Governor Paterson Proposes Soft Drink 'Obesity Tax

[ThoughtCriminal]

Governor Paterson Proposes Soft Drink 'Obesity Tax

As if there aren't enough taxes, you could soon be paying more for soda.

In an effort to close the $15 billion state budget gap, New York Governor David Paterson is calling for a 15 percent tax on soft drinks.

If you drink diet, you're okay. The tax would only be imposed on regular, non-diet soft drinks.

The logic: it could generate more than $400 million while helping to curve obesity.

For that reason some public health advocates support the soda tax, hoping it will lead to healthier choices.

But a lot of people we spoke with aren't convinced diet soda is healthy.

"I think diet soda is unhealthy to begin with so I think they should tax all soda," said one local woman.

Ed Sherman at McBreen's Beverage in Lynbrook, thinks a new tax could make things real confusing.

"It would be a difficult thing to regulate what's considered diet and what's not considered diet," Sherman said. "There is a fine line with a lot of sodas."

The specifics of the proposed 15% soda tax haven't been released yet.

Details of the governors budget plan are expected to be unveiled Tuesday.

[ThoughtCriminal]

Notice how the people quoted in the article are not even debating the validity of this tax, they are only talking about the "diet" classification. This is a typical propaganda piece, don't talk about the main issue - just the worthless details.

[Dredly]

You know eating twinkie's are bad also... how about 15% on them... oh and potato chips are bad for you, 15% on them... candy bars are worse then soda! 15% on them too!

Hey lets not forget that a Big Mac has more fat and calories then a 6 pack of soda... tax on that...

fucking morons

[imperialism2024]

Hmpf, it seems that this tax would be discriminatory toward those suffering from hereditary coproporphyria

[1861]

many years ago when they started that crap with smokers I told my fat friends not to laugh too soon , their time would soon come .
Patterson is a democrat , right ?

[bpvet]

many years ago when they started that crap with smokers I told my fat friends not to laugh too soon , their time would soon come .
Patterson is a democrat , right ?

Thats correct. He is a democrat and they know what is good for you. How in the hell did you make it to your age without them telling you how to live?

[Kaos]

No wonder people are looking more into secessionist movements....sheeesh.

[LorDiego01]

I propose a "hanging" tax on ALL people who propose new taxes upon us.

Its simple, you propose a new tax, you hang from a tree.

This way we can save BILLIONS of dollars.

[billamj]

I propose a "hanging" tax on ALL people who propose new taxes upon us.

Its simple, you propose a new tax, you hang from a tree.

This way we can save BILLIONS of dollars.

I'll second your call on that one Diego. I can think of a bunch of people in our townships, and our state and federal capitals that would go into hiding just at the thought. That could only be a good thing, right?

[Kaos]

I propose a "hanging" tax on ALL people who propose new taxes upon us.

Its simple, you propose a new tax, you hang from a tree.

This way we can save BILLIONS of dollars.

Think of the trees! I think you need a "green" tax.