statist, social engineer Paterson proposes 18% tax on soda

[dead0man]

Ahh yes the old "more taxes during an economic downturn" tactic.  Brilliant!

[dead0man]

It's honestly a good idea. Nothing is more unhealthy than soda. The reason we have the obesity problem in this country is because too many people drink soda. If you can justify excessive taxes on alcohol (like Mississippi does), something which is not drank by small children outside of communion, then things like soda and candy, which kids pour all over, certainly can be taxed. Soda is just as unhealthy as the pack of Marlboros I used to smoke everyday, in fact I'd say moreso. Takes cigarettes years to kill you, only takes a few weeks of overconsumption of soda and sweets to start packing the weight on.

Honestly, I would not oppose a law requiring children to be a certain age before they purchase or consume soda, something like 12 or 14, which would be verified by state ID the way hunting licenses are

Southern Democrats are always good for a laugh.

[dead0man]

I smell a sock for some reason.

[dead0man]

It's not the state's role to pay for people's health costs.

..and when they do there will be a LOT more taxes (and probably worse) like this.  It will hurt poor people much more than everybody else.  Who cares if it's against the law to eat a french fry, as long as our medical care is free!

[dead0man]

It's not the state's role to pay for people's health costs.

..and when they do there will be a LOT more taxes (and probably worse) like this.  It will hurt poor people much more than everybody else.  Who cares if it's against the law to eat a french fry, as long as our medical care is free!

I fail to see how correctly progressive taxes hurt the poor most.

They don't....but that's not what we're talking about here.  Try and keep up.  How is a tax on various unhealthy activities progressive?

[dead0man]

Ahh yes the old "more taxes during an economic downturn" tactic.  Brilliant!

economic downturn that brings govt spending into the red + balanced budget requirements = lots of states are going to be raising taxes and kinda don't have any other choice

They could cut spending.  It has it's own drawbacks of course, but it needs to be done anyway.  Now is as good a time as any.

[dead0man]

State owned and operated slot machines in every gas station and grocery store.  Give the buisnesses a cut so they'll be more accepting.  It's the exact same as a lottery, but slightly more fun than a scratch off.

[dead0man]

Because soda doesn't give you cancer

Just diabetes, obesity, heart problems [if the soda contains caffeine], etc.

Nobody has said soda is good for you.  Neinrein's point was that soda is more deadly than drinking.  I'm going to need a cite from somebody to prove that.

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You are a complete idiot if you are actually paying good money for soft drinks when you could just drink tap water.
[/quote]Couldn't you say that about anything that isn't tap water?  That's a BRTD kind of comment.