'Fat tax' to fight obesity

News.com.au (Australia) ^ | June 9, 2003 | Rachel Morris

[Dan from Michigan]

Let'em tax. If you don't eat the stuff, or much of it, what's the problem?

I thought conservatives were anti-tax.

[Dan from Michigan]

BTW - To all you Jackbooted Public Health Fascists out there, I'll make this real clear.

BAN IT, or SHUT THE HELL UP. No 1/2 tax BS.

[Billthedrill]

My own personal nutrition advice is never to eat on an empty stomach. Dangerous as all git out.

That said, this is one of the more blatant examples of social engineering through taxation. These schemes seldom work for several reasons: (1) the government is more addicted to money than Rosie is to Twinkies, and tends to spend it in places other than to address the issue at hand; (2) people modify their behavior to avoid the tax before they modify their behavior to address the problem; (3) attempting to suppress a product in demand by taxing it engenders black markets; (4) taxes, even when they are mistakenly assessed or no longer necessary, are seldom or never lifted; and (5) people like me who aren't fat and don't smoke still get pissed off when some self-righteous jackass on a power trip decides he or she knows better how to live than we do.

We could, of course, vote them out of office...only...notice how seldom this stuff is called for by elected representatives? It's usually self-proclaimed "experts" and high-minded social reformers who have enthusiasm for their chosen obsessions but absolutely no accountability for their results. "Our intentions were sound" is the pathetic bleating of a fool caught out. Usually they just change the subject.

[supercat]

My own personal nutrition advice is never to eat on an empty stomach. Dangerous as all git out.

So if your stomach ever gets empty, you starve to death?

[MrLeRoy]

The opening salvo in the War On Fat.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[jjm2111]

This is absolutely absurd. First of all, scienctist can't accurately determine WHICH foods are best for you. Is it fatty foods, or too much carbs?

Secondly, maybe some of us who are in decent shape LIKE a big mac every once in a while. Thirdly, you cannot always tell how good shape people are in by their weight. Obviously 400 lb. porkers aren't in good shape, but some people can have a small gut and be in better shape than a flat stomached weakling.

Do we really need such socialism?

[MEGoody]

"Let'em tax. If you don't eat the stuff, or much of it, what's the problem?"

Hopefully, you will remember that attitude when they begin taxing something that affects you.

[jjm2111]

My dad has lost like like 60 pounds on Atkins. Much healthier now. He was at 350 and he plans to go to 250.

[Little Bill]

your problem, not mine.

I am getting sick of supporting other peoples problems, I have enough trouble helping my family with their problems let alone people I probably wouldn't like if I knew them.

[Little Bill]

I don't beleave in the Gov taxing me for someone elses problem. If you are fat, you are old, you are poor, and you are sick that is your problem, not mine.

I am getting sick of supporting other peoples problems, I have enough trouble helping my family with their problems let alone people I probably wouldn't like if I knew them.

[Little Bill]

Sorry for the double, screwed up double at that.

[man of Yosemite]

Yes, it's always an attempt to solve the problem by taking more money away from us. If death is not a deterrent, why would higher costs be? They'll just switch to cheaper food that may be every bit as bad. They already charge more money for health foods, so where's the solution? Higher cost for health food and higher cost for fatty food, when do you start taxing the air I breath?

[jjm2111]

Where's my Victory coffee?

[Billthedrill]

Good heavens no - you coat the delicate stomach lining with beer before shocking it with food. Works for me...

[Mark Turbo]

Where's my Victory coffee?

You can actually get some and send some more to our troops: Victory Coffee

I'm sure this company means well, but whoever runs it probably didn't read 1984 in high school.