http://demockracy.com/the-case-for-the-obesity-tax/ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:23:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 http://demockracy.com/the-case-for-the-obesity-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-1520 janet Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:03:31 +0000 http://demockracy.com/?p=4598#comment-1520 The rationale of this type of taxation seems to be that individuals should bear the costs their consumption choices force on society. Once this type of taxation is viewed as acceptable, it seems to be a slippery slope. If this is applied equitably to all groups, think where it could lead. If you choose to have children and I do not, why should I pay property taxes to support the public schools?? There's a shot, a pill, a patch, an abortion or just keep it zipped. Children are a totally avoidable consumption choice where society is forced to shoulder much of the cost. Do we really want to go there? The rationale of this type of taxation seems to be that individuals should bear the costs their consumption choices force on society. Once this type of taxation is viewed as acceptable, it seems to be a slippery slope. If this is applied equitably to all groups, think where it could lead. If you choose to have children and I do not, why should I pay property taxes to support the public schools?? There’s a shot, a pill, a patch, an abortion or just keep it zipped. Children are a totally avoidable consumption choice where society is forced to shoulder much of the cost. Do we really want to go there?

]]> http://demockracy.com/the-case-for-the-obesity-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-1427 K J Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:38:01 +0000 http://demockracy.com/?p=4598#comment-1427 The Obesity or Fat tax is long overdue. Everyone knows that overweight people have more health issues than fit people. I have said for years that there should be tax on sodas, sugar injected juices, candy, chips, and any food that contains high fructose corn syrup and or trans fats. The FDA won't do it's job and outlaw these chemicals from poisioning us slowly and so the only other method is to tax these items. I am 5'9" and 180. I enjoy my guilty pleasures as much as the next guy but I feel that there are too many people who eat the junk food because it is such a great deal. If you want to know why junk food is so cheap, run to your closest theater showing the movie "Food Inc." It will open your eyes to the food industry. The Obesity or Fat tax is long overdue. Everyone knows that overweight people have more health issues than fit people. I have said for years that there should be tax on sodas, sugar injected juices, candy, chips, and any food that contains high fructose corn syrup and or trans fats. The FDA won’t do it’s job and outlaw these chemicals from poisioning us slowly and so the only other method is to tax these items.
I am 5′9″ and 180. I enjoy my guilty pleasures as much as the next guy but I feel that there are too many people who eat the junk food because it is such a great deal. If you want to know why junk food is so cheap, run to your closest theater showing the movie “Food Inc.” It will open your eyes to the food industry.

]]> http://demockracy.com/the-case-for-the-obesity-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-767 KJ Wojciechowski Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:30:58 +0000 http://demockracy.com/?p=4598#comment-767 Any effort to reduce overall health care costs is a laudable one. It is unfortunate that the Governor's "obesity tax" is getting such a cool reception by the public and industry groups, but coming as it does on the heels of the anti-smoking and anti-trans-fat moves by the Bloomberg administration, it's really no surprise that the New Yorkers are experiencing government action fatigue. Any effort to reduce overall health care costs is a laudable one. It is unfortunate that the Governor’s “obesity tax” is getting such a cool reception by the public and industry groups, but coming as it does on the heels of the anti-smoking and anti-trans-fat moves by the Bloomberg administration, it’s really no surprise that the New Yorkers are experiencing government action fatigue.

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