First, on a minor note, the last comment from "I" would best be served by using spell check before submitting a comment, rediculas is properly spelled ridiculous.
Secondly, human beings in the U.S. generally are not able to control their eating habits (and a small majority also can not control their spending habits either!), especially the lower the socio-economic status/income the less they are able to eat properly; partially due to income but I believe education is the real culprit. People do not read or care about their personal well being, even not flossing your teeth/brushing on a daily basis will contribute to an unhealthy situation for most (their is a relationship between lack of flossing and heart attacks, because the unflossed teeth have food matter that breaksdown and gets into your blood stream via your gums potentially causing serious health problems! However, educating oneself about this and also how to shop for healthier foods for their family would surely contribute to a healthier population. Moreover, the government should demand more strict regulations on the food industry, especially those companies that add those ingredients in food that literally will make one hungrier and leading to more food intake; decreasing the amount of sugar in processed foods; find other ways to preserve food and reduce the amount of preservatives that are in most foods and lastly, make fast food establishments continue to change their menus to offer healthier choices (Ever see the movie Super Size Me, pick it up and learn!). We are our own worst enemies when it comes to our habits! Obviously, no one wants more regulation by a government that cannot control their own over-spending habits and pork programs for oil and wealthy farmers; however, I as a very fit consumer who eats propertly, exercises and didn't borrow money that I could not pay back, ( but I as well as the 90% of consumers who did pay their mortgages, got penalized financially for being good consumers). The healthcare system is being stressed out by those who do not take care of themselves either by their unacceptable eating habits, poor or no exercise regimen. This costs everyone for those who are in need of more healthcare services, because they do not care about their personal well being; this is also extremely selfish and inconsiderate. I for one, do not want to pay a dime extra for those people who do not practice proper health and all that goes with it!! There are exceptions for those who may have genetic problems as well as situations that may occur beyond their control, etc. I do not want to share the ignorance and stupidity of those who could give a rat's ass about their fellow man. Once the attitude of the public changes (fat chance, LOL) and we begin to realize what we do will directly or indirectly have an affect on one another and the costs associated with this lack of caring should be carried by those who want to practice their unhealthy lifestyles. Do what you want, just don't expect the small healthier population to pay for your piss poor habits! Oh, and by the way, I think it is 40% of our population do not vote (I wonder how many of them are either overweight or those that bitch and moan, but do nothing about their situations!!!) The most unhealthy state in our country is Mississippi and the healthiest is Colorado, boy, I wonder why? We all must begin to be accountable for our actions and not expect the rest of us to keep paying the tab!!!! I have had enough of the lazy, apathetic, non-caring, ignorant people who expect the "Free Ride" for the "Free Ride"is Over and we had better get our S__T together otherwise the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India & China) Nations will be doing us in. Oh Yeh, we also better begin to create jobs to rebuild our nations, roads, bridges & tunnels and re-activating the budget for the high speed rail systems that we so desperately need in the south, west and the east to reduce our dependence on oil!!!!
I - 13 years ago
I think this is rediculas. A fat tax? Let people eat what they want! I'm nit obesse and now their saying I gotta pay extra? We got enought taxes let it be! My oppinion!
tj - 13 years ago
I think it is a good thing.This can help over waited people. But a bad thing is.. People that use it need to pay a tax.Alot of people arent going to like paying ANOTHER tax. Like just drinking coffee in the morning...I'm gonna have to pay another tax for this!
leah - 13 years ago
I have to agree with Carmen. Our family is the only family on my street of 23 homes that walks, maintains a healthy weight and plays outside with our kids and grandkids. People do not eat healty or maintain a healthy lifestyle but money seems to talk so maybe they would do so if it was going to cost more to be unhealthy.
Other's not taking care of themselves, punishes and penalizes those of us who do in many ways. All of us should be responsible for our health and our weight, and teach our children to do the same. It is respectful and economical.
Jim - 13 years ago
Instead of higher tax on unhealthy food, give a tax credit for healthy food. Roger is wrong. Giving up freedoms to psuedo-intellectuals is illogical. Overpopulation is the problem, not too much freedom.
Roger Jenning - 13 years ago
Freedoms to consume and waste are destroying this planet. We need governments to step in and make stop the insane toxic practices that industries have led us to. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, IT HAS COSTS TO THIS PLANET. Unchecked freedoms to consume are our own destruction.
