycle helmets, why can't it ban unhealthful foods? I'm not being rhetorical or ironic here - its a serious question. It seems like your "I don't think we should ban junk food is kind of pro forma - an inoculation against the usual suspect types.

The thing is that its not like people don't know that this stuff is bad for them. Yet they do it anyhow and probably for entirely rational reasons - low cost, convenience etc. So the only way to actually solve the problem is going to be the heavy hand of the state imposing some regulation. Otherwise we're just going to be griping about it till the end of time.

Jesus, Lincoln should have just let the South secede.

Mississippi loves it's reputation as shithole of America. They revel in it.

Tax junk food advertising to pay for health care, which would include public info campaigns like there is against tobacco.

My opinion of Mississippi remains unchanged.

@3:

I heard Mississippi is changing its State Motto to: "Fat, Drunk And Stupid IS A Way To Go Through Life"...

I say let them pass it. Only as long as there is a provision that the USA does NOT have to bail out Missippi's bankrupted health care system/hospitals for obese care, and the state is funding the excess that obese care will really cost.

After all, why should my taxes go to pay for the care of some ignorant, mobidly obese person?

Mississippi is one of the unhealthiest states in the nation, and apparently really wants to keep that title.

I don't eat fast food frequently, but I do like seeing the calorie and nutrition information posted and it does affect my ordering decisions.

You really can't fix stupid.

@6 there are tons of dry counties in the very Christian state of Mississippi.

My Gma's town recently got its first Mexican restaurant, but it can't serve margaritas.

So fat and stupid, sure. Drunk? Takes more effort in good ole Miss'ssippi.

This would have never happened under a Dick Molpus administration.

@11,

In that case, warning labels won't harm anyone either, so why oppose them?

According to the CIA, Mississippi is the most obese state in the USA.

I wonder if there is a connection?

Personally, I think Mississippi is a charming state with wonderful folks, great food, and a true gem of the south.

You'd think the fact it is always called junk food would clue people in, perhaps we only need put the "food" part in quotes or drop the food portion altogether since that crap isn't anything remotely resembling actual food.

Phil Ochs had it all correct in his song written about 50 years ago, "Here's To The State Of Mississippi. He sang, "Mississippi find yourself another country to be part of "
One may seriously argue wether or not the state govt. has the right to force people to drink smaller sugar based drinks in a restaurant. But to actually have the audacity to attempt to pass legislation to prevent people to be aware of what they are consuming is absolute stupidity, and reeks of just callous disregard for the rights of the citizen of the state.
Phil Ochs also sang this. "Corruption can be classic in the Mississippi way" How true.
One wonders, how can a state government have representatives that are just so stupid that they would deprive it's citizens of a means of selecting better health choices just so they could be in Mike Bloomberg's face.