| Governments that are struggling with debt and lost | | | | potato chips and sitting on the couch. It's true that |
| revenue are doing everything possible to increase their | | | | Americans are fat, but what a thinly veiled attempt to |
| cash flow. Taxes are being raised on a number of | | | | make up for irresponsible spending. |
| things across the country. One such tax that has a lot | | | | The only positive thing this tax has done to fight |
| of people angry is the soda tax that a few states | | | | obesity is to increase the news shots of overweight |
| have levied. The tax was first introduced in New York | | | | people walking down the street. Maybe if enough |
| and consumers there must pay $.01 per can of soda | | | | Americans see how fat they look on TV they will lose |
| they buy. | | | | some weight and the tax will no longer be necessary. |
| States that have used this tax defend the decision by | | | | I for one will no longer be drinking soda in those states |
| claiming their health care expenditures are higher due | | | | that tax it. It's not because I now understand how |
| to health problems caused by obesity. They argue that | | | | harmful it is to me, but rather because I refuse to give |
| people consume too much sugar and that the tax will | | | | the greedy politicians another cent of my money to |
| fund programs to educate people and fight obesity. | | | | squander. Kudos New York. Mission accomplished. I no |
| They also seem to believe that this penny will make | | | | longer drink soda. |
| people think twice about drinking a soda. What a | | | | If the state politicos would simply have the courage to |
| crock! | | | | state the truth and ask for help, I would be happy to |
| Many people are upset by this government intrusion | | | | give them $5. I average about one soda a week so |
| and rightfully so. It's one thing for the government to | | | | this price seems fair. But I cannot stand their self |
| collect taxes; it's another for them to do it for the sake | | | | serving lies about concern for my health so I will give |
| of controlling our lifestyle. If this were truly a tax | | | | them nothing. I'm sure tax free soda is flowing into |
| designed to reduce the consumption of sugar and | | | | New York state as we speak and is probably funding |
| reduce obesity, they would have taxed ice cream, | | | | terrorism. |