Michael b. Mc Sherry - 13 years ago
With all of the government regulations and laws we now have. To let them control, what we eat is totally ridiculous. If each individual is not capable of eating properly, they are the ones to suffer.
The manufactures of processed foods, well most of them should be fined for the crap that they put in their products. A hot dog with 400 mg of sodium is criminal. Sodas with HFCS in it is not just unhealthy, but misleading with the commercials they are trying to pull off on the tv, with people walking through a corn field. The artificial butter, made completely from chemicals and dyes (chemicals also).
Milk--less than whole milk will cause a lot of side effects that the public is never made aware of. They think fat free is the best, yet it will do more damage to the body, than most people are aware of.
Alice - 13 years ago
Hate to tell you, but we already have it!! Sugared soft drinks and sweet tea are taxed. Unsweetened tea is not!
Carmen - 13 years ago
It will be beneficial for all of us if everybody would start eating healthy, but that won't happen because most people don't care. So, if you choose to keep eating junk, Mary Jo and Beverly, then you pay the tax. Look around you, how many healthy people do you know? I'm the only one in my street.
So yes, I think it should be installed because, clearly, most people can't make the right decisions for themselves and I end up paying for that.
Grow up and take responsibility.
Susan - 13 years ago
If you don't eat sugar, fat and salt you don't pay the tax. It is a choice!!!! Eating excess sugar, fat and salt harms the public, taxes our health system and reduces our ability as a nation to lead productive lives.
Beverly - 13 years ago
Sorry, Mary Jo, the path has been started and we are all going to be told what light bulb to use, what to eat, drink, drive and on and on. We have given Government too much lee-way and freedom with our laws and money and have been playing in the sun too long. Now our children and granchildren will have to pay for our dis-interest and laziness. Unless, somehow, we wake people up!!! January 2012 starts the new law--see this link for some of the details on this one!! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41080442/ns/business-oil_and_energy/
The point being--Do you REALLY want someone telling you what to do, wear, eat, watch,k listen to? Keep letting Government into every part of our lives and that is what will happen, as it IS happening right now.
We HAVE to stop them (government) no matter who they are
Mary Jo Midurawhite - 13 years ago
If we are a society that prides itself on FREEDOM why would we decide to control what people eat? Where will it end? Telling us what to wear or where to spend our time? Such a tax would open the door to unimaginable possibilities! In our countries and over time history has shone that the more that is allowed to dictate what people do has, in time, cost the individuals greatly in many of their personal liberties!! We dare not start down such a path...
First, on a minor note, the last comment from "I" would best be served by using spell check before submitting a comment, rediculas is properly spelled ridiculous.
Secondly, human beings in the U.S. generally are not able to control their eating habits (and a small majority also can not control their spending habits either!), especially the lower the socio-economic status/income the less they are able to eat properly; partially due to income but I believe education is the real culprit. People do not read or care about their personal well being, even not flossing your teeth/brushing on a daily basis will contribute to an unhealthy situation for most (their is a relationship between lack of flossing and heart attacks, because the unflossed teeth have food matter that breaksdown and gets into your blood stream via your gums potentially causing serious health problems! However, educating oneself about this and also how to shop for healthier foods for their family would surely contribute to a healthier population. Moreover, the government should demand more strict regulations on the food industry, especially those companies that add those ingredients in food that literally will make one hungrier and leading to more food intake; decreasing the amount of sugar in processed foods; find other ways to preserve food and reduce the amount of preservatives that are in most foods and lastly, make fast food establishments continue to change their menus to offer healthier choices (Ever see the movie Super Size Me, pick it up and learn!). We are our own worst enemies when it comes to our habits! Obviously, no one wants more regulation by a government that cannot control their own over-spending habits and pork programs for oil and wealthy farmers; however, I as a very fit consumer who eats propertly, exercises and didn't borrow money that I could not pay back, ( but I as well as the 90% of consumers who did pay their mortgages, got penalized financially for being good consumers). The healthcare system is being stressed out by those who do not take care of themselves either by their unacceptable eating habits, poor or no exercise regimen. This costs everyone for those who are in need of more healthcare services, because they do not care about their personal well being; this is also extremely selfish and inconsiderate. I for one, do not want to pay a dime extra for those people who do not practice proper health and all that goes with it!! There are exceptions for those who may have genetic problems as well as situations that may occur beyond their control, etc. I do not want to share the ignorance and stupidity of those who could give a rat's ass about their fellow man. Once the attitude of the public changes (fat chance, LOL) and we begin to realize what we do will directly or indirectly have an affect on one another and the costs associated with this lack of caring should be carried by those who want to practice their unhealthy lifestyles. Do what you want, just don't expect the small healthier population to pay for your piss poor habits! Oh, and by the way, I think it is 40% of our population do not vote (I wonder how many of them are either overweight or those that bitch and moan, but do nothing about their situations!!!) The most unhealthy state in our country is Mississippi and the healthiest is Colorado, boy, I wonder why? We all must begin to be accountable for our actions and not expect the rest of us to keep paying the tab!!!! I have had enough of the lazy, apathetic, non-caring, ignorant people who expect the "Free Ride" for the "Free Ride"is Over and we had better get our S__T together otherwise the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India & China) Nations will be doing us in. Oh Yeh, we also better begin to create jobs to rebuild our nations, roads, bridges & tunnels and re-activating the budget for the high speed rail systems that we so desperately need in the south, west and the east to reduce our dependence on oil!!!!
