Comments on: Is A Fat Tax A Legitimate Source of Tax Revenue? http://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/ Personal Finance Blog, Your Guide to Financial Fitness Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jillhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-34038 Jill Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:52:00 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-34038 The only bad thing about BMI ratios are that they are skewed considerably. According to BMI, most athletes if weighed down with muscles are considered morbidly obese. As an exercise physiologist, I work with football players, tennis players, basketball players, and wrestlers that are morbidly obese because they are 40lbs over what statics state they should way. It does not consider muscle mass or bone density in its calculations. So, what should we go by instead? The only bad thing about BMI ratios are that they are skewed considerably. According to BMI, most athletes if weighed down with muscles are considered morbidly obese. As an exercise physiologist, I work with football players, tennis players, basketball players, and wrestlers that are morbidly obese because they are 40lbs over what statics state they should way. It does not consider muscle mass or bone density in its calculations. So, what should we go by instead?

]]> By: Sarahhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-33237 Sarah Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:40:00 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-33237 Your "free country" has more rules than you can shake a stick at already, are you really surprised with one more. And you should know that skinny does not equal healthy. Tons of skinny people have health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, cancers of all kinds and many, many more. Some people are just naturally thin. If you don't feed your body properly and use it to its full potential (a.k.a. exercise) you will get sick at some point. Also, this isn't to stop people from eating junk food or to harm anyone, it's simply to offset the medical costs they create when they get sick because they don't take care of themselves. Its not fair for people who work hard to take care of themselves to pay higher premiums because you want a burger for lunch everyday. This tax would actually help by lowering healthcare premiums and making healthy foods the cheaper option. Actions have consequences, period. You're not being told what to do, but if you want to eat the junk food, you have to pay the tax for it. Just like smokers have to pay the tax on cigarettes because its widely known that cigarettes cause a slew of health problems that have to paid for somehow, why not by the people who smoke? As for a tax on actually being fat, that's ridiculous! If you are making bad choices that lead to healthcare costs, by all means tax the foods that do it, however some people are born with health problems that cause obesity and should only be charged for the bad decisions they choose to make. And I completely agree with the incentive plan Amy mentioned, but why not an incentive and a tax plan? Your “free country” has more rules than you can shake a stick at already, are you really surprised with one more. And you should know that skinny does not equal healthy. Tons of skinny people have health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, cancers of all kinds and many, many more. Some people are just naturally thin. If you don’t feed your body properly and use it to its full potential (a.k.a. exercise) you will get sick at some point. Also, this isn’t to stop people from eating junk food or to harm anyone, it’s simply to offset the medical costs they create when they get sick because they don’t take care of themselves. Its not fair for people who work hard to take care of themselves to pay higher premiums because you want a burger for lunch everyday. This tax would actually help by lowering healthcare premiums and making healthy foods the cheaper option. Actions have consequences, period. You’re not being told what to do, but if you want to eat the junk food, you have to pay the tax for it. Just like smokers have to pay the tax on cigarettes because its widely known that cigarettes cause a slew of health problems that have to paid for somehow, why not by the people who smoke? As for a tax on actually being fat, that’s ridiculous! If you are making bad choices that lead to healthcare costs, by all means tax the foods that do it, however some people are born with health problems that cause obesity and should only be charged for the bad decisions they choose to make. And I completely agree with the incentive plan Amy mentioned, but why not an incentive and a tax plan?

]]> By: guessurronghttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-33215 guessurrong Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:22:00 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-33215 Fat tax is another poor tax like the lottery... Fat tax is another poor tax like the lottery…

]]> By: not givenhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-21982 not given Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:20:44 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-21982 First take all sales taxes off food, (not ready to eat deli or restaurant food,) then put a VAT tax on everything that is done to it. That would make fresh and some frozen foods cheaper than highly processed foods. It wouldn't just be a tax on putting something in can or box it would be putting a tax on each and every ingredient that is added to the finished product plus the tax on putting it in the can. The consumer pays no tax directly on food, but the healthier alternatives would end up more affordable and most of the crap on the shelves would be more expensive. Even a lot of the crap fast food restaurants sell would be higher, since so much of it comes already made and just needs to be fried or nuked, plus they would still be collecting sales taxes, too. The effect would be more people eating real food and staying healthy longer and the tax can pay for the health care costs for when people eat too much crap and lose their health. Everybody has to eat something. Of course, the ConAgra/General Mills, etc would scream bloody murder. First take all sales taxes off food, (not ready to eat deli or restaurant food,) then put a VAT tax on everything that is done to it. That would make fresh and some frozen foods cheaper than highly processed foods. It wouldn’t just be a tax on putting something in can or box it would be putting a tax on each and every ingredient that is added to the finished product plus the tax on putting it in the can. The consumer pays no tax directly on food, but the healthier alternatives would end up more affordable and most of the crap on the shelves would be more expensive. Even a lot of the crap fast food restaurants sell would be higher, since so much of it comes already made and just needs to be fried or nuked, plus they would still be collecting sales taxes, too.
The effect would be more people eating real food and staying healthy longer and the tax can pay for the health care costs for when people eat too much crap and lose their health. Everybody has to eat something. Of course, the ConAgra/General Mills, etc would scream bloody murder.

