Final answer:
Michael Bloomberg is mentioned due to his public health efforts to limit sugary drink sizes, which ties into the broader debate about obesity and government regulation in consumer affairs. Prohibition's potential failure is linked to historical examples suggesting that bans do not eliminate demand and can lead to unintended consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Michael Bloomberg is mentioned in both "Ban the Ban!" and "Soda's a Problem, But..." because of his public health initiatives during his tenure as Mayor of New York City, particularly his efforts to limit the size of sugary drinks sold in the city. These initiatives sparked considerable debate about public health policy, personal choice, childhood obesity, and the role of government regulation in consumer behavior, which are central themes in the discussions surrounding these two texts.
The cartoon depicting prohibition as a failure suggests that the author believes bans may not effectively change consumer behavior or reduce desires for the prohibited item. This is likely related to historical examples, such as alcohol prohibition, where despite the law, demand persisted, leading to unintended consequences like the rise of illegal bootlegging. In the case of soda bans, the comparison hints that similar outcomes may occur where individuals find ways to circumvent restrictions, thus failing to address the underlying issues of unhealthy dietary choices.