A national soda tax is needed to reduce obesity and save lives

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20141209-column.html ^ | Dec. 8, 2014 | David Lazarus

[headstamp 2]

A national tax on liberals is needed.

[Politicalkiddo]

“Nope. What’s going to happen is that the big restaurant are going lobby for changes so ALL restaurants have to disclose calories on their menus.”

I don’t doubt that. They push and push....

“Remember that this isn’t a law, it’s a directive from the FDA and changes can be made on a dime.”

My mistake. Everything is legislated nowadays.

“Mom and pop (family restaurants, taverns, food trucks, etc) will shut down, leaving only the McDonalds, Applebees, etc who’ll raise their prices to offset the new rule.”

Yeah. The only people who suffer are the little people without tons of money to throw at politicians.

[TigersEye]

I get his logic.

Harsh extra-Constitutional measures are necessary to rid this country of fascist-communist Progressives.

I can relate.

[Don Corleone]

I don’t think the founding fathers meant taxes to become a punishment. It’s supposed to pay for a service.

We are being 'serviced' alright. Just not in the fun way.

[GraceG]

The federal SAT (Sugar, Alcohol and Tobacco) agency...

[jttpwalsh]

“Yeah, I remember back in ‘16 when I started runnin’ bootleg Fresca from south of the border. Those were the days, son!”

---

In So.Cal., you can buy Coca Cola, made in Mexico, that contains real sugar, like when I was a kid. I drink maybe three sodas a year, and two of them would be the Mexican import. Noticeable difference, in taste.

[TigersEye]

Put them in charge of pot too. The Sugar, Hemp, Alcohol and Tobacco agency. SHAT.

[Mr. K]

So a TAX can be used as a social incentive to force people to stop acting a certain way, right?

So then what does a handout do?

[Mr. K]

Then, when you drink the wrong soda, or try to sell one without the tax, the cops can come and chock you to death

[Little Ray]

Next it will be a tax on caffeine.
Just watch. The FDA is going to claim jurisdiction over everything with caffeine and the gub’mint is going tax it.

[CPT Clay]

Nanny state

Obey

[goldstategop]

KEEP YER GRUBBY HANDS OFF MUH SODA!!!

[cripplecreek]

I don’t know how much more of this liberal freedom I can afford.

[Leo58]

This means sugar free soda will be exempt from the soda tax.

[21twelve]

They are already printing out the stationary for the new agency, BATFSP (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Soda Pop)

[Celtic Conservative]

Family Dollar carries it up here as well, along with Mexican Fanta flavors like pineapple. And you’re right, there is a difference.

CC

[Celtic Conservative]

But that’s 3 of the 4 food groups!

CC

[jttpwalsh]

Nice to have a choice, isn’t it? Thanks for your reply!

[GeronL]

nobody thinks a tax is going to reduce obesity or save lives

[Brandonmark]

How about taking these items off the public welfare and assistance programs as allowable items, rather than tax everyone else to provide a dole for them to enjoy . According to the SNAP/EBT Food Stamp website for eligibility:

"◾Soft drinks, candy, cookies, snack crackers, and ice cream are food items and are therefore eligible items"