I think this is rediculas. A fat tax? Let people eat what they want! I'm nit obesse and now their saying I gotta pay extra? We got enought taxes let it be! My oppinion!
I think it is a good thing.This can help over waited people. But a bad thing is.. People that use it need to pay a tax.Alot of people arent going to like paying ANOTHER tax. Like just drinking coffee in the morning...I'm gonna have to pay another tax for this!
I have to agree with Carmen. Our family is the only family on my street of 23 homes that walks, maintains a healthy weight and plays outside with our kids and grandkids. People do not eat healty or maintain a healthy lifestyle but money seems to talk so maybe they would do so if it was going to cost more to be unhealthy.
Other's not taking care of themselves, punishes and penalizes those of us who do in many ways. All of us should be responsible for our health and our weight, and teach our children to do the same. It is respectful and economical.
Instead of higher tax on unhealthy food, give a tax credit for healthy food. Roger is wrong. Giving up freedoms to psuedo-intellectuals is illogical. Overpopulation is the problem, not too much freedom.
Freedoms to consume and waste are destroying this planet. We need governments to step in and make stop the insane toxic practices that industries have led us to. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, IT HAS COSTS TO THIS PLANET. Unchecked freedoms to consume are our own destruction.
With all of the government regulations and laws we now have. To let them control, what we eat is totally ridiculous. If each individual is not capable of eating properly, they are the ones to suffer.
The manufactures of processed foods, well most of them should be fined for the crap that they put in their products. A hot dog with 400 mg of sodium is criminal. Sodas with HFCS in it is not just unhealthy, but misleading with the commercials they are trying to pull off on the tv, with people walking through a corn field. The artificial butter, made completely from chemicals and dyes (chemicals also).
Milk--less than whole milk will cause a lot of side effects that the public is never made aware of. They think fat free is the best, yet it will do more damage to the body, than most people are aware of.
Hate to tell you, but we already have it!! Sugared soft drinks and sweet tea are taxed. Unsweetened tea is not!
It will be beneficial for all of us if everybody would start eating healthy, but that won't happen because most people don't care. So, if you choose to keep eating junk, Mary Jo and Beverly, then you pay the tax. Look around you, how many healthy people do you know? I'm the only one in my street.
So yes, I think it should be installed because, clearly, most people can't make the right decisions for themselves and I end up paying for that.
Grow up and take responsibility.
If you don't eat sugar, fat and salt you don't pay the tax. It is a choice!!!! Eating excess sugar, fat and salt harms the public, taxes our health system and reduces our ability as a nation to lead productive lives.
Sorry, Mary Jo, the path has been started and we are all going to be told what light bulb to use, what to eat, drink, drive and on and on. We have given Government too much lee-way and freedom with our laws and money and have been playing in the sun too long. Now our children and granchildren will have to pay for our dis-interest and laziness. Unless, somehow, we wake people up!!! January 2012 starts the new law--see this link for some of the details on this one!! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41080442/ns/business-oil_and_energy/
The point being--Do you REALLY want someone telling you what to do, wear, eat, watch,k listen to? Keep letting Government into every part of our lives and that is what will happen, as it IS happening right now.
We HAVE to stop them (government) no matter who they are
If we are a society that prides itself on FREEDOM why would we decide to control what people eat? Where will it end? Telling us what to wear or where to spend our time? Such a tax would open the door to unimaginable possibilities! In our countries and over time history has shone that the more that is allowed to dictate what people do has, in time, cost the individuals greatly in many of their personal liberties!! We dare not start down such a path...