This, plus a large dose of what Tom said. - Edit 2
Before modification by Joel at 13/11/2012 08:43:52 PM
I understand governments need to get their cash from somewhere, and that excessive sugars and fats can cause a health risk but i don't think penal taxes are the way to do it.
There is also the fact that those in lower socio-economic groups tend to be net higher consumers of the processed foods which contain these higher levels of unhealthy additives.
There is also the fact that those in lower socio-economic groups tend to be net higher consumers of the processed foods which contain these higher levels of unhealthy additives.
In fact, I go further than he does, because most of the same arguments apply to cigarettes, alcohol and the like. Most places already tax poverty and stupidity with something called "the lottery." Government has no business telling free people how to live or what to do with their own bodies (else it could tell most people pushing fast food taxes to go to Hell when they start screaming, "My body, my choice111" on abortion and gay rights.) Coercion through taxes rather than law enforcement is only nominally, not actually, better.
However, the real kicker is this: Sin taxes do not work. I mean, they work beautifully as a revenue stream because they hit so many people (usually, as you note, those who can least afford it,) though if that were the sole goal and legitimate taxing air would work even better. Sin taxes do not end sin though. The number of people who quit smoking because of sky high tobacco taxes is negligible, and I guarantee higher alcohol taxes never drove anyone to AA. The dirty secret of sin taxes is that their advocates NO they do not end the socially unacceptable behavior: THAT IS WHY THE TAX IS SO LUCRATIVE!
In terms of healthy diets and taxes, the US may offer the best, and least coercive option: Rather than raising taxes on unhealthy food, abolish taxes on raw food. That encourages people to prepare their own meals, knowing what goes into them and with the option of choosing not only healthy food but healthy preparation, without all the unhealthy preservatives and other chemicals in hyper-processed food. One of the biggest shocks I encountered on moving to Norway was the VAT on things like fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, raw meat, etc. What labor added value to an egg or an apple...?
Tom, if you are reading this: I owe you a reply, but it must wait another day; 12 hour days are beating my ass, socialist paradise or no.
