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socialized medicine = junk food tax

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:53 pm
by Kilarin
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/taxes ... /19389681/

Last time I said this, folks laughed at me. BUT, if tax dollars are paying for your health care, then the government actually DOES have a vested interest in controlling your behavior in order to reduce costs.

The current state of health care in the U.S. is all messed up, but going socialized is going to make things worse, not better.

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:28 pm
by AlphaDoG
Do NOT get between Me and BACON!

Re:

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:21 am
by TigerRaptor
AlphaDoG wrote:Do NOT get between Me and BACON!
Don't you mean Beggin Strips?

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:51 am
by snoopy
Tell me, do you see an ideological difference between this and our current alcohol/tobacco taxes? (That's to no one in particular.)

It seems to be just an extension of the existing precedent... though it changes government level from state to federal, which I don't agree with.

From a libertarian point of view, I think the government (especially the federal government) should stay out of all of it. From a pragmatic point of view, I tend to agree with Kil; if they're going to butt in our healthcare, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to butt in on our eating habits.

Re: socialized medicine = junk food tax

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:39 am
by Xamindar
Kilarin wrote: The current state of health care in the U.S. is all messed up, but going socialized is going to make things worse, not better.
Still at this debate? I'm surprised everyone hasn't figured out that going socialized is a serious bad idea. Why are people still debating this when if you look at any other country that does it you will see that it's a complete mess? :?

Why tax pizza? Not all pizza is bad. I can see taxing fast food more though. This article makes no sense because there are lots of healthy as well as unhealthy food in any category.

Re:

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:57 pm
by SilverFJ
snoopy wrote:Tell me, do you see an ideological difference between this and our current alcohol/tobacco taxes? (That's to no one in particular.)

It seems to be just an extension of the existing precedent... though it changes government level from state to federal, which I don't agree with.

From a libertarian point of view, I think the government (especially the federal government) should stay out of all of it. From a pragmatic point of view, I tend to agree with Kil; if they're going to butt in our healthcare, I don't see why they shouldn't be able to butt in on our eating habits.
It's absolutely none of their f*ck*ng business what I eat. That's why.

It's none of their business how much Cope I chew either, or how much Old Crow I drink.

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:45 pm
by Spidey
First of all…Pizza is “not” junk food.

Second, as I said on the other board when this was proposed…if they start taxing “junk food” how long will it be before everything becomes “junk food”. (rhetorical)

You might as well just outlaw these things instead, then they can make tons of money off of the new vice squads, and such. The war on fat! :x

Oh yea…I just wanted to add, Pizza was picked because that’s where the bucks is.

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:45 pm
by Kilarin
SilverFJ wrote:It's absolutely none of their f*ck*ng business what I eat. That's why.

It's none of their business how much Cope I chew either, or how much Old Crow I drink.
As long as they aren't paying for your health care it isn't.

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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:56 pm
by SilverFJ
Kilarin wrote:
SilverFJ wrote:It's absolutely none of their f*ck*ng business what I eat. That's why.

It's none of their business how much Cope I chew either, or how much Old Crow I drink.
As long as they aren't paying for your health care it isn't.
If my simple vices begin the process of killing me, I'm gunna go out with dignity, which probably involves a high cliff or a .357.

Unlike most people my age, I know what accountability for my own actions means. There'll be no dragging of my ass for people to deal with because I made some stupid decisions. (Which Old Crow and Copenhagen definitely are.)

Healthcare isn't a right, and neither is education. These are privileges where plenty of people died so I could have them. And lemme tell you, I appreciate the living ★■◆● out of these things I'm allowed to have because of the sacrifices of good men and women.

People my age never learned or forgot somewhere along the line that nothing comes for free, and the only satisfactions you're going to have in life are a good love and good hard work.

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:29 pm
by Spidey
Privilege

1. restricted right or benefit: an advantage, right, or benefit that is not available to everyone

I’m sorry but, I have to disagree with you, healthcare and education are both freedoms/liberties shared by all.

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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:27 am
by SilverFJ
Spidey wrote:Privilege

1. restricted right or benefit: an advantage, right, or benefit that is not available to everyone

I’m sorry but, I have to disagree with you, healthcare and education are both freedoms/liberties shared by all.
Oh.

Sorry.

Tell that to parent-less, ill, un-educated Somalian children. I'm sure they'd get a kick out of it.
I wish I could reach through your screen...

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:46 am
by Spidey
Bring it ★■◆●!

I thought we were speaking about America.

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:57 am
by woodchip
So what part of pizza is bad? The cheese? The bread crust? Or perhaps the tomato sauce? Do we cut out any and all foods that contain any of the above.? Please let me know before I starve to death.

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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:32 am
by *SilverFJ
Spidey wrote:Bring it *****!

I thought we were speaking about America.
Oh, no, when I think about human rights I think about all humans, and that's why I was saying that we're privileged to have an education and health care.

Even in America though, you have to acknowledge that things kids get that they don't toil for they don't appreciate as much as things they worked for themselves.

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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 12:49 pm
by Duper
woodchip wrote:So what part of pizza is bad? The cheese? The bread crust? Or perhaps the tomato sauce? Do we cut out any and all foods that contain any of the above.? Please let me know before I starve to death.
With commercialized pizza, the fat content is over the top; both in type and quantity. If you make it at home from scratch, I'm sure the nutritional value would greatly increase.
With any food, moderation is the key.

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:12 pm
by Isaac
I once lived next to this fat guy that would order a pizza, deep fry each slice, then dip the slice in Ranch dressing between each bite. USA...USA....

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:27 pm
by Spidey
Maybe we could just keep track of what everyone eats, and when the calories go over a limit, you get taxed.

Or better yet, how bout we round everyone up every month or so and weigh them…then levy a “gluttony” tax…yea that’s the ticket.
woodchip wrote:So what part of pizza is bad? The cheese? The bread crust? Or perhaps the tomato sauce? Do we cut out any and all foods that contain any of the above.? Please let me know before I starve to death.
Maybe they are just picking on Italian food?

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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:50 pm
by Duper
Spidey wrote: Or better yet, how bout we round everyone up every month or so and weigh them…then levy a “gluttony” tax…yea that’s the ticket.
now yur cookin with gas! :lol:

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:07 pm
by Krom
And as a side benefit, there will be less people sitting next to you on the airlines who take up all of their seat and half of yours too.