Obama Open to 'Sin Tax' on Soda

Obama was involved in the legal case to force lenders to "loosen" criteria to those in "Low income" areas, under the auspices of discrimination as those areas were more likely to be black or hispanic.

...........well according to stats blacks are more likely to be obese than whites, so surely this contradicts his previous stance and he is now penalising blacks

I propose a "snarky tax".

When ever you say something snarky, you have to pay a dime.

Just don't read any of my posts, please. I'm broke. . . .

why do people drink ` soda ` in the first place ? its [ my opinion ] CRAP

i drink mostly water - a coffee to kick start the day - and maybee another if i am working into the night

the closest i ever get to ` sodas ` is an occasional red bull when engaged in physical activity

but the number of people i see who seem to think that coca cola , pespi and others are a rehydration subsitute for water is mind boggling

again just my opinion - but coca cola should noly be drunk by adults as a mixwer with liquor thats not fine enough to be drunk neat

and for children - a treat at parties and meals out [ when adults have wine etc ]

This is no surprise to me at all! this guy will pass any tax laws he can get through Congress, who else is going to pay for the trillions of dollars he has spent. He is completely OUT OF CONTROL! Pretty soon he will be taxing everything and telling us what we can and can't do! COMMUNIST

Well, first of all. What ever it takes to piss enough people off at the Govt.

As far as this tax goes? It is Constitutional, it's what is suppose to be done to collect monies for the Federal Level Govt.

Now, the size of the Govt is another thing.

Protect our Union of States from enemies. Regulate Commerce between the states.

You have done neither of these.

Until the Federal Govt. does only what they are suppose to do, F**k them!
No more money. No more Taxes of any kind.
Take back our money regulation and get rid of your mobbsters for collection. yes that would be the Fed. Res. and the IRS.

How much does a can of Coke cost in the US these days? Here in the UK the average is around 60p for a 330 ml can (about 90 cents), which is ridiculously expensive for something so cheap to make.

It seems odd that soft drinks cost more per gallon than petrol (here at least).

Personally I don't like these additional taxes on things that government decides are "bad for you". It's just a form of snobbery. As far as I can tell the health risks are negligible provided you brush your teeth and don't drink 10 cans a day.

Originally posted by ignorant_ape
why do people drink ` soda ` in the first place ? its [ my opinion ] CRAP

i drink mostly water - a coffee to kick start the day - and maybee another if i am working into the night

the closest i ever get to ` sodas ` is an occasional red bull when engaged in physical activity

but the number of people i see who seem to think that coca cola , pespi and others are a rehydration subsitute for water is mind boggling

again just my opinion - but coca cola should noly be drunk by adults as a mixwer with liquor thats not fine enough to be drunk neat

and for children - a treat at parties and meals out [ when adults have wine etc ]

I drink it because I enjoy it. I enjoy the taste. ::shrug:: Same as you enjoy your Redbull.

Not everyone that drinks and enjoys soda, drinks only that. I also drink water and enjoy soda in moderation.

I been keeping an eye on this issue for a while now, since it would most likely have a direct impact on myself. I work for a beverage company and they have been talking about this and how it will have an impact on our jobs and they economy. I've signed the petition against this tax, and even sent a letter to my state rep. I actually got a reply back...and it said they don't know of any current taxes being proposed on high sugar beverages. Go figure.

Anyway, I feel that anybody should be able to eat/drink whatever they want and not have the government come in and tell me what is best for me. Let alone tax something because they think it's bad. This will not only cost the consumer, but will cost the beverage industry also. Not good when the economy is already bad. Either the beverage companies pass the increase to you, or they cut back costs...possibly cutting jobs. You can have your opinions on soft drinks...weather you think they are god or bad, but ultimately it is about the freedom of choice as an individual. If you decide to drink these, you must take responsibility for your actions. As far as obesity goes...guess what?? TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! If you can't take responsibility for yourself, who do you expect will?? Have self control, exercise, eat healthy. Granted, some of it is genetics, but when it's not you can only blame yourself. Another thing, just because you consume soft drinks, sugar, etc. will not give you diabetes. High calorie intake and sedentary lifestyle may cause obesity which can lead to diabetes. Again, anything in excess is bad.

