Who died and made Bloomy the arbiter of what is and isn’t too much soda?

(Reuters) — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg offered a full-throated defense of his proposed ban on large-size sugary sodas on Friday, calling criticism of the proposal “ridiculous” and saying his city is again leading the way in taking on critical health issues.

“I look across this country, and people are obese, and everybody wrings their hands, and nobody’s willing to do something about it,” Bloomberg said on his weekly radio show.

“I would criticize the federal government for not doing anything,” the health-conscious Bloomberg added on WOR radio’s John Gambling show. “I would criticize the state governments for not doing anything, but in the end, it’s the cities that do things.”

On Wednesday, Bloomberg proposed a far-reaching ban on sugary sodas larger than 16 ounces (about half a liter) in most restaurants, theaters, delis and vending carts throughout the city. It could take effect as early as next March, city officials have said.

“Nobody is taking away any of your rights,” Bloomberg said later in the broadcast. “This way, we’re just telling you ‘That’s a lot of soda.'”