Do you think the government should impose a tax on junkfood?

[segamegadrive]

Were learning about how obesity rates are growing higher each day. I think we should put a tax on junk food because people will start buying healthier foods but, at the same time it kind of takes away the "freedom" thing. What do you think? Opinions?

 

[Colorforms]

Were learning about how obesity rates are growing higher each day. I think we should put a tax on junk food because people will start buying healthier foods but, at the same time it kind of takes away the "freedom" thing. What do you think? Opinions?

Like any regressive tax, the poor are going to feel it the worst.

 

[PhilFish]

Like any regressive tax, the poor are going to feel it the worst.

unless the choice is made to not purchase the item so taxed..

 

[as seen on tv]

behavioral engineering via taxes never works. higher taxes have had zero effect on alcohol consumption, and people just brew their own moonshine if they have the inclination. high cigarette taxes have resulted in a bonanza for smugglers, counterfeiters, etc. The "I can't breath guy" was selling illegal cigarettes at the time of his demise, something he'd been arrested for dozens of times previously.

just how difficult do you think it would be to make chocolate chip cookies at home, or larder some salt and queso (cheese) on whole grain corn tortillas, anyway?

 

[marvin martian]

Were learning about how obesity rates are growing higher each day. I think we should put a tax on junk food because people will start buying healthier foods but, at the same time it kind of takes away the "freedom" thing. What do you think? Opinions?

There's already a tax on it, it's called sales tax.

 

[UPNYA2]

Were learning about how obesity rates are growing higher each day. I think we should put a tax on junk food because people will start buying healthier foods but, at the same time it kind of takes away the "freedom" thing. What do you think? Opinions?

No.

What food could NOT be deemed to be "junk food" in the opinion of SOMEONE?

As is the problem with any other tax, this would have no end.

 

[connieb]

Were learning about how obesity rates are growing higher each day. I think we should put a tax on junk food because people will start buying healthier foods but, at the same time it kind of takes away the "freedom" thing. What do you think? Opinions?

No, I don't agree with it.

The best way to curb bad behavior is to allow the person to experience the natural consequences, in this case - struggle with poor health and poor income without the "enabling" of publicly provided access to those things.

If we are going to do anything with regards to the restriction, restrict SNAP benefits being used to purchase processed foods. That is a direct public policy which enables the poor eating habits of the poor.

connie

 

[write on]

No, I don't agree with it.

The best way to curb bad behavior is to allow the person to experience the natural consequences, in this case - struggle with poor health and poor income without the "enabling" of publicly provided access to those things.

If we are going to do anything with regards to the restriction, restrict SNAP benefits being used to purchase processed foods. That is a direct public policy which enables the poor eating habits of the poor.

connie

Have you ever noticed that most people living in poverty are overweight? Do you know why that is?

 

[connieb]

Have you ever noticed that most people living in poverty are overweight? Do you know why that is?

Yes, because they eat shitty processed food.

connie

 

[write on]

Yes, because they eat shitty processed food.

connie

And why do they eat shitty processed food?

 

[Charcat]

Any attempt by the government to control American freedoms is against my religion.

 

[connieb]

And why do they eat shitty processed food?

Because they are lazy about food preparation and or they don't know any better.

 

[Charcat]

And why do they eat shitty processed food?

Not because they can't afford anything else. They can buy what they want with their food stamps.

 

[PhilFish]

Any attempt by the government to control American freedoms is against my religion.

like wealth accumulation.. maybe?

 

[write on]

Because they are lazy about food preparation and or they don't know any better.

Nope. They buy unhealthy fast food because it's cheaper and in larger quantities.

You can't bootstrap your way out of poverty. Just ask Joni Ernst. lol

 

[connieb]

Nope. They buy unhealthy fast food because it's cheaper and in larger quantities.

You can't bootstrap your way out of poverty. Just ask Joni Ernst. lol

That is bullshit. Bags of rice are cheap. Bags of dried beans are cheap. Frozen veggies are almost as cheap as canned. They don't want to put the work or effort in needed to make healthy items from scratch which is cheaper in general than buying processed.

connie

 

[marvin martian]

And why do they eat shitty processed food?

Well, certainly through no fault of their own. I think George W. Bush makes them do it.

 

[Arkady]

Were learning about how obesity rates are growing higher each day. I think we should put a tax on junk food because people will start buying healthier foods but, at the same time it kind of takes away the "freedom" thing. What do you think? Opinions?

I'd be curious, first, whether it actually makes a difference. There are already states that have higher taxes for junk food, so presumably the data can be teased out about the effectiveness of that. Then it would be a question of balancing the costs and the benefits.

 

[Arkady]

Like any regressive tax, the poor are going to feel it the worst.

It would be regressive, but that's not necessarily a problem if it came as part of a package of tax reforms that kept the overall balance. For example, if the junk food tax cost the average poor person $200 per year, and it was coupled with a $200 tax credit for the poor, then the average poor person would be no worse off.... and the poor would be in a position where they could actually gain from it, simply by altering their consumption habits.

 

[Charcat]

like wealth accumulation.. maybe?

Yes, as a matter of fact. Only problem is that I haven't accumulated that much. Am I missing something from the Constitution that says I can't accumulate wealth?