Taxes to Fight Obesity?

[The Northerner]

Proposal would Slap Hefty Fee on Sugar-Filled Drinks

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Feel like you're taxed enough already? More could be coming. There's an early push to explore taxing soft drinks that are sweetened with sugars – all to get you to stop buying them. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports it's all about obesity.

A coalition of groups is in the very early stages of mapping out a plan to fight fat in Illinois. Sugared beverage consumption has tracked with rising obesity rates – so it's getting some attention.

Pop after pop might feel good going down, but it can put on the pounds. That's the case with any higher calorie drink.

Illinois Public Health Institute CEO Elissa Bassler said, "Maybe changing the ways we use beverages can be a part of handling obesity."

The idea is spreading across the country and here in Illinois, home to the fourth worst rate of childhood obesity. Enter tax talk.

Read more: http://cbs2chicago.com/local/soda.tax.obesity.2.1803209.html

[DJ13]

1. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports it's all about obesity.

No, its all about another consumption tax in an effort to shift more of the tax burden on the lower classes.

[Obamanaut]

4. And if the 'lower classes', or any of the classes, do not use the product

with the increased taxes, they are not affected.

The only ones of any class who are affected are the ones who continue to buy the stuff - tobacco, sugared beverages, any of it.

[DJ13]

5. Taxes should not be used as punishment for using legal products

If something is considered that kind of risk outlaw it.

Taxing it is just a means to increasing government revenues by hurting those who can least afford it.

[Donnachaidh]

2. I'd be fine with taxing drinks with high fructose corn syrup.

THAT is the shit causing all sorts of problems.

[damntexdem]

3. About time. The same argument can be used as with tobacco: Medicaid costs.

They can use my slogan: "Don't be ill in Il."

[SocialistLez]

6. Why not end the subsidies that make unhealthy foods so much cheaper than healthy foods?

Instead of going after the people who buy these products and have very little control over their cost, why not go straight to the source? The subsidies!!

I cannot blame people who buy the unhealthy food when the healthy food costs more.
Sure in the long run unhealthy food costs more: medical costs but when you're not making much money (wages have not grown in a decade, if not longer), it's in your best interest to buy the unhealthy food.

Hmmmm do I want a taco from Taco Bell or an apple for a dollar?

[FooshIt]

7. as long as its rebated right back to the pockets of the poor

who will be paying most of this tax

[Ezlivin]

8. Fat chance

Personal responsibility has to kick in at some point.

No worry: The coming apocalypse will slim everyone down quickly!