Senator Eddie Lucio from Brownsville is proposing a new tax. One cent per ounce on sweetened soft drinks. His argument for this tax is the obesity problem needs addressed. Again, they are calling this a "sin" tax. Reminiscent of the taxes levied against smokers, they stand to gain almost 2 billion dollars per year as proposed by the Democrat from Brownsville. His argument is based upon the idea that everyone has to pay for the health care of obese individuals.
What Lucio fails to realize is that soft drinks don't make people obese or I would probably weigh 700 lbs. True obesity is caused by overeating and lack of exercise. If you overeat, drink only water and sit on your fat ass all the time, you will still be fat. Facts are facts...if your children are fat, you aren't making them get enough exercise. How about taxing parents for each pound their child is overweight? Tax, tax, tax...that's the war cry these days and I'm sick of it.
One of the major problems here is who we call obese. Measuring a person by the BMI (Body Mass Index) is totally stupid. For example, I got into body building and gained 30 lbs. of muscle at one time. I was lean and fit yet according to my BMI, I was overweight. Had I gained another 10 lbs..I would have been considered obese. Realizing this, I discovered that everyone who is very muscular is also considered obese. They claim that 25% of Americans are obese, go anywhere and actually look and see how many obese people you can count walking around. It is nowhere near 25%! Sure, there are overweight people but you wouldn't exactly call everyone who is overweight...OBESE!
My other major problem with this proposal is the nanny state. Back in the good old days this was a free country. Busy bodies weren't taxing us to get us to do their bidding. Why are we allowing our government the control that they have on us now? I cannot believe that Americans are just sitting on their hands and not doing anything to stop the steamrolling politicians. Personally, I don't need a bunch of do-gooders making my decisions for me.
Lastly, they claim that obesity and smoking is driving up the cost of health care. Yes, I know the dangers of smoking. Everyone who claims that they pay for my health care though, I would sincerely appreciate a check each month since you are paying for my health care. When I get a doctor bill I have to pay it, not you! So it really isn't costing you a thing, so quit your bitching. I can't afford health insurance so I haven't cost you a dime. All the taxes levied on my tobacco use haven't went toward paying for your health care either. Smokers aren't the enemy..it's the damn politicians! Rather than buying all the hype you hear from the media..try thinking things through before you jump on the bandwagon.
It's vital that we stop taxing to regulate any certain group of people. It's simply discrimination. I now understand why people from around the world think Americans are dumb, because we as a group definitely fit the mold.
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