Posted on 05/12/2009 2:35:48 AM PDT by PghBaldy
Senate leaders are considering new federal taxes on soda and other sugary drinks to help pay for an overhaul of the nation's health-care system.
The taxes would pay for only a fraction of the cost to expand health-insurance coverage to all Americans and would face strong opposition from the beverage industry. They also could spark a backlash from consumers who would have to pay several cents more for a soft drink.
On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee is set to hear proposals from about a dozen experts about how to pay for the comprehensive health-care overhaul that President Barack Obama wants to enact this year. Early estimates put the cost of the plan at around $1.2 trillion. The administration has so far only earmarked funds for about half of that amount.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based watchdog group that pressures food companies to make healthier products, plans to propose a federal excise tax on soda, certain fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas. It would not include most diet beverages. Excise taxes are levied on goods and manufacturers typically pass them on to consumers.
Senior staff members for some Democratic senators at the center of the effort to craft health-care legislation are weighing the idea behind closed doors, Senate aides said.
The Congressional Budget Office, which is providing lawmakers with cost estimates for each potential change in the health overhaul, included the option in a broad report on health-system financing in December. The office estimated that adding a tax of three cents per 12-ounce serving to these types of sweetened drinks would generate $24 billion over the next four years. So far, lawmakers have not indicated how big a tax they are considering.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Would there be a "break point," or just $.03 for each 12oz? So would my 52oz iced tea (sweetened with Splenda, BTW) cost me an extra $.15? I typically get 2 of these a day, which is a pretty nice profit margin for Quik Trip. And I'll often pick up something else while I'm there as well. But knowing that I'm paying an extra tax on it will make me less likely to continue buying it there, instead brewing it myself, which will wind up hurting Quik Trip, as well as generating no dollars for the federal, state, or local governments. So, in effect, that tax will wind up costing EVERYONE (except me) money.
As long as there's "stuff," congress will always be able to figure out a new tax on that "stuff."
Mark
Good.
I’m sick of soda drinkers turning the office into a sticky mess with their little splashes and spills. And don’t get me started on “Coke Breath”. Sometimes I go home at night smelling like a bottling plant. It’s disgusting.
The women do those feminine little whisper burps, which are bad, but the men! Well they belch like the rest of us enjoy it as much as they do!
Then there’s the residue. Can pyramids are the worst. Running a close second are those styrofoam cups leaving sticky little rings on desks and conference tables that those soda drinkers can’t bother to wipe up when they leave.
I don’t drink sugared sodas, but I know many people who do. People I thought were fine, Christian, conservative people. Give the a Dr. Pepper, though, and they turn into filth purveyors.
Tax ‘em high!
I quit smoking 9 months ago and I drink diet Coke. Raising tobacco taxes to their current levels is outrageous. Taxing sugared drinks is too.
Everything was going great with the new tobacco tax until you weenies quit smoking !
Do your patriotic duty and light em up !! (it`s for the children )
Now Lord Obama has to find another new tax.
how about a huge tax on designer sneakers ?
I doubt that but a tax on chicken wouldn't directly affect me because I don't eat the vile stuff.
But yes, the Brits actually have an annual TV tax on the device itself.
Mark
the version I heard was
“in America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power...then.. you get the women...”
They are attacking the wrong end of the problem, if gov didn't have their nose in health care to begin with, no new taxes would be needed.
Well, why stop at sodas? I mean, there’s a whole universe of products that are BAD FOR US......just ask the food police.
Let’s start with transfats, saturated fats, nutrasweet, red meat, white meat, meat, meat, meat, cheese, anything that tastes good, and BUTTER........how could I forget my beloved BUTTER?
These f-ing Communists have gone too far this time. Maybe the sheople will wake-up?
Fast food will be the next target. They are going to have to cast a wide net to pay for this. Women, children, and minorities will be hit harder by this, not that Zero gives a rats patoot.
Congress claims that the Interstate Commerce Clause of the Constitution gives them the right to regulate and tax any goods or services whether they cross state lines or not. Interestingly enough, the SCOTUS rules in favor of the government (big surprise) that Congress can also regulate and tax goods and services that do NOT cross state lines, since those goods and services not being offered for sale can influence the pricing and availability of similar goods and services offered elsewhere in the country.
So, the court ruled that the ICC allows congress to regulate (and tax) goods and services that do go across state lines, as well as those that don't.
Mark
What’s a caribou fart worth, nowadays.
That was an example. They haven’t said how high they want it. They hate poor people- that is who tends to be fat nowadays and they know it.
If couches had parking meters on them, We would be much more productive and more physically fit. I think you're on to something here...
Right on the mark. Wondering why there are 30 posts to the point of yours that didn’t ask that question.
I agee; I’m opposed to nationalizing health care.
I can quit fast food in a flash!
Excellent summary, Mark.
I can stop drinking soda. Goodbye Coke Zero my old friend.
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