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NY Bill Proposes Fat Tax On Games, DVDs, Junk Food
eldavojohn writes "GamePolitics is writing about a proposal to tax things that make your kids fat. The logic from its author: 'Almost all experts agree that the primary reasons [for the obesity epidemic] are increased consumption of larger quantities of high calorie foods, snacks and sugar sweetened beverages... and lack of physical activity as vigorous play is replaced by sedentary activities such as watching more television, movies and videos and playing video games. This bill would raise revenues from modest surcharges on the very food products and sedentary activities that are linked to the lifestyle changes involved in the explosion of childhood obesity in the last 20-30 years.' Not as explicit as Japan's fat tax but we're getting there."
I mean, there HAVE been studies that show the obesity levels began rising at the same time that High Fructose Corn Syrup started to infiltrate all of our foods.
I mean do they REALLY need to add HFCS to Tomato Sauces, Soups, etc. ?
The best thing lately has been the return to sugar as a sweetener. Pepsi Throwback is one great example (its much less sweet than regular pepsi - and I'm a Coke drinker primarily).
UPS Sucks
Tax your gasoline to a similar degree as in Europe. That would encourage less car journeys, more walking/cycling and act as a buffer for when the oil prices start increasing again so your gas prices won't double practically overnight again.
"I bless every day that I continue to live, for every day is pure profit."
Minnesotans still pays more per person and I'd bet we get a lot more from our money than you do.
You can't legislate goodness. Let each to his own destiny, by will of his freely made choices.
Believe it or not, the British NHS recently did an analysis and determined that smokers and the obese cost the system less money than healthy people. The reason being that these people tended to die early, before the complications and cost associated with old age set in.
I think this is a fallacy, but maybe the prices where I live are quite different. Here, a bag of whole carrots is about $1.20, while a bag of Doritos or other chips is 99 cents. By both weight and density of nutrition, the carrots are hugely cheaper than Doritos. Or say, chicken here is often around $3 or $4 a pound, again both by weight and nutrition density a far better deal than what you would get for 3 or 4 bags of chips. Are veges really super expensive where you live compared to say chips and soda, or is it that people are forgetting how to cook and not stepping up to the plate (har) when it comes to their children's health?
While I generally agree with you, what home grown mac n cheese recipe do you have that is healthier? All of the recipes we have are very high in fat.
Let us also not forget that many families are either single parent or have two working parents and thus there is a lack of time to prepare all of this delicious nutritious food. At my house we've been trying 20 minute recipes but in general they do end up costing more than just going out to eat.
One thing you are forgetting is that people that are cheap and would buy prepackaged food or eat at McDonalds will buy cheap ingredients for making food from scratch and you'll be back at square one when it comes to health concerns.
My house isn't struggling for money thankfully so we'll shop farmers markets mostly. Whole Foods is considered a special treat when we want to have a BBQ with family I don't get to see often or when we want a turkey for Thanksgiving.
Ultimately I'm not sure the food people are eating is the problem, it's more the lack of exercise in addition to the lack of proper sleep. Those contribute a lot to metabolism although obviously what you eat is still important.
It is a well-established medical fact that cardiovascular deceases are more common in blacks than in whites. I propose a "black tax" on barbecue grills, chicken wings, and Hennessy cognac. This would make at least as much sense and will be just as constitutional as the proposed "fat tax".
This tax, especially on foods and drinks that can kill you if not used in extreme moderation (apparently they aren't) is for the same reasons, no?
So, look, if you're gonna bitch about these (and I'm sure new creative behavior modification taxes in the future), then complain in general about using any tax to try to modify behavior. They should not use the threat of tax to promote good or curb 'bad' behaviors if you are an adult.
What do you bet that in a future in the US, if you have a national medical system, with computerized national records, that can easily be tied to other systems out there that collect info on you (like with grocery store purchases? Drug stores? Liquor stores?) that you are charged and taxed based on your health risk behaviors? Don't think they'll do it?
Did you think they'd ever even consider taxing you a 'sin' tax for buying a soda pop??? Me neither...
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........