As others mentioned, taxing will not cause people to stop drinking sodas, it is just penalizing those who do. And remember, it's not just soda...its juices, teas, energy drinks, sports drinks. A year or two ago we removed all of our vending machines from all of the local schools. Even the ones that were juices only. That was a big loss in revenue, which means the company had to cut back, meaning jobs lost. Sales have already been declining since our economy took a dive, and if this tax goes through it can only get worse.

Hmm let me see...

Obama "seems warm" to the idea

and

"An idea that we should be exploring"

Seems to me he might be warm for the idea but would like to explore the subject before making an informed decision.

Sounds good to me.

Originally posted by ElectricUniverse
Still doesn't make you right.

Right about what? My opinion? How can my opinion be right or wrong?

More so since it is unConstitutional to have these forms of taxes.

Can someone explain to me how they are unConstitutional? I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's not something I'm aware of. Thanks.

Not to mention that President Obama is once again braking another promise from the long list of promises he has broken.

People keep saying this, too. For one thing, he's not even advocating this. How can he be breaking a promise when there's no indication that he's even done anything about it AT ALL?

Secondly, it's not a tax on people making under $250,000. That was the promise. A tax on people with making under $250,000 would affect everyone in that tax bracket. And this tax (if by some outrageous chance, it's implemented) would be voluntary. He didn't promise that there would be no sin tax. This argument is full of holes.

But morons will keep thinking they have a right to dictate what people should eat, and drink, and that they have a right to support, and or pass legislation on what people can eat, or drink....

This would be true if the government were to make it illegal, which some here are advocating. A sin tax would not prevent anyone from drinking soda, unless they couldn't afford it. And hey, I'd like to have fillet mignon and lobster every night, but I can't afford it. We have to live within our means.

Their moral compasses are so screwed up that they think supporting such policies will help the people.

Even if it is a mistaken opinion that this would help the people (and I don't necessarily believe that) I fail to see what that has to do with morals... This is not a moral issue.

What it would help is in the area of health care. Obesity in childhood leads to all kinds of diseases as adults. If parents aren't going to be more critical of what their children put in their mouths, then someone has to pay for these kids' illnesses and heart attacks later on. I had a friend once who gave her one-year-old Coke, "because it was the only think that would settle her down."...

Originally posted by stevegmu

Originally posted by fleabit
Do you enjoy paying for the care of the obese, whose problem is completely self-inflicted?

Hence my idea of internment camps for fatties. They would be released once they lost the extra weight.

Well unfortunately, 74% of Americans are overweight or obese. With that sad #, you cannot slap them all in camps. While I don't like the idea of sin taxes, if they are going to do it, might as well do it with something that will improve our nations health overall.

And for those who say drinking soda doesn't make you fat (or fast food) - what planet are you living on?

When I was in my early 20s and in the Army, we COULD eat like crap every day, and were in great shape. Daily exercise and a young metabolism really helps. Once you get a bit older though, those empty calories just stick around.

So.... why ain't Obama going after the fast food giants then? Hmmm

IRM

Originally posted by mattpryor
How much does a can of Coke cost in the US these days? Here in the UK the average is around 60p for a 330 ml can (about 90 cents), which is ridiculously expensive for something so cheap to make.

It seems odd that soft drinks cost more per gallon than petrol (here at least).

Personally I don't like these additional taxes on things that government decides are "bad for you". It's just a form of snobbery. As far as I can tell the health risks are negligible provided you brush your teeth and don't drink 10 cans a day.

Matt so good to see you here, a big star for broadening your circles! Thanks for posting!

A can of soda bought individually runs between a 1.00 to 1.25 in most convenience stores these days, and a 20 Fluid Ounce bottle also known as 591 milli litre is about 1.69 to 1.79 in concenience stores even though a 2. litre bottle retails for about the same in a grocers.

That's about a 35% increase since the start of the economic crisis, so taxing it more would just be plain wrong, since the higher base cost results in a higher sales tax anyway since 7% of 1.70 is more than 7% of a 1.09, of course sales taxes go to the state and now the mafia in Washington wants to muscle in for another cut of it's own.

You know the old hey this is a pretty nice store you got going here, it be a shame if something were to happen to it badda boom badda bing.

It really is good to see you out and about Matt!

