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Yes it does contribute to a number of problems, and don't forget dental problems. Soda is the primary cause of cavities and decay, even the soda companies admit that.
I'd support a tax on soda or candy. Most people don't take dental issues seriously until it happens to them, and dental work can easily get very expensive and I'm not sure if healthcare reform would do much about dental costs.
I'd also support a federal soda container deposit similar to what Michigan imposes. I'm sick of seeing soda cans and bottles littered all over the highways, just recycle it!
But you could say the same thing for any sugary drink. There are so many drinks out there that claim to be healthy, and they are just sugar water. Those also contribute to tooth decay. I guess my point is that there are so many crappy foods out there, if we just promoted overall healthy lifestyles (no school should ever drop PE), it would probably be more helpful than having a tax.
I'm originally from Michigan, and I really like the bottle deposit. I don't know how many bottle drives I did when I was in marching band in high school, it's an easy way to get cash and help the environment.
Location: Jonquil City (aka Smyrna) Georgia- by Atlanta
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpman023
Anyone want to weigh in their opinions on the soda tax? I approve of it personally, and it's one of the few things I'd like about Obama should he do it.
If it applies to the stuff loaded with sugar, I am 100% for it. But the non sugar stuff should not be taxed.
I wouldn't mind if Congress passed a soda tax.
We currently have a soda tax in my state but it isn't very big.
I think it should be a 25-50 cent tax on each can or bottle sold.
I know when the price of soda went up during high school (from $1.00-1.25) it curbed how much I bought drinks out the machine. The school news did a segment and a lot of kids said they probably wouldn't buy as many sodas. I am not a big soda fan unless my blood sugar is low and I need a quick pick me up but any other time it's water, juice, milk, or soy milk.
People will complain about the tax but they can always avoid it...just don't drink soda or don't drink as much. No one is FORCING you to buy the soda and it's not like you need it to live.
the millions on food stamps wont complain they will chug away as usual. this is the wrong aproach. punish the working folks only?
But you could say the same thing for any sugary drink. There are so many drinks out there that claim to be healthy, and they are just sugar water. Those also contribute to tooth decay. I guess my point is that there are so many crappy foods out there, if we just promoted overall healthy lifestyles (no school should ever drop PE), it would probably be more helpful than having a tax.
I'm originally from Michigan, and I really like the bottle deposit. I don't know how many bottle drives I did when I was in marching band in high school, it's an easy way to get cash and help the environment.
It is true that many beverages and foods contribute to tooth decay, but due to the widespread use and popularity as well as the sheer amount of soda consumed, it causes far more damage than the other beverages and foods do. According to my dentist, the only thing worse for your teeth than soda is meth!
I wouldn't mind if Congress passed a soda tax.
We currently have a soda tax in my state but it isn't very big.
I think it should be a 25-50 cent tax on each can or bottle sold.
I know when the price of soda went up during high school (from $1.00-1.25) it curbed how much I bought drinks out the machine. The school news did a segment and a lot of kids said they probably wouldn't buy as many sodas. I am not a big soda fan unless my blood sugar is low and I need a quick pick me up but any other time it's water, juice, milk, or soy milk.
People will complain about the tax but they can always avoid it...just don't drink soda or don't drink as much. No one is FORCING you to buy the soda and it's not like you need it to live.
That isn't the point. The government is trying to control your behavior with a tax.
This is not unlike a cigarette tax. I'm not a smoker, but it is offensive that the government will tax something in order to control behavior. Where in the Constitution does it find this authority? I don't see it.
I mentioned this in another thread - it's not so much the sugar, though that is unhealthy. It's the high fructose corn syrup that is in everything - I mean in foods you don't even expect to have it.
And, it's highly addictive. The FDA should overhaul the commercial food companies' allowed ingredients lists first, if they're truly interested in the nation's health. Otherwise, it's just a matter of collecting more taxes, and to heck with our health. Makes a good excuse, though.
The government is hardly all of us. It is a collection of a few thousand employing a workforce of a few million with no other agenda than to retain it's power over the other 300 million of us.
Collectively we have the power to control or change our government thru our votes or other civil means. That is the point. We can't control what a corporation chooses to market to us or how much they will charge. Or even if it's dangerous to us.
I'm for taxing everything I don't use and I am against. I don't smoke so I think a $100 tax on a cigarette is fine. I don't drink sodas either so a $5 tax for bottle is ok with me. Let's not forget burgers. If we taxed burgers and FF's we would no longer need to collect income taxes. If we can't ban it we will tax it. Then we could start thinking about taxing speech.
All it takes is a little discussion and we can find ways we agree on! Reps to you!
Agreement is totally possible on this board, even with me.
I'm all over the political map so....there ya go. Once I find out more info, it's not all that hard to make me change my mind on SOME issues. I try not to be static in my views.
Quote:
Originally Posted by parfleche
the millions on food stamps wont complain they will chug away as usual. this is the wrong aproach. punish the working folks only?
bs
I'm not trying to punish working people and let's not pretend that there aren't any working people on food stamps. Some jobs don't pay enough for people to feed their families. Of course some will say go out and find a better job, go to school, etc but that takes $$.
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Agreement is totally possible on this board, even with me.
I'm not trying to punish working people and let's not pretend that there aren't any working people on food stamps. Some jobs don't pay enough for people to feed their families. Of course some will say go out and find a better job, go to school, etc but that takes $$.
