I think it's especially important to note that while soda sales have remained steady, the obesity levels continue to rise,so it's not a direct correlation. Is it possible that suagry drinks aren't the ONLY cause for obesity? This tax doesn't seem as cut and dry as taxing ciagrettes, which nobody really needs to survive (unlike food and beverages and even sugar in moderation)and only causes obvious health risks. How about a tax on sedentary lifestyles or big macs? This scares me; where do we draw the line on government taxing us "for our own good"? You can't tax people into better health and chances are, the so called obesity tax money won't be used to its maximum potential. Call me paranoid but I don't trust our government to spend it responsibly.
Cindyof CA6:30PM February 18, 2010
Correct me if I'm wrong but beer and booze is more harmful to our health, so why not increase the tax on that like they did with cigs.And tax the air we breath while your at it that harms our health too.
omarof TX5:57PM May 15, 2009
HOW ABOUT TAXING THE 'SODA-TAX-BUM' FOR EACH WORD HE WORD HE BELCHES! WHY NOT TAX HIM ON EACH LUNG-FULL OF USED AIR HE EXPELS? GIVE THE 'S.O.B.' A TAX ON EVERY THING HE DOES...LET HIM MOVE TO CHICAGO (COOK COUNTY() ILLINOIS AND LET HIM PAY 10% ON THINGS HE BUYS LIKE WE POOR SUCKERS THAT ARE STUCK IN IL. WITH THE LIKES OF DALEY, STROGER AND QUINN.
BOBof IL8:08PM April 11, 2009
The sugar isn't the culprit. PORTION control is. It really is a no win situation. Drink too much sugary soda, get fat. Drink too much diet soda get potential illnesses & cancer due to the chemicals used to "imitate" sugar.
Come on, who are they kidding. My parents knew to raise me with the common sense to eat right, exercise portion control, make healthy choices, and I CHOOSE to make those choices.
Perhaps we could tax the parents who think it's someone elses responsibility to teach and raise the kids that THEY CHOOSE to have to begin with. That way we can force them to teach their kids healthy choices. Prevention of obesity achieved!
Or maybe we should tax the "sin taxes" because I don't feel they benefit me.
Better yet, tax the jets these politicians use to get back and forth because they CHOOSE to live hundreds of miles away from their jobs. Air quaility would improve and they would need less money from taxes.
Again, come on, really, who do they think they're kidding...and the sad part is that we will let it happen.
Lynnof AK1:05PM April 10, 2009
Do politicians just loose all sense of reality once elected?
I vote for a politicain "PAY TAX" we tax the politicians pay check to pay for.
1: allowing so many jobs to be out sourced.
2: not solving real day to day problems (there real jibs)
3: being stupid and solving everything with higher and more taxes
dont most states already have a tax on soda, isnt that double taxation? I thought that was illegal in our country
Victorof CT5:58PM April 09, 2009
Using taxes to influence behavior is nothing new; but it was never right. It's punitive taxation, meant to punish an "undesireable" behavior to force change. So let's extrapolate the concept:
Last summer, gas prices hit $5/gallon or more. At that price, there were noticeably fewer SUVs on the road. People took mass transit, or bought smaller, fuel-efficient cars. There were lots of motorcycles and scooters on the roads, too.
As soon as gas dropped under about $5/gallon, the SUVs came roaring back onto the roads. So when they want us to conserve gas and cut greenhouse emmissions, expect gas to come under a punitive tax, keeping it at $5-$6/gallon year-round.
Or, let's tax fast food. That's unhealthy as anything. A special tax on the drive through. Forget that it would disproportionately affect the poor, many who live in food deserts (no good food, only fast food). Starvation is healthy!
How about we tax stupidity and let Congress pay for itself.
Richof CO5:20PM April 09, 2009
I don't even know what to say to this. Not only are we taxing the mess out of stupid things...but singling groups out in the process!! Is there a such thing differentiating between right and wrong anymore. Hello...this screams discrimination! Watch out...Maybe we can throw a Nation-WIDE Soda Party... I worked so well with the Tea in Boston. If these polititicians didn't have something to tax or someone to pick on they would be bored. Just remember what goes around comes around!
Jamieof GA1:39PM April 09, 2009
I cannot even believe this.I guess cause they lost a trillion dollars and paid banks out for being a failure now they have to find something else to bleed us for. Our government is out of control.
I also am sick of the"good intentions" crap they keep trying to push off on us. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. People need to be allow to make their own decisions and also have the responsiblity of those decisions. That's what being a free person is all about.
My parents never had soda in the house growing up. We got milk,water and sometimes juice.As a result I have never really had a desire for soda. I think its what you are brought up with not what the government dictates to you that determines the choices you make.
Please can we stop turning into Nazi Germany.
SRYof MT1:37PM April 09, 2009
How about before we add a tax, we decrease the government subsidies for corn, which ends up sweetening sodas, twinkies, etc.
Adamof FL1:34PM April 09, 2009
How about instituting a healthy school lunch programs. High scools here sell Pizza Hut IN THE LUNCH ROOM! Don't even get me started on the nasty, greasy shool lunch I was subjected to.
Another thought. Get rid of pop machines in the schools, and increase PE classes.
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Cindy of CA 6:30PM February 18, 2010
omar of TX 5:57PM May 15, 2009
BOB of IL 8:08PM April 11, 2009
Lynn of AK 1:05PM April 10, 2009
Victor of CT 5:58PM April 09, 2009
Rich of CO 5:20PM April 09, 2009
Jamie of GA 1:39PM April 09, 2009
SRY of MT 1:37PM April 09, 2009
Adam of FL 1:34PM April 09, 2009
e-man of CO 1:14PM April 09, 2009