]]> By: Danhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-21978 Dan Sun, 20 Feb 2011 14:29:16 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-21978 Yes we need a fat tax. I don't want to hear about how it would be discrimination either. If that was the case why weren't these same people crying about the tax hike on cigarettes! We live in a screwed up world. I don't want your second hand smoke in my face because it will shorten my life, when your stuffing your face with fatty fast foods that will kill you, but that's ok. Grow up people! You can't have it both ways. When I buy a pack of cigarettes I pay my share of taxes that will pay for my health care down the road, unlike the the fat people that don't pay any tax on their fatty foods and don't pay anything to health care for them down the road and then want me a, smoker to have to pay their bills too. Give me a brake. And you wonder why people call Americans dumb! Yes we need a fat tax. I don’t want to hear about how it would be discrimination either. If that was the case why weren’t these same people crying about the tax hike on cigarettes! We live in a screwed up world.
I don’t want your second hand smoke in my face because it will shorten my life, when your stuffing your face with fatty fast foods that will kill you, but that’s ok. Grow up people! You can’t have it both ways.
When I buy a pack of cigarettes I pay my share of taxes that will pay for my health care down the road, unlike the the fat people that don’t pay any tax on their fatty foods and don’t pay anything to health care for them down the road and then want me a, smoker to have to pay their bills too. Give me a brake. And you wonder why people call Americans dumb!

]]> By: Katelynhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-15848 Katelyn Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:25:01 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-15848 Great idea to tax fatty foods. I am writing an argumentative paper on this topic and I am all for it. Your facts help me get to where i want to be. And just because the foods are higher taxed doesn't mean you can't buy them. Cigarettes go up in taxes frequently and Americans find a way to purchase them. Therefore, Americans will come up with a way to buy the fattty foods if they really want to remain unhealthy. But the fact that raising these taxes will decrease obesity in America and save nearly 3000 lives a year is great. Tax fatty foods! Great idea to tax fatty foods. I am writing an argumentative paper on this topic and I am all for it. Your facts help me get to where i want to be. And just because the foods are higher taxed doesn’t mean you can’t buy them. Cigarettes go up in taxes frequently and Americans find a way to purchase them. Therefore, Americans will come up with a way to buy the fattty foods if they really want to remain unhealthy. But the fact that raising these taxes will decrease obesity in America and save nearly 3000 lives a year is great. Tax fatty foods!

]]> By: Ashleyhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-14889 Ashley Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:25:37 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-14889 I'm against it, because I weigh 102lbs I am 19 years old and under weight about 20lbs. I need the high calorie foods, because I am trying to gain weight. Anybody who has an illness that caused them to loos weight need high calorie foods. I was in a severe depression and I could not eat anything. All I drank was shakes and soda. This law is unrealistic and unnacceptable I’m against it, because I weigh 102lbs I am 19 years old and under weight about 20lbs. I need the high calorie foods, because I am trying to gain weight. Anybody who has an illness that caused them to loos weight need high calorie foods. I was in a severe depression and I could not eat anything. All I drank was shakes and soda. This law is unrealistic and unnacceptable

]]> By: Jkathttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11912 Jkat Fri, 21 May 2010 01:55:56 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11912 but being a dui is very lethal whether one enjoys it or not, i dont think that u have quite grasped the point of the initial idea of a fat tax. it is not to stop people from doing things they enjoy but other people dont like... it was just one possible way to wake up the nation, increase revenue for healthcare and maybe even subsidies for whole foods... though i do agree that fat taxes are just not the way to go about raising these funds.... it is a tax that depends on people buying the very sinful thing that the tax is trying to prevent being bought by consumers. but being a dui is very lethal whether one enjoys it or not, i dont think that u have quite grasped the point of the initial idea of a fat tax. it is not to stop people from doing things they enjoy but other people dont like… it was just one possible way to wake up the nation, increase revenue for healthcare and maybe even subsidies for whole foods… though i do agree that fat taxes are just not the way to go about raising these funds…. it is a tax that depends on people buying the very sinful thing that the tax is trying to prevent being bought by consumers.

