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 ...
Got a mental image of "revenooers" out smashing up people's bee-hives in the hills. Too funny.
The only yogurt that's fit to eat is solid-full of sugar. Tax it too!!
About fast food ... cut into the profit margin, places will close and more people will be unemployed.
Yes, that will definitely help teh economy. Not!
I remember watching my dad roll his own smokes. He bought the same papers as the potheads did, which might have helped him transition to rolled ciggies and cigars. Then he chewed for several years.
He’s 80 and has been smoke free for decades but is contemplating starting up again when he hits 90.
“you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: not one single dime.”—Barack Obama State of the Union Address, 2/24/09
This obviously was a Clintonian construction. People foolishly interpreted this to mean no increase in taxes, but what Obama actually said was that your taxes won’t go up by a single dime—meaning that if they go up by 10 dimes, 100 dimes or many thousands of dimes, he will (technically) not have lied to anyone. The man is shameless.
Rahm’s brother Zeke now advises OMB Director Peter Orzag. Forget about nickel and dime taxes on soda, cigarettes or alcohol. Zeke’s bright idea is a value-added tax on EVERYTHING, with the proceeds dedicated to health care. Obama hasn’t yet signed onto this idea, but because it generates massive revenue, my guess is that it may well be part of the final package because there simply isn’t enough “sin” to tax to provide the river of annual revenue needed to fund universal health care.
Error in logic...the government should not pay for ANY healthcare except for its employees and the military. Healthcare is not a right or an entitlement, it is something you negotiate for with an employer or pay for yourself.
It's also being eliminated in June by an act of Congress...sorry. Unless you have a little box which will allow them to tax you.
Where is the syringe tax, condom tax, cocaine tax, etc...?
Kick their Butts? There is an idea...how about a sodomy tax to fund HIV related costs.
Just say no to the Nanny state. Everybody should dump soda in the Boston Harbor if this loony idea ever becomes law.
If sodas are outlawed, only outlaws will have soda.
Also taxes on caffeine, chocolate, sugar (not just that in sodapop).
What's the list going to look like?
Anything like the WWII list of items rationed?
I thought Obama was only going to raise taxes for those who make over $250k. I guess all smokers and soda drinkers must be wealthy!
Also, since they're taxing sugary drinks, are they taxing fruit juices and chocolate milk? Lactose is a sugar, isn't it?
maybe it’s time to sue CSPI
new federal taxes on soda and other sugary
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Doesn’t the US provide a sugar subsidy? Mmnnnn.
Good, heaven knows they’ve wrung quite a bit out of cigs.
How’s that water, froggie.
Great first step, then a tax based on your weight with increased fees for being over 10% over your recommended weight.
Foodies and Fatties, get ready to be treated like smokers.
LOL!LOL!LOL!
First they taxed the gentlemen’s clubs, and I didn’t speak up, because I’m not a gentleman.
Then they taxed tobacoo, and I didn’t speak up, because I don’t smoke.
Then they taxed the sodas, and I didn’t speak up, because I only drink bottled water.
And then they taxed chocolate, and I got my gun and mowed ‘em all down.
I suppose that these numbsculls are also going to force a manditory deposit/return system for empties on us like they have in Michigan and Maine.
Count on it. Also expect to pay a heavy deposit on the bottles and be forced to return them for a small refund.
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