New CDC data about Obesity

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Why tax some vices like tobacco and not others?

That's an interesting debate. But why tax at all for cigs, booze, soda, pizza, fries...? I mean, let's take this point of view and run the continuum with it... Shoes can be harmful. So do we tax shoes? Many people say meat is harmful. Do we tax all meat? All forms of transportation can be harmful. Do we now tax that? Certain foods like grapefruit, kale... cause medicines to interrupt. Do we tax those? Some people's blood pressure goes up on message boards like this one. Do we tax those? I could go on with hundreds if not thousands of examples. And for some, it always ends in taxes, taxes, taxes.

At some point in time, sanity needs to step in. Taxes for anything and everything that could be construed to be potentially harmful and therefore it requires deep taxation just doesn't work for me. It's a slippery slope. Tax income, tax property, tax business, tax imports and have reasonable fees for other things is probably the way I prefer to look at things. But then again, I'm a small government type for the most part.

 

[Eastoff]

All forms of transportation can be harmful. Do we now tax that? ... Some people's blood pressure goes up on message boards like this one. Do we tax those?

I think there already taxes on these things. (gas tax/planes tickets and internet fees/taxes)

At some point in time, sanity needs to step in. Taxes for anything and everything that could be construed to be potentially harmful and therefore it requires deep taxation just doesn't work for me. It's a slippery slope. Tax income, tax property, tax business, tax imports and have reasonable fees for other things is probably the way I prefer to look at things. But then again, I'm a small government type for the most part.

There are certain foods that are clearly going to give the average human a heart attack if you eat them regularly, right? So clearly these foods are harmful, not potentially.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I think there already taxes on these things. (gas tax/planes tickets and internet fees/taxes)

That's true.

There are certain foods that are clearly going to give the average human a heart attack if you eat them regularly, right? So clearly these foods are harmful, not potentially.

The point is that once we start taxing everything that may be harmful, where does it all end?

 

[RR7]

The point is that once we start taxing everything that may be harmful, where does it all end?

With people regulating the amount of harmful shit they do and/or put into their body because of the financial, as well as physical toll it takes?

 

[HailBlazers]

When congress passed legislation requiring that hospitals treated everyone who comes to an ER, health went from being a private issue to a public issue.

Somebody has to pay for emergency room visits for those who can't pay. That somebody is either the taxpayer or other patients attending that ER. If you agree that it's ok to stick all of us with poor people's ER bills, don't get mad when we start passing legislation that drives down those bills. Helmet laws, seat belts, soft drink laws, preventative medicine, subsidized birth control--to me it's all about reducing ER visits (and consequently my own overall health care/tax bill).

Repped. Were all in this together.

 

[Eastoff]

The point is that once we start taxing everything that may be harmful, where does it all end?

I think Mook made a good point. I know it gets bad, and taxing everything harmful is not the answer. But it is an imperfect solution to a serious problem, when not a lot of other solutions have been given.

 

[mook]

The point is that once we start taxing everything that may be harmful, where does it all end?

I find most "where does it all end" type of slippery slope arguments horse shit.

If we start outlawing rape, what about people who maybe had bad consensual sex? Should you serve time because you suck at going down on your wife? Where does it end?

If we start outlawing robbery, then what happens if you take a pen from the restaurant? Should you get the death penalty?

Give me a break. It "ends" where common sense says it should end. We can argue around the edges of common sense, but it ain't that hard. Slippery slope arguments are usually the last resort of people who just don't like something but haven't a good reason to justify it.

There is not nor has there ever been an argument that shoes should be taxed because they are dangerous. That's just retarded.

 

[RR7]

but what if people want to marry animals. Where does it all end?!?!:MARIS61:

repped

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Give me a break. It "ends" where common sense says it should end.

And that's my point. We no longer have common sense in government.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

There is not nor has there ever been an argument that shoes should be taxed because they are dangerous. That's just retarded.

Or soda. Until now.

So tell me all about retard...

 

[mook]

Or soda. Until now.

So tell me all about retard...

When somebody tries to outlaw shoes, argue about that. Until then, it's retarded to make up something nobody is arguing about and then argue that whatever you just made up is a bad idea.

Now if you want to argue about something that actually exists (limiting the size of sugary drinks), be my guest.

 

[mook]

Personally, if I have to pay taxes/insurance to subsidize the inevitable ER visit of some lard ass who drinks gallons of pepsi a day, yeah, I got no problem with making it harder for him to chug gallons of pepsi.

 

[ABM]

Yep. Conservative = fat = lower education = more sucking at the public teat. Maps don't lie - there is a correlation there.

barfo

Maybe.

That said, I'd wager I'm way thinner...and in much better shape than you.

jus sayin

 

[barfo]

Maybe.

That said, I'd wager I'm way thinner...and in much better shape than you.

jus sayin

You could wager that, but I've seen pictures of you, so I'd be taking that wager (at least the thin part. Maybe not the fit part).

Besides, you are out here in thin, liberal, educated, tax-paying land now. You don't count towards Atlanta anymore.

barfo

 

[ABM]

You could wager that, but I've seen pictures of you, so I'd be taking that wager (at least the thin part. Maybe not the fit part).

Besides, you are out here in thin, liberal, educated, tax-paying land now. You don't count towards Atlanta anymore.

barfo

You'll have my attention when some of those so-called taxes go towards mending the pot-holed streets of Milwaukie. Talk about a travesty.

 

[Eastoff]

You'll have my attention when some of those so-called taxes go towards mending the pot-holed streets of Milwaukie. Talk about a travesty.

yeah seriously, some of the roads on the east side of the river are ridiculous

 

[jlprk]

You'll have my attention when some of those so-called taxes go towards mending the pot-holed streets of Milwaukie. Talk about a travesty.

Listen you government-loving socialist, rich people can fix potholes, and trickle down the cost to us with increased prices and decreased hiring.