Posted on 01/15/2005 1:35:59 PM PST by sportutegrl
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that about two-thirds of American adults are obese or overweight, and nearly one-third of our children are heavier than their recommended weight. A recent report by the World Health Organization indicates that each year more than 33 million people worldwide die prematurely due to noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Closer to home, experts at the Center for Science in the Public Interest estimate that 400,000 Americans die annually from obesity-related illnesses.
For years we have heard why our waistlines are expanding, straining our hearts, minds and bodies: an increase in junk-food consumption and a decrease in physical activity and exercise. More recently, we've seen a variety of incentives aimed at reducing obesity. One has been financial reimbursement from health insurers. Join a gym, work out consistently, and get cash back from your health maintenance organization or health insurance company.
Now it's time to take things a step further. We need a financial incentive designed to encourage consumers to purchase healthier foods. Some could view this as a penalty or a "fat tax" on foods deemed unhealthy by nutritional experts. I suggest we view this idea not as a negative but as a positive-reward system to produce a healthier America: Eat better and save money. Or eat junk and pay a little more to offset potential increased costs of your future health care.
This concept of a fat tax was introduced in the mid-1990s by Kelly Brownwell, a psychologist with Yale's Center for Eating and Weight Disorders. It was recently resurrected in part by John F. Banzhaf 3d, a professor of public-interest law at George Washington University Law School.
(Excerpt) Read more at philly.com ...
I demand a tax on stupidity. We should view it not as a First Amendment violation, but as a positive-reward system to encourage a smarter America.
Tax? Thats a word that I detest. Here in Texas Perry plans to raise taxes on Cigarettes, and now raise taxes on food?
So Bush's tax cuts would be offset by consumption tax.
Whatever happened to conservative republicans who are against taxing and spending? Are there any out there at all?
Please no tax..... let me spend my earned money how I please..and be in control of my own body.. fat or skinny. Afterlooking at about 2/3 of congress they could start thinning out there, and see how they would like a tax on their largeness...
Don't look for them in the Republican-controlled Congress and White House, with their gigantic budgets and record-setting deficits.
This is another stupid leftist idea, of course.
But as a related topic, I have heard that civilian federal workers in my state can get *paid* 3 hours per week if they use the time to exercise.
Why should I as a taxpayer be forced to pay them for exercising? They should exercise on their own time like the rest of us.
Whatever happened to conservative republicans who are against taxing and spending? Are there any out there at all?
They were replaced by compasionate republicans who favor massive spending and foreign welfare.
WE HAVE FINALLY FOUND A WAY TO GET RID OF TED KENNEDY
FAT TAX !!!!!!!!!
How about a tax rebate on good food?
Just when you think do-gooders can't get dumber ... they up and prove you wrong.
If they want to eat junk let them pay for it!
Are you aware that county governments are trying to get a bill passed in the House that would give counties in TX the right to tax fuel 1/2 cent? That really irks me!
Would Swimmer Kennedy have enough for a Super Size Big Mac after he paid his fat tax???
"But as a related topic, I have heard that civilian federal workers in my state can get *paid* 3 hours per week if they use the time to exercise."
Yep. That's true. Our state and federal workers can take three hours each week of paid time for Physical Training. When I was on an AGR Tour for the State of Wisconsin, they let me do it, too, plus gave us a really great discounted rate at a local Health Club. I took full advantage of it, and was buffed and ready to kick @ss at all times.
I can see doing it for military folk, not so sure the state and feds should pick up the tab for civilians, but if it keeps healthcare costs down, it's probably wise. I have not seen any cost analysis of that particular program, though. The "cause and effect" makes perfect sense, but this IS the government we're dealing with here, so the program probably got approved by mistake, LOL!
No...No...No...
These type of tax suggestions should scare everyone!
Do not let it happen!
better yet, i'd like reparations for the stupidity the left has foisted on this country.
let's start with the vietnam war, and then the degration of the educational system.
how many trillions of dollars does the left owe us?
Naturally you would need to do something for persons who gained muscle mass, (the Arnold exception) unless this was done taking illegal substances in which case you must pay double.
I would also like to see tax on talking on cell phones while driving, As that is a pet pieve. Oh and a tax on pets who are allowed to poop on someone elses property. Oh...
But, But, but they were going to stop at smokers, Weren't they?
But Matt isn't the danger dependent on how much I eat of the bad stuff? If I use a dab of regular cream cheese, are you sure that is worse than the person who eats a lot of the 50% fat cream cheese?
Who did you vote for Matt? Let me guess.
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