The F$$d P$lice are C$ming

[financeguy]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

given the explosion of obesity and the public health risk it poses, along with diabetes, doesn't the government have a responsibility to address such an issue that will ultimately cost the taxpayer in the long run?

we make up threats to American citizens like Saddam Hussein and then spend a trillion dollars. why shouldn't the government address real, small, and measurable issues at home, most of which are low-cost/high-benefit?

Well, agreed on your second paragraph.

But isn't it possible that it's ultimately the same kind of controlling government mentality that makes up the second threat in the one breath, and tells (ok, 'recommends' or 'exhorts' or 'persuades') people as to what to eat in the next?

[financeguy]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

it's how much you inherit that matters. because it's not a "death tax" it's an "inheritance tax."

Well, yes it's how much you inherit. Which is arguably not so much a tax on death as a tax on effort or even a tax on success.

Originally Posted by Irvine511

also, what are the odds of that happening to most people?

It's not quite the same as buying a lottery ticket, though, is it?

I think we can get into value judgements here.

For example - I don't have the exact figure - but I'm guessing there are several million US families with assets around or above the high six or seven figure mark. Some of them just inherited their assets from the previous generation, but some of them actually earned the money by creating their own businesses, or just by working bloody hard.

I'd argue that the second set, at least, deserve to be allowed to pass their wealth onto their next generation - if that's what they so desire. Perhaps, with the first set, that argument is less valid - but then again, do we trust a bureaucrat to make the decision as to who to tax and who to let off? Perhaps it's safer to run the risk that some will inherit money without really deserving it, and just abolish the 'death tax' altogether.

Why should government punish the prudent, and reward the feckless?

[financeguy]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

it's expensive to treat an obese population riddled with diabetes, heart disease, etc. especially when they're on medicare/medicaid. so, yes, it is about money, the money that people with shitty diets cost the rest of society. i am shocked that it's somehow bad to encourage people to eat a little bit less shitty than they already do.

and don't fall for that "death tax" crap.

How about a tax on AIDs' sufferers, if we're going to be consistent?

[financeguy]

Originally Posted by INDY500

(buzz)

I'm, sorry. The tax revenue... the tax revenue, is the correct answer we were looking for.

But what's gonna pay for GITMO, GWOT and all that good stuff? Imprisoning evildoers don't come cheap, ya know.

[BVS]

Originally Posted by financeguy

How about a tax on AIDs' sufferers, if we're going to be consistent?

It what sick world is that consistent?

[financeguy]

Originally Posted by BVS

It what sick world is that consistent?

In the same 'sick world' that wants to tax consumers of fatty foods, perhaps?

[Se7en]

Originally Posted by financeguy

In the same 'sick world' that wants to tax consumers of fatty foods, perhaps?

no, that's not consistent, actually. a tax on junk food is not a direct tax on overweight people for instance. no overweight person is taxed for being overweight. that wouldn't make sense. the goal is to incentivize behavior so as to avoid obesity, not punish people who are already overweight (although, someone who is overweight may purchase junk food and pay the tax, but they can choose to change their diet as well). so really, what you're looking for is a way to tax the behavior that could lead to HIV/AIDS, not to directly tax those who are ill. a tax on unprotected sex and used needles would be appropriate for consistency's sake.

[INDY500]

Originally Posted by Se7en

... a tax on unprotected sex...

Will there be a new line on the 1040 form or will toll baskets be installed by every bed to toss a few quarters into post coitus?

[Se7en]

Originally Posted by INDY500

Will there be a new line on the 1040 form or will toll baskets be installed by every bed to toss a few quarters into post coitus?

implementation would certainly be a challenge.

[BVS]

Originally Posted by financeguy

In the same 'sick world' that wants to tax consumers of fatty foods, perhaps?

You're still not making a logical correlation.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by financeguy

How about a tax on AIDs' sufferers, if we're going to be consistent?

government spends lots and lots of money on preventative medicine -- condoms, safe sex, screening blood, etc. they could do much more with clean needle exchanges. that's much more along the lines of encouraging healthy eating.

[the iron horse]

President Obama says 'sin tax' on sodas is food for thought, despite Gov. Paterson's failed proposal

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by the iron horse

President Obama says 'sin tax' on sodas is food for thought, despite Gov. Paterson's failed proposal

every wondered why is food filled with corn syrup so much cheaper than healthy organic food?

[INDY500]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

every wondered why is food filled with corn syrup so much cheaper than healthy organic food?

First caucus being in Iowa every 4 years = corn subsidies and sugar tariffs.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by INDY500

First caucus being in Iowa every 4 years = corn subsidies and sugar tariffs.

bingo.

[the iron horse]

Originally Posted by Irvine511

every wondered why is food filled with corn syrup so much cheaper than healthy organic food?

Preach on Irvine511

HFCS is cheap, dirt cheap.
It's cost less than pure cane sugar and other natural sweetners.

I think it is one of the major causes of obesity today.



*email Coke and other big soda companies! Tell them to to stop using HFCS.

[Irvine511]

Originally Posted by the iron horse

Preach on Irvine511

HFCS is cheap, dirt cheap.
It's cost less than pure cane sugar and other natural sweetners.

I think it is one of the major causes of obesity today.



*email Coke and other big soda companies! Tell them to to stop using HFCS.

or, don't buy Coke.

[BVS]

Originally Posted by the iron horse

*email Coke and other big soda companies! Tell them to to stop using HFCS.

Just as long as you're willing to pay more...

[anitram]

Originally Posted by the iron horse

*email Coke and other big soda companies! Tell them to to stop using HFCS.

No need, I only drink the Diet kind!

[Se7en]

Originally Posted by anitram

No need, I only drink the Diet kind!

you could ask them to end their complicity in the murder of trade unionists in colombia.