Originally posted by InfaRedMan
So.... why ain't Obama going after the fast food giants then? Hmmm

IRM

I hear he goes after them all the time personally!

I think his favorite is Five Guys, proving it takes more Americans to cook a hamburger than Polish people to change a lightbulb!

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
Look. I think it's a good idea, not an idiotic idea. People who are bogging down the health care industry and driving up the prices of my health insurance with their unhealthy life choices should have to pay more than the person who eats healthily and takes care of themselves. You'll excuse me while I finish our dinner salad...

This IS EXACTLY why a government run health care system IS CRAP!

Look! Over there! It's someone eating something unhealthy! How dare he eat a cheeseburger. He's driving up all of our health care cost. We are all in this together and your being a dead weight on all the rest of us. What you eat is OUR business not yours ... Just look how selfish he is gorging on that cheeseburger thinking only of his own gratification! MAKE HIM PAY MORE FOR IT!!! MAKE HIM PAY!!! I sacrifice to keep cost down for the greater good and SO SHOULD HE!!!!

Just who do these people think they are that don't want to get the flu vaccine. They are endangering not only themselves but the rest of us too. The government said we should take it ... the news told me I should take it. These people who refuse are just selfish and dangerous ... They should be locked up!!

People this is where we are heading as a society. People you are getting ridiculous.

reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler


As it is now Healthy food is over priced. Now junk food is going to be too.
He is going to tax us to death. He isn't even thinking of the people on a fixed income. With me being disabled I may have to go back to work. Even if I can not walk or stand or use my hands. In order to just live. What is he doing?
Sounds like we made a big mistake putting a man in the White House that doesn't know what he is doing. Is it me or does he always look like he's in over his head?

Originally posted by Lynnsssokc


As it is now Healthy food is over priced. Now junk food is going to be too.
He is going to tax us to death. He isn't even thinking of the people on a fixed income. With me being disabled I may have to go back to work. Even if I can not walk or stand or use my hands. In order to just live. What is he doing?
Sounds like we made a big mistake putting a man in the White House that doesn't know what he is doing. Is it me or does he always look like he's in over his head?

remove him from an autocue and an audience of clapping nodding dogs and he is the Obama which anyone who could see through the media/liberal/luvvie hype knew existed

reply to post by ignorant_ape


I love coca-cola and while it's loaded with delicious chemicals, dyes, preservatives and additives that cure everything from cancer to the common cold, I do worry about it's constantly rising cost.

Most years I fill my olympic sized swimming pool with Coke but this year had to cut back to a store made generic brand

I have to admit it's both humbling and embarassing.

Coke it's the real thing ®

The above was not a paid for advertisement for Coca Cola Distributors, 1 Coke Plaza, Atlanta GA 20221

Copies of the above transcript can not be obtained by writing Coca Cola Distributors at 1, Coke Plaza, Atlanta GA 20221!

Originally posted by Lynnsssokc
reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler

 

As it is now Healthy food is over priced. Now junk food is going to be too.
He is going to tax us to death. He isn't even thinking of the people on a fixed income. With me being disabled I may have to go back to work. Even if I can not walk or stand or use my hands. In order to just live. What is he doing?
Sounds like we made a big mistake putting a man in the White House that doesn't know what he is doing. Is it me or does he always look like he's in over his head?

He clearly is in over his head, but it really represents more than anything the branding of a President and the Office of the President.

The young generation reared on a supperficial Hollywood and Madison Avenue lifestyle of Sitcoms and Cartoons saw him as very appealing, entertaining and someone they could more easily relate to and identify.

Had anyone actually read his 124 failed attempts to write a Bill as a U.S. Senator that litter the Library of Congress they would have understood he was an empty suit with no real ideas of his own, at least not workable or sensible ones.

He's a great spokesperson, that is highly photogenic, reads and speaks well while reading prepared carefully scripted statements and is appealing to people who want to prove how hip and progressive and politically correct they are.

As a statesman, businessman, and inovator he hasn't got a clue, which of course is ideal for the voting public which hasn't got a clue either!

Sorry your being forced to make some tough decisions and suffer the consequences of people voting superficially instead of on real issues and substance.

