Mmmmmmm... 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.
If the company runs into the ground at the behest of the government, then whose fault is it?
Yours, because you did not resist enough?
The government has the resources to litigate past the next 3 generations.
Thank you very much. :-)
Man, do I need a trip to Vegas to escape this insanity.
Sounds like excuses to me. Did you learn that in CEO skool?
Good grief. Then so is eating a steak with green beans and a glass of red wine. Does that make any sense to you?
Yep
I am fortunate to be able to know a CEO like yourself, elk. :-)
Mmmmmmm... Nestle
I would be happy to do so, were it feasible.
Unfortunately, at least half of my fellow citizens have contracted some sort of mental disorder preventing them from thinking, and most of the other half wishes to regulate every aspect of their fellow citizens' daily lives.
I am at a loss as to what to do, other than to buy lots of ammunition now.
Reality trumps excuses, skills, and ability.
Now you're talking! ;^)
Why, thank you.
Yes it does.
Well I agree with that for sure.
Well, we tax alcohol, why not tax the garbage that makes people even sicker than booze and in smaller quantities?! I question why my employer has junk food and junk drink machines on every floor, taking up 50% of the space in the kitchens. I’ve never seen a reason to put a dime in either machine and lack sympathy for those who lose money when they malfunction. Do we all have to chew on something all the time? National neurosis.
At least you have given me a much more pleasant association. Nestle company and me both thank you.
I should have mentioned that it was only a small outfit in today's terms - $2.5 billion in assets in 1994, but it is at least still there and operating.
I didn't cause any permanent damage.
In the liberal mind/world, we the sheeple are all helpless.
We are just another “VICTIM” of evil corporations who use media to get us addicted to cigarettes or fast food or use bikini clad women to convince us that drinking beer is cool.
We are helpless.
Without the wiser and cooler heads of those in Government we would be lost.
We need them to save us from ourselves.
What is even more disturbing, Sir Eric, is that the government officials will always find something to overly tax. This is what this is truly about.
I think we are going to disagree on this as much as doctors do. Some of my diabetic friends have been told to stay away from all soda, to include diet. Others have a mini fridge at work full of diet soda.
My point is that it isn’t a settled matter that artificial sweeteners are good for you. I don’t think its unreasonable to question the health effects of man-made chemical compounds.
Diabetes - the culprit is corn sweetener. Even Rush is talking about diet vs ‘sugar’ soda. Its not sugar anymore, its corn; and, its terrible for you. Its not just in the soda - its in bread, jelly, salad dressing, mayo, peanut butter, kids cereal, etc.
Why? Corn subsidy and sugar tariffs. Both parties are to blame - but gov tinkering has destroyed the american diet.
This tax tinkering in NY will eventually end up in a class action lawsuit against the state, when people claim sweeteners made them sick (whether true or not). I just hate the idea of the government telling me what is healthy (and I reserve my right to be very skeptical of artificial sweeteners).
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.