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Why not levy heavy taxes on alcohol in the same fashion as we have with cigarettes?
Or fast food?
Or junk food?
Or anything else considered a vice?
I don't necessarily agree with the notion of taxing something to get people to act a certain way (i.e. taxing the beejesus out of cigarettes), but, if we are going to do it why not broaden our horizons so to speak?
I would love to see less drunk drivers on the road simply because they could not afford the alcohol. I would love to smell less of that oh so wonderful cigarette smoke. I would love to see more people stray away from Mickie Dee's or those little debbie cakes because they cannot afford to buy them.
I mean, I want a healthier, sober, non-nicotine addicted America also. Why not make a buck while we're at it?
Do you agree that basic needs should be taxed less than any "luxuries"? Because, the way I see it, people trying to meet their basic needs to survive should not be taxed nearly as much as those who are purchasing things with no positive value.
Do you agree that basic needs should be taxed less than any "luxuries"? Because, the way I see it, people trying to meet their basic needs to survive should not be taxed nearly as much as those who are purchasing things with no positive value.
Fast food, nor junk food (soft drinks, chips, debbie cakes, etc) does not classify as basic needs. The are considered snacks which are considered a luxury of food.
Things like meats, vegetables, fruits water, and milk are classified as basic necessities. That's one of the reasons they have no tax on them.
You don't need soft drinks, or chips or debbie snacks to live off on. You do however need water, meats, fruits, and vegatables to do so.
Fast food, nor junk food (soft drinks, chips, debbie cakes, etc) does not classify as basic needs. The are considered snacks which are considered a luxury of food.
Things like meats, vegetables, fruits water, and milk are classified as basic necessities. That's one of the reasons they have no tax on them.
You don't need soft drinks, or chips or debbie snacks to live off on. You do however need water, meats, fruits, and vegatables to do so.
That's exactly what I was getting at! You mentioned taxing fast food...I was arguing (without going into specific examples) WHY it would be more acceptable to tax it than say fruits and vegetables.
Also why it is more acceptable to tax cigs and booze than fruits and veggies.
I couldn't tell whether you were suggesting TO tax these things more heavily or NOT to. I'd say with alcohol...absolutely. As far as the other things....not sure.
That's exactly what I was getting at! You mentioned taxing fast food...I was arguing (without going into specific examples) WHY it would be more acceptable to tax it than say fruits and vegetables.
Also why it is more acceptable to tax cigs and booze than fruits and veggies.
I couldn't tell whether you were suggesting TO tax these things more heavily or NOT to. I'd say with alcohol...absolutely. As far as the other things....not sure.
Personally I don't think we should be taxing things to make people act a certain way; i.e. social engineering. But, my point is, that if we are going to enact social engineering, why only stop at cigarettes? Why not alcohol? Fast food? Soft drinks? Foods high in fat, partially hydrogenated oil(s), sugar, and high fructose corn syrup; i.e. snacks?
If we truly want a healthier America, why not? It's been proven that more people die from health related diseases than smoking cigarettes. I think one of the many reasons they are raising the taxes on cigarettes because it would be less of an outcry from the public (even some people who smoke are glad they are raising the taxes). But if they tried that with snacks? Fast food? Soft drinks? It'd be a public outrage.
Personally I don't think we should be taxing things to make people act a certain way; i.e. social engineering. But, my point is, that if we are going to enact social engineering, why only stop at cigarettes? Why not alcohol? Fast food? Soft drinks? Foods high in fat, partially hydrogenated oil(s), sugar, and high fructose corn syrup; i.e. snacks?
If we truly want a healthier America, why not? It's been proven that more people die from health related diseases than smoking cigarettes. I think one of the many reasons they are raising the taxes on cigarettes because it would be less of an outcry from the public (even some people who smoke are glad they are raising the taxes). But if they tried that with snacks? Fast food? Soft drinks? It'd be a public outrage.
I think the state would have MORE business doing this with alcohol than cigarettes or any of the other things. Reason being, alcohol is an intoxicant and those under the influence of alcohol are more likely to do things that can hurt others.
Cigarettes (with the exception of second hand smoke) and unhealthy food do not cause direct harm to anyone other than those consuming them.
Why not levy heavy taxes on alcohol in the same fashion as we have with cigarettes?
Or fast food?
Or junk food?
Or anything else considered a vice?
I don't necessarily agree with the notion of taxing something to get people to act a certain way (i.e. taxing the beejesus out of cigarettes), but, if we are going to do it why not broaden our horizons so to speak?
I would love to see less drunk drivers on the road simply because they could not afford the alcohol. I would love to smell less of that oh so wonderful cigarette smoke. I would love to see more people stray away from Mickie Dee's or those little debbie cakes because they cannot afford to buy them.
I mean, I want a healthier, sober, non-nicotine addicted America also. Why not make a buck while we're at it?
No. They are extremely low. I think, in most states, they are equivalent to about a penny (maybe a few pennies) for a 12-ounce beer.
For liquor it is about 20-25% of the price depending upon state law.
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