Nancy and Harry want you to choose the best candy bar

By Peter Wilson

A sample of the level of detail in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare):

SEC. 4205

H) RESTAURANTS, RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, AND VENDING MACHINES

(viii) VENDING MACHINES.-

(I) IN GENERAL.-In the case of an article of food sold from a vending machine that-

(aa) does not permit a prospective purchaser to examine the Nutrition Facts Panel before purchasing the article or does not otherwise provide visible nutrition in formation at the point of purchase; and

(bb) is operated by a person who is engaged in the business of owning or operating 20 or more vending machines, the vending machine operator shall provide a sign in close proximity to each article of food or the selection button that includes a clear and conspicuous statement disclosing the number of calories contained in the article.

Soon we will be able to make an informed choice between Snickers, M&Ms and Doritos. Truly history-making.

My only contact with vending machines is at rest areas, when I need a caffeine and sugar infusion to keep me in my lane. I already know I shouldn't buy the stuff, but I figure one Coke won't kill me. A little calorie sticker isn't going to change my destructive habits. I'm sure this is aimed at vending machines in schools, with some connection to the Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project (which by the way received $25 million for each budget year from 2010 to 2014).

Okay, so putting up a sign with the calories in a candy bar isn't the end of western civilization. But it's a bit creepy that grown men and women sit around thinking this is so important that the federal government needs to get involved.