Obama says 'sin tax' on sodas is food for thought, despite Gov. Paterson's failed proposal

The New York Daily News ^ | 2009-09-08 | David Saltonstall

[rabscuttle385]

Gov. Paterson's proposal to tax soda in New York fizzled, but President Obama believes it may be time to pop a similar sin tax on the nation.

The President, in an interview with Men's Health magazine released yesterday, said he thought taxing soda and other sugary drinks is worth putting on the table as Congress debates health care reform.

"It's an idea that we should be exploring," the president said. "There's no doubt that our kids drink way too much soda. And every study that's been done about obesity shows that there is as high a correlation between increased soda consumption and obesity as just about anything else."

Obama is floating the idea seven months after a storm of protest forced poll-challenged Gov. Paterson to drop his plans for an 18% tax on soda and other sugary drinks.

Despite that debacle, congressional lawmakers have considered soda taxes as one way to cover the cost of revamping the nation's health care system, estimated to eat up much as $1 trillion over the next decade.

[rabscuttle385]

[rabscuttle385]

More...taxes...ugh.

[HiTech RedNeck]

This the Bummer version of Billy Beer?

[Red in Blue PA]

Let me tell you how it will be; There's one for you, nineteen for me. 'Cause I�m the taxman, Yeah, I�m the taxman. Should five per cent appear too small, Be thankful I don't take it all. 'Cause I�m the taxman, Yeah, I�m the taxman. (if you drive a car, car;) - I�ll tax the street; (if you try to sit, sit;) - I�ll tax your seat; (if you get too cold, cold;) - I�ll tax the heat; (if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet. Taxman! 'Cause I�m the taxman, Yeah, I�m the taxman. Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson) If you don't want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath) 'Cause I�m the taxman, Yeah, I�m the taxman. Now my advice for those who die, (taxman) Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman) 'Cause I�m the taxman, Yeah, I�m the taxman. And you're working for no one but me.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Would these soda taxes raise enough money to pay for the subsidies to the sugar and corn syrup industries?

[freespirited]

And every study that's been done about obesity shows that there is as high a correlation between increased soda consumption and obesity as just about anything else

Will he every stop pulling facts out of his butt?

There is no way in hell that he knows the content of "every study that's been done about obesity."

[Proud2BeRight]

On 9/1/09 Illinois started a 600% tax increase on the candy, soft drinks, and health & beauty products.

[EGPWS]

...but President Obama believes it may be time to pop a similar sin tax on the nation.

Forgive me Lord for I have sinned...

Pepsi, full strength non-diet.

[JudgemAll]

Another progressist tax on us and a stereotyped product because some people over do it. The rest of those with high metabolism, acidosis problems and what not can die of hunger, I guess.

[EGPWS]

On 9/1/09 Illinois started a 600% tax increase on the candy, soft drinks, and health & beauty products.

Whew, sure glad I make less than $250,000/yr and that I don't smoke.

[BlueNgold]

Ask a Dem politician about ANY new tax or increase and the least disturbing answer you can expect to hear is “interesting thought”.

[EGPWS]

Will he every stop pulling facts out of his butt?

When his a$$hole is cauterized.

[Sacajaweau]

Paterson backed off the fat tax...and taxed bottled water instead!!!

[Carley]

Given his overweight wife and daughter he ought to be minding his own business.

[joshhiggins]

there is as high a correlation between increased soda consumption and obesity as just about anything else

In other words, to protect us from obesity he will start by taxing "sodas" and then to really, really protect us he will have to tax "just about anything else".

[EGPWS]

Would these soda taxes raise enough money to pay for the subsidies to the sugar and corn syrup industries?

His agenda is bigger than that, to shut down free enterprise without a whimper from the people.

So far he is getting away with it.

[WV Mountain Mama]

I wonder if there has ever been a study to correlate that kids drinking enough soda to make them obese and the amount of time they sit on their fat rumps playing video games, computer games or just watching tv. Nah, they can’t tax kids for wasting time sitting on their a$$es... or can they?

[edcoil]

What is not taxed already?

[delacoert]

Hmm...

Maybe they'll regulate CO₂ gas cylinders like cold remedies and put tagants in cola syrup.

We can't have unlicensed pop making at home in a pop-taxed world.

[MamaDearest]

If Obama and the dems do this, it will be a sorry day in hell for them the day afterward. This would affect almost everyone I know. There will be a LOT of very very very angry people - and they will be angry at Obama and the dems to ascribe to this.

With people out of work in the mega-thousands, methinks tinkering with what keeps them appeased is asking for something just short of pure hatred.