Beware the Food Police and Their Soda Tax

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In my home state of Kansas, this is about balancing the budget but promoted as an attempt to improve our health. The tax money goes straight to the general fund. Our budget has expanded faster than our waistline and now they are trying to shrink the shortfall by claiming to make us healthier by controlling what we eat and drink. I laughed it off when the tobacco people claimed food would be next. A local health official said that parent's should be arrested for child abuse for buying fast food and making their kids fat and I thought he was half kidding. This is no joke and we'd better pay attention. We need to head this off before it gets worse. I plan to hold elected people accountable in the voting booth and I don't care what party they belong to. We need to send a message that we,as voters, are still in charge.

Rose of Kansas of KS 11:28AM April 05, 2010

The answer is always the parents and family... Great for all the people (i.e. you and your clique) that have such things. Others are not so fortunate. That's why "liberals" are so deviously set on HELPING PEOPLE.
I agree, banning, etc can and has gotten out of control in many areas.
However a "Soda Tax" is a reasonable thing to explore as soda has had an ENORMOUS impact on the health of Americans, and recommending that mommy and daddy do a better job is flat stupid and unproductive.
Why is moderation and common sense so evil in 2009?
There is a place for govt in many thing, and this "all gov is bad" mentality that lazy ignorant populist conservatism seems to fall back on constantly is really sad.

Doug of IA 5:26PM October 30, 2009

It all started with the tabacco tax, but that was a tax on those evil smokers, so that was a good idea, and most non smokers didn't say a word in protest. Well, an unfair tax that singles out any one group is wrong. Maybe if their were more support against the tabacco tax from the soda groups, Big Brother wouldn't be coming after them now.

Norris Wacasey of MO 8:18PM October 24, 2009

... let's tax stretchy pants as well (over the already implemented sales tax that each state has). Heck.. if the liberal democrats are going to get ridiculous with taxes-and what's to be taxed--why not. Soda tax? Are you kidding?
I wonder what's going to be taxed next that they'll think is the next best thing to sliced bread? Oh.. wait... they'll probably tax sliced bread too.
Stay out of our refrigerators, Mr. Obama!! You're really not welcome there.

Jane of VA 4:16PM October 24, 2009

I am very pleased to finally see that the message is hitting home, that is the realization of our obesity epidemic. Mr. Heye is correct. Our “weight issues” are not to be blamed on 64-ounce drinks, sugar and fat laden snacks such as ice cream or even deep fried potatoes, our nation’s number one consumed vegetable! Rather, one solution lies in educating all, not only children and young adults, but parents as well. If managing obesity was as straight forward as say listing calories on menus or at ball park concessions stands, or imposing a sin tax to reduce consumption, then Americans wouldn’t need to be put on a diet. Even providing “healthy alternatives” may not be the silver bullet as we are inundated with these types of foods and beverages, yet we are enlarging. To satisfy your taste buds, a recent article in Contemporary Economic Policy found that small taxes will not help fight our obese states. As a Registered Dietitian (RD) and consultant to the food and beverage industry our current administration really needs to focus on “teaching others how to manage calories”. It’s no different than consulting with a retirement specialist on how and where to put your money. Do “they” really feel that people are going to stop enjoying their sweets and treats? We need more education with less restriction and negative information.

Jerrod Libonati of CA 1:20PM October 19, 2009

Nickel and diming the American public by taxing them on their favorite daily drink. Keep those great ideas coming, Mr. President. You know I doubted Obama's grand promises, but now that he's fixed the economy and health care and won the war on terrorism, I'm convinced. Heck, let's tax Lazy-Boy chairs and stretchy pants.

Tristan Yates of MD 5:21AM October 19, 2009

So now the gov't wants to tax soda? Why not ice cream, sugar cereals and cookies?
This is only the beginning my sweet-toothed friends...

M. Blackwell of NH 7:01PM October 18, 2009

Wanted to say to freedom to eat person. Way to go! Does not matter what you eat or how much you tax it. You need exercise to keep healthy. If the government wants to save money they should reduce politicians salaries. Over paid and under worked. That is apparent if they have nothing better to do than sit around and think of stuff like this. They should get off their butts and do something meaningful.

Billy Lansdown of GA 6:08PM October 18, 2009

If they are going to tax soda and other sugary things then they need to start taking a look at all the processed foods that contain to much salt because all the salt in soup and other processed foods is not good for your health either. To much salt can make your kidneys fail or cause high blood presure. So what are they going to do about this, tax them too?

Donna Whited of WY 11:58AM October 18, 2009

I like that there is now a vegetable garden at the White House and think that improving access to healthy foods (like replacing food stamps with a WIC-like program) do more to change habits than taxing certain foods or subsidizing others.
The price of many foods would increase if we wee to end subsidizing corn products that make adding high-fructose corn syrup so cheap to ad to so many of or foods today.

RaneyOnline of PA 8:30AM October 18, 2009