Fast Forward to November 7th

Quote Originally Posted by mattbrot:



Be Easy -- Of course there are MANY MANY things as bad or worse than soda. And yes you are correct that there is a huge irony when schools replace sodas in vending machines with powerade etc... And yes there are many many things that the government can and should fix if they want to take this "healthier society stance".

But does all of that mean that this small measure is not a step in the right direction?

Quote Originally Posted by be easy:



i see no benefit in replacing one evil with another

Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others.

like i said, i believe that good information trumps bullshit policy clouded with bad information. So long as the government perpetuates all the bad science and the bad information that goes along with it, a tax on soda serves no benefit to society, imo

Quote Originally Posted by ClubDirt:

take a look at a box of fruit loops, which probably has a disgusting amount of sugar and god knows what else in it.  the ftc, i think, regulates advertising.  at the top of the box, it should have a skull and crossbones but it says it's a good source of fiber and whole grains. 

no, it's not a good source of fiber.  broccoli is a good source of fiber.  and i won't get into the whole grains issue. 

the government could give a fuck about people's health.  there is a lot of subsidized corn farmers who need a place for their corn.  why not turn into into syrup, put it in everything and get the government to tell people there's a health benefit. 

Quote Originally Posted by mattbrot:



It is ironic I admit. As ironic as republicans wanting less government and then not allowing abortions. 

I can do it also - the irony goes both ways.

Quote Originally Posted by mattbrot:



Now back to this issue. You are correct in that it is not a ban. It is no different than a tax. You can still get the same volume of soda you just have to pay more for it.

Once again no different that a tax on smokes, booze etc... Do you have an issue with tax on smoke or that they even regulate who can smoke? If you really think about it the soda thing is not much different. 

It is no different than trying to reduce that amount of saturated fats that restaurants can use, trying to regulate the food that schools serve the children for lunch, no different than trying to regulate the options available in vending machines at schools etc... There are many examples.

I will not go through all the numbers but I can provide them if you want but briefly -
- Approximately 1/3 of children in the US are overweight and/or obese (triple that of 3 decades ago).
- And it is estimated that over 50% of people in the US will be obese by 2030 (this number is a little higher depending on where you read).
- By 2030 it is estimated that the total healthcare costs associated attributable to obesity could be from 860 - 960 billion. Approximately 17% of US health expenses.

This does not even take into account the other diseases that obesity is a well known precursor for.

So if it is a small measure to try to have a healthier society than what is the issue?

Quote Originally Posted by mattbrot:



And Rooster this is a significant stretch to say the least.  No one is saying to ban these things and it is not even possible. The soda "tax" is simply to making a small stride to aid in fighting against obesity.

There is a huge difference between the two.

Quote Originally Posted by rooster010:



it does nothing but pad the coffers and rob liberty

treatment of a disease by way of symptoms is futile

you are on a very slippery slope

Quote Originally Posted by rooster010:



it will not aid the fight

that is the hypocrisy

Quote Originally Posted by rick3117:

Taxing things to limit their use is not the way a free society should solve their problems. The Cass Sunstein "nudge" doctrine in just scientific and economic tyranny.  Just as it would be if they passed a $5 dollar a bullet tax on ammo.  A clever way to subvert and undermine liberty is still just as bad as a frontal assault on liberty.

Quote Originally Posted by mattbrot:

Quote Originally Posted by jay10:

It's a bullshit law.....

Quote Originally Posted by jay10:

I don't agree with rooster much,,,,

 

 

But when I do......it's magical.....

Quote Originally Posted by mattbrot:

Quote Originally Posted by jay10:

My mom used to drink a 12 pack of Tab per week...She died of cancer at 55.