Thoughts On The Soda Taxes In US?

[Shikamaru Nara]

I honestly think it's stupid. Since when did Government have to do with obesity? Is it really their buisness?

[Rinslee]

Actually, the money that can be reaped in from the soda tax could be used to help to pay the medical costs of treating obesity.

[Toma RNK]

Since the people can't be responsible, I am all about taxing the stupid.

There is precedent, look at the lottery. That is a tax on people bad at math.

[Shikamaru Nara]

Originally Posted by Toma RNK

Since the people can't be responsible, I am all about taxing the stupid.

There is precedent, look at the lottery. That is a tax on people bad at math.

But Government isn't supposed to butt into our buisness unless it's having to do with the law, not other people's personal life.

[Rinslee]

The very existence of the government limits our freedom already, though. In this case we should probably let the government butt into our business anyways.

The safety of our personal life depends on the actions of the government. Imposing a soda tax would result in a multitude of benefits- 1. healthier people, 2. increased government revenue, that could help with our national deficit, and 3. a better medical field, if the money from the tax could go towards hospitals.

[Toma RNK]

Originally Posted by Shikamaru Nara

But Government isn't supposed to butt into our buisness unless it's having to do with the law, not other people's personal life.

States tax cigarettes, gambling, and a slew of other things. We offer tax breaks to industries we wish to support such as the corn industry.

This is nothing new. Right or wrong, fighting the issue on soda is silly. Fight against the corn tax breaks frito lay gets, or other ones to stop the practice.

I agree the practice sucks. But the PEOPLE are demanding the government do all sorts of stupid crap to protect us.

Look at air marshals. They made 4 arrests last year and cost the government 1Mil. That's 200,000 per arrest. Granted they MAY be a deterrant.

The concept is to tax destructive behavior while encouraging stuff we like, such as solar panels and such.

I'm not AS against the soda thing as I am other stuff. I choose my battles. Soda costs a bit more, hardly the fight I am fighting.

[Shikamaru Nara]

Originally Posted by Toma RNK

States tax cigarettes, gambling, and a slew of other things. We offer tax breaks to industries we wish to support such as the corn industry.

This is nothing new. Right or wrong, fighting the issue on soda is silly. Fight against the corn tax breaks frito lay gets, or other ones to stop the practice.

I agree the practice sucks. But the PEOPLE are demanding the government do all sorts of stupid crap to protect us.

Look at air marshals. They made 4 arrests last year and cost the government 1Mil. That's 200,000 per arrest. Granted they MAY be a deterrant.

The concept is to tax destructive behavior while encouraging stuff we like, such as solar panels and such.

I'm not AS against the soda thing as I am other stuff. I choose my battles. Soda costs a bit more, hardly the fight I am fighting.

Damn, you put that quite well...

[JuggaloSasuke]

WT* why are they making us pay taxes on soda. that really grinds my gears.Fack no. I am healthier without soda. it does make you obeste.(sorry for spelling error). I tend to agree with all of you guys on here.

[Gamabunta]

I think that they will cause a lot of people to realize what our new way of life is really going to be about.

Originally Posted by Toma RNK

Since the people can't be responsible, I am all about taxing the stupid.

There is precedent, look at the lottery. That is a tax on people bad at math.

And Toma, thanks. This is exactly what liberals believe, regardless of whether or not you are one. They believe the common person is not "responsible" enough to run their own life. In other words the common person is too stupid to run their own life. That is the essence of statism.

[Gamabunta]

Originally Posted by Toma RNK

States tax cigarettes, gambling, and a slew of other things. We offer tax breaks to industries we wish to support such as the corn industry.

This is nothing new. Right or wrong, fighting the issue on soda is silly. Fight against the corn tax breaks frito lay gets, or other ones to stop the practice.

I agree the practice sucks. But the PEOPLE are demanding the government do all sorts of stupid crap to protect us.

Look at air marshals. They made 4 arrests last year and cost the government 1Mil. That's 200,000 per arrest. Granted they MAY be a deterrant.

The concept is to tax destructive behavior while encouraging stuff we like, such as solar panels and such.

I'm not AS against the soda thing as I am other stuff. I choose my battles. Soda costs a bit more, hardly the fight I am fighting.

You are pretending like the goals of these taxes are to help people with their problems, when in reality they are not. They know good and well making tobacco more expensive will not discourage addicts from still buying it. It's not about helping people, it's about making a quick dollar.

[Nick Tasogare]

I think it's a Terrorist Plot.

/arranges tinfoil hat

[Toma RNK]

Originally Posted by Gamabunta

I think that they will cause a lot of people to realize what our new way of life is really going to be about.
And Toma, thanks. This is exactly what liberals believe, regardless of whether or not you are one. They believe the common person is not "responsible" enough to run their own life. In other words the common person is too stupid to run their own life. That is the essence of statism.

The thread started out right leaning so I went devils advocate.

MY argument is that of picking the battles, I'd rather go after corn subsidies for revenue, not fight the soda tax. Attack the bigger aspects of the flaw.

[Gamabunta]

Originally Posted by Toma RNK

The thread started out right leaning so I went devils advocate.

MY argument is that of picking the battles, I'd rather go after corn subsidies for revenue, not fight the soda tax. Attack the bigger aspects of the flaw.

I believe that the people who are trying to pass these laws sincerely believe exactly what you said as their advocate. Of course had you not said it, people like baconarmy would come in here and spread their semi-literate skepticism.

[SageoftheSixPaths]

I honestly don't think it's going to do anything other than make people complain more than they used to while they sit on their asses and watch Seinfeld.

Did people stop smoking when they increased the price and starting taxing it? Nope. Same thing goes for soda. They say they want to reduce obesity, and they may even really WANT that to happen, but realistically it won't.

Even if they do succeed at said goal, it will only be by a minuscule amount, and nothing noteworthy will come of it. All in all, this is simply yet another way for our flailing economy to get a bit of extra cash for the government to use.

[Gamabunta]

By the way you did say it. I rep'd you halfway through reading the post.

[SageoftheSixPaths]

Originally Posted by Gamabunta

By the way you did say it. I rep'd you halfway through reading the post.

I thought so, though I didn't say it exactly the way that you did, so I guess it's fine.

[SRhyse]

The tax isn't going to do anything about obesity, but I'm all for taxing the hell out of things that don't have our best interests in mind, while at the same time already having an addicted audience because of, or in spite of, their own will. Cigarettes, marijuana, TV, shiny rims on hydraulic cars, masturbation, prostitution, twitter- legalize and tax it all .

Coke isn't exactly making the world a better place, so lets profit on it in pursuit of better things, and/or deter people to doing better things than buying and drinking soda. Put down the can and hire quality teachers in schools.

[Toma RNK]

Rice gets the tripple post database eroor special!

[quinnzy]

i just dont like the thought of taxes... especially in soda.

[mrsticky005]

Originally Posted by Rinslee

Actually, the money that can be reaped in from the soda tax could be used to help to pay the medical costs of treating obesity.

HHAHHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH A


Yeah...

Like Tax Dollars ACTUALLY pay for stuff
like medical costs and paved streets.

What do you think this is? A democratic republic? How silly!


So President Obama how do you like your solid gold Big Mac?

President Obama: I'm McLovin' it!