Change is not a platform its a word, hopefully the voting public will be wiser for that moving forward and we can undo the damage being done by a government gone amuck over the past few decades.

Good luck to you, keep your spirits up and...

Have a Coke and a Smile!©

I'm surprised people can't figure this stuff out and what is going on in this country right now.
Look, people, this is why you don't want government paying for your health care.

Look, we have a sin tax on cigarettes now right? Why? Do you remember why we have a sin tax on our cigarettes? Did we forget that quickly? Because it COSTS MONEY for the government to take care of cancer patients that got cancer from smoking remember? So, if they're going to tax us to pay for it, then where's the free health care? Doesn't exist does it?

What do you think is going to happen when the government covers EVERYONE'S medical care? If you don't eat what they tell you to they'll tax you. If you don't work out when they tell you to they'll tax you. If you work in an office and don't have an active enough job they'll tax you. If you drive to work instead of walk to work they'll tax you. You're blind if you can't see this coming.

And not just the people getting their health care paid for by the government. They'll TAX EVERYBODY the same. Look, I'm lucky enough to have my own private insurance right now. Guess what? I still pay the cigarette tax! Doesn't matter if you get to keep your own plan. You'll have to pay for your own plan, but be taxed higher to pay for everybody else's medical care too. Your costs are going to go UP, not DOWN if you keep your own plan!

And the whole time it's not YOU that gets to decide what's healthy and what's not healthy. It's not YOUR doctor that gets to decide what's healthy and what's not healthy. It's the GOVERNMENT because they're the ones PAYING FOR IT.

And then they control you because ANYTHING they don't want the public doing, well guess what? Just pay a doctor to say it's unhealthy. Public protesting is harmful to your health didn't you know? People get hurt in the riots don't ya know? MASSIVE fines!

Look, I'm not against universal health care or even socialism. The joke of it all though is you can't have socialism ALL the time. Somebody has to be the one to go to work in the morning to cover the butts of all the people that don't. Socialism only works when everybody works. We don't have full employment remember?

What I AM against is half socialism. Socialism for you, and Capitalism for me because I don't qualify when you do. I've been down this road with the government before. When I was homeless, jobless, and carless I didn't qualify for jack while my alcoholic brother got a free hand out because he was an alcoholic. Clinton stopped this, but for those that don't remember or those too young, you used to be able to qualify for disability if you were an alcoholic. Guess what? People didn't like that. Yes it really is a disease. Yes he really did need help. Guess what? Nobody cared. All that mattered was I DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE!

Nobody wants to go to work and pay for someone else like the women who has 18 kids in the projects or the alcoholic that won't get a job. That's what half socialism is. You have to work for it while that person over there doesn't. If you get it for free, everybody should, but guess what? That's IMPOSSIBLE, Someone has to bring home the bacon to pay the friggin TAXES ON IT. And that's the problem with government health care.

That's exactly why the media is covering things like octomom right now. Once I start paying for the health care of your children how long do you think it's going to be before I start trying to get the government to tell you to stop having kids? Well, guess what, that's already what's happening in the news right now isn't it?

Look, you want to know what government insurance looks like? Well guess what? The government does have another form of insurance called unemployment insurance. More importantly the government doesn't even pay for that. They make your employer pay into that. The unemployment rate is about 15%! 15% people! And many states unemployment funds including my own state's fund is TAPPED OUT! Where do you think they're going to get money to pay for 50% of health care? or 75% or 100%? FROM YOU! There is no free health care.

If you're going to pay for it anyway, you might as well buy your own don't you think?

Look, you really want to know what this will look like? Federal highway funds. That's big government all the way down. They give you something for free and then once you rely on it, like health care, they say no no no. You gotta do this now and that and the other thing. Look at states that have tried to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. What's the fed say? Oh, well, if they do that we'll take those federal highway funds away or federal education funds or whatever. So much for states rights. Once you're on their health care plan, so much for individual rights too.

It never fails. Ever. Just try it. Try this little experiment at home. Get together with your best friend and decide to pay each others bills for a month or two. You pay his and he pays yours. I bet it isn't two months in and you're telling him what things he should cut back on to save some money. Two months and you'll be telling him how to live. And when the government is paying your bills it'll be NO DIFFERENT.

[edit on 10-9-2009 by tinfoilman]