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 heres the American Beverage Associations 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?
Im curious to know what you think of this idea. Please weigh in.
40 yrs ago when I worked at a factory in Ohio, there was a robust black market in low tax Kentucky sourced cigarettes.
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?
Then you are not a Conservative....
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.
Paterson isn't fit to beg forgiveness for his stupidity in Sarah Palin's shadow.
I agree wholeheartedly. I’d still like to see a compilation/chart.
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.
This country is doomed
I’m surprised they aren’t putting a carbon tax on the CO2.
It's coming soon to wherever you are.
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.
Your rant is exactly correct, except on the issue of CEO pay.
They deserve all they can extract, especially in this environment.
“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.
Then you are part of the problem, Danny.
“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.
You are part of the problem.
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.
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.
What????
You are part of the problem.”
Congratulations on having said absolutely nothing.
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.
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