Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Soda Sin Tax: Does This Make Sense?: Will it reduce obesity? Burden the poor?
Daily Green Busybody ^ | December 17, 2008 | Marion Nestle

Posted on 12/17/2008 5:40:01 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084

Governor Paterson says he can raise $404 million in state revenues with a 15% tax on soft drinks (but not diet sodas, juices, milk, or water).

The relevant section of the statute reads:

"Create Sales Tax on Soft Drinks. Imposes an additional 18 percent rate of sales and compensating use taxes on fruit drinks that contain less than seventy percent of natural fruit juice and non-dietetic soft drinks, sodas and beverages. By increasing the price, it will discourage individuals, especially children and teenagers, from excessive consumption of these beverages. Revenues will be directed for health care initiatives."

And here’s the American Beverage Association’s predictable response: hurts the middle class, nobody wants it, no science or logic behind it.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. For example, the maker of a carbonated juice drink wrote me to complain that her product, which is 50% juice and taxable, contains under 70 calories per 8-ounces in comparison to non-taxed 100% fruit juice at 110 calories/8 ounces. Obesity is about calories, no? Or is it really about the kinds of products people habitually drink?

I’m curious to know what you think of this idea. Please weigh in.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: nannystate; newyork; socialengineering
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 221-225 next last
To: 4Speed

40 yrs ago when I worked at a factory in Ohio, there was a robust black market in low tax Kentucky sourced cigarettes.


41 posted on 12/17/2008 6:31:26 PM PST by nascarnation
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: zadox

Not only will the soda tax pass, but you will see cash strapped liberal states pass fast food taxes on burger chains within 36 months. PUT IT IN BIG BOLD LETTERS HERE AND BOOKMARK IT.

I’m constantly shocked that fellow FReepers fail to understand the liberal mind of activists and lib politicians.

Do I need to explain it to you?


42 posted on 12/17/2008 6:36:11 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Will88; All

Then you are not a Conservative....


43 posted on 12/17/2008 6:38:41 PM PST by KevinDavis (Thomas Jefferson: A little rebellion now and then is a good thing)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Will88
I don’t favor punitive taxes such as the very high cigarette tax in NYC and other places. But reasonable taxes on items that do cause social and health problems is not social engineering. Such taxes have been around for decades, and they should be added to high sugar products because sugar contributes to many health problems. The more someone uses of these products, the more they risk some problem.

Great post. You've just earned a silver medal for most contradictions in one statement. Type something again and go for the gold. Don't be a loser and settle for second place. Try typing:

The following statement is true. The preceding statement was false.

44 posted on 12/17/2008 6:40:31 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: allmost
I would like to see a chart comparing New York’s Governor to Alaska’s.

Paterson isn't fit to beg forgiveness for his stupidity in Sarah Palin's shadow.

45 posted on 12/17/2008 6:40:35 PM PST by hunter112 (We seem to be on an excrement river in a Native American watercraft without a propulsion device.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: hunter112

I agree wholeheartedly. I’d still like to see a compilation/chart.


46 posted on 12/17/2008 6:42:35 PM PST by allmost
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084

You’re right, we are in for a barrage of goofy-ass liberal ideas over at least the next two years. We conservatives need to do everything possible to shut down this economy over that time to punish the people stupid enough to elect the Chosen One and his Rat minions.


47 posted on 12/17/2008 6:43:15 PM PST by hunter112 (We seem to be on an excrement river in a Native American watercraft without a propulsion device.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084
Actually, the proposal was on 180+ items that the Left finds socially unacceptable or enjoyable by the general public - including theatre tickets.

This country is doomed

48 posted on 12/17/2008 6:44:38 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084

I’m surprised they aren’t putting a carbon tax on the CO2.


49 posted on 12/17/2008 6:46:00 PM PST by Right Wing Assault (What's Obama's Secret?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Glenn
I consume diet soda with the once-in-a-while Starbucks. But I really don’t care. I don’t live in NY anymore.

It's coming soon to wherever you are.

50 posted on 12/17/2008 6:46:05 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: hunter112

Say hello to my friend Phil E. Buster.

The 42 or 41 Republicans can either hand together or hang separately. They should form a blood pact that their caucus will hold a popular vote and they will vote whichever way the majority says.


51 posted on 12/17/2008 6:49:57 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: pandoraou812
Sorry for the rant.

Your rant is exactly correct, except on the issue of CEO pay.

They deserve all they can extract, especially in this environment.

52 posted on 12/17/2008 6:50:32 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084

“You’ve just earned a silver medal for most contradictions in one statement.”

You just won the gold for poor reading comprehension. I said reasonable taxes, and I’d even lower some of the existing taxes, particularly the several dollar per pack cigarette taxes in some cities. Many existing taxes might go down on tobacco and alcohol in some locations, and new taxes added to high sugar products.

Nothing punitive there, and nothing that would cause anyone to stop using a product.


53 posted on 12/17/2008 6:50:45 PM PST by Will88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: DannyTN
I'm ok with taxing unhealthful activities or products.

Then you are part of the problem, Danny.

54 posted on 12/17/2008 6:51:49 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: KevinDavis

“Then you are not a Conservative....”

Lol, what sort of conservative do you consider yourself? Your ideas on this are mostly socialist. What about individual responsibility, and taking steps to shift the cost to the cost causers? You want everyone to pay for the poor outcomes of those who use products known to cause social and health problems.

You’re no conservative.


55 posted on 12/17/2008 6:53:02 PM PST by Will88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Will88
What????

You are part of the problem.

56 posted on 12/17/2008 6:53:35 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper

I have good news and bad news:

Good News: The entire country is NOT DOOMED. Just the liberal states in the NE and West. Particularly the Democratic People’s Republic of NY, NJ, CA

Bad News: The liberal citizens of these states will jump over the Berlin Wall to escape the high taxes and move to free Red states and infect it like a rabid AIDS patient on Viagra.

They’ve gone to FL and voted for the same liberal politicians and than sit around and wonder why their new state looks like the same socialist shithole they just left.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.


57 posted on 12/17/2008 6:58:14 PM PST by Eric Blair 2084 (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shouldn't be a federal agency...it should be a convenience store.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Eric Blair 2084

I wish some of these social engineers would tell us what they do like, so we can lobby to tax the crap out of it.


58 posted on 12/17/2008 7:00:21 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper

What????

You are part of the problem.”

Congratulations on having said absolutely nothing.


59 posted on 12/17/2008 7:01:24 PM PST by Will88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Will88

Congratulations on being a selective social engineer with an agenda to dispose of everything and every trait that you find offensive about your fellow citizens.


60 posted on 12/17/2008 7:04:18 PM PST by elkfersupper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 221-225 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson