[DannyTN]

There are several problems with this. I'm ok with taxing unhealthful activities or products. But they have to have the science right, and too often it's based on junk science.

• Scientific studies have shown people gain more weight on diet drinks (artificial sugars) than they do non-diet drinks. So they should tax the diet drinks even more.
• Scientific studies have also shown contrary to popular opinion that people who are a little overweight actually live longer than thin people. It turns out the overweight have a greater chance of dying of heart disease than thin people, but thin people have a greater chance of dying from almost everything else, and this was true after smoking was eliminated as a factor.
• We've seen too many junk science or politically/commercially influenced science in the health food arena. We were told eating fat was bad, then that most of the critical vitamins were fat soluable and you needed fat. We were told eating eggs would raise cholesterol, and then told it really has minimal impact. We were told Margarine and Transfats were healthy and now we are told nothing clogs arteries faster. They need at least another hundred years of science before government starts telling us what constitutes healthy food.

[Eric Blair 2084]

I'm ok with taxing unhealthful activities or products. But they have to have the science right...

I respect your liberal progressive opinion, but if you believe that using Gubmint policies to coerce people to behave the way THEY want is OK, you are not a conservative. You are in the wrong place.

[elkfersupper]

I'm ok with taxing unhealthful activities or products.

Then you are part of the problem, Danny.

[Mr. Silverback]

I'm ok with taxing unhealthful activities or products. But they have to have the science right, and too often it's based on junk science.

How is it consistent with a free society for the government to make people live a certain approved lifestyle.

[Mr. Silverback]

I'm ok with taxing unhealthful activities or products. But they have to have the science right, and too often it's based on junk science.

How is it consistent with a free society for the government to make people live a certain approved lifestyle?