]]> By: Jkathttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11911 Jkat Fri, 21 May 2010 01:28:13 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11911 why r people so resistant to the idea in the first place, i admit that it probably wouldnt do anyone anygood economically considering past records of goverment spending of tax revenues... but the initial idea is not what we should be fighting, we should be trying to find out other ways on how to lower whole food costs while not taxing junk food and only punishing the poor. But one point I want to make is that america has an extremely agressive, selfish and greedy attitude... and apparently when it comes to food not just money... why r people so resistant to the idea in the first place, i admit that it probably wouldnt do anyone anygood economically considering past records of goverment spending of tax revenues… but the initial idea is not what we should be fighting, we should be trying to find out other ways on how to lower whole food costs while not taxing junk food and only punishing the poor. But one point I want to make is that america has an extremely agressive, selfish and greedy attitude… and apparently when it comes to food not just money…

]]> By: Jkathttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11910 Jkat Fri, 21 May 2010 01:23:09 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11910 (*were) going to be taxed (*were) going to be taxed

]]> By: Jkathttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11909 Jkat Fri, 21 May 2010 01:21:49 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11909 why arent u talking about sweets when the article is... nobody said hot dogs and hamburger meat was going to be taxed... why arent u talking about sweets when the article is… nobody said hot dogs and hamburger meat was going to be taxed…

]]> By: iiohttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11602 iio Mon, 03 May 2010 20:44:41 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11602 Great point and that's why I suggest that we no longer use the word TAX for this, it's more a of FINE. Taxes don't change behavior, but fines do, or at least they are meant to which is why I keep getting fined for speeding. =) Great point and that’s why I suggest that we no longer use the word TAX for this, it’s more a of FINE. Taxes don’t change behavior, but fines do, or at least they are meant to which is why I keep getting fined for speeding. =)

]]> By: Yanahttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11600 Yana Mon, 03 May 2010 20:33:45 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11600 Higher taxes aren't supposed to change behavior. They're supposed to take more money from us. In addition, they do not decrease the burden on "the rest of us" because 1) Government cannot set priorities appropriately or be a good steward of the funds collected, and 2) The burden does not come from the people being taxed; it comes from those taking our money via taxation and foolishly dispensing it, as well as those who played the game taking educational loans and now charge prices that are 10 times what they ought to be for services rendered - so that they can pay off a large debt. For the example of smoking, it would make sense to make it illegal if government doesn't want people doing it. It would be a great thing to do that, because so many jobs in the tobacco industry would be lost, stocks for Altria etc would go down (even though they sell other products), crime rates would rise resulting from certain smokers no longer being "medicated", and we could watch people die from cancer, heart disease etc who lived lives of abstinence and jogging. But don't expect that the taxation and the encouragement of social disapproval of smokers to be a step toward making tobacco/smoking illegal, because that is not what it's about. The money can't be collected from dead people, either, so figure that one out. Higher taxes aren’t supposed to change behavior. They’re supposed to take more money from us. In addition, they do not decrease the burden on “the rest of us” because 1) Government cannot set priorities appropriately or be a good steward of the funds collected, and 2) The burden does not come from the people being taxed; it comes from those taking our money via taxation and foolishly dispensing it, as well as those who played the game taking educational loans and now charge prices that are 10 times what they ought to be for services rendered – so that they can pay off a large debt.

For the example of smoking, it would make sense to make it illegal if government doesn’t want people doing it. It would be a great thing to do that, because so many jobs in the tobacco industry would be lost, stocks for Altria etc would go down (even though they sell other products), crime rates would rise resulting from certain smokers no longer being “medicated”, and we could watch people die from cancer, heart disease etc who lived lives of abstinence and jogging. But don’t expect that the taxation and the encouragement of social disapproval of smokers to be a step toward making tobacco/smoking illegal, because that is not what it’s about. The money can’t be collected from dead people, either, so figure that one out.

]]> By: iiohttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11597 iio Mon, 03 May 2010 19:08:26 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11597 BTW, higher taxes do not stop people from doing those things that we don't like, the smoking example still applies, yes smoking has decreased but it has not been eradicated. McDonald's advertises on TV, cigarette companies can not and yet there are millions of smokers. The tax has done nothing to stop people from smoking only a personal decision can do that. BTW, higher taxes do not stop people from doing those things that we don’t like, the smoking example still applies, yes smoking has decreased but it has not been eradicated. McDonald’s advertises on TV, cigarette companies can not and yet there are millions of smokers. The tax has done nothing to stop people from smoking only a personal decision can do that.

]]> By: iiohttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11596 iio Mon, 03 May 2010 18:59:06 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11596 I agree with your reply but where is the line? Is the line when it hits the things that YOU enjoy? I understand the argument and I understand the reasoning for the taxation but the real question is when have we gone too far? That question must be answered before we reach that line. I agree with your reply but where is the line? Is the line when it hits the things that YOU enjoy? I understand the argument and I understand the reasoning for the taxation but the real question is when have we gone too far? That question must be answered before we reach that line.

]]> By: Michael Shttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11595 Michael S Mon, 03 May 2010 18:51:12 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11595 I love slippery slope arguments. "If we allow the government to levy taxes on people who consume unhealthy things, soon they'll be taxing you for spitting on the sidewalk!" The government isn't taxing (or considering taxing) something BECAUSE it's addicting, they're doing so because it decreases the burden on the rest of the taxpayers and draws more from the selfish people who hike up insurance premiums, medical fees, and taxes by killing themselves with unhealthy products. By the way, we absolutely should increase DMV fees for people with DUI's. be careful with your replies, soon the government will be taxing paranoia. I love slippery slope arguments. “If we allow the government to levy taxes on people who consume unhealthy things, soon they’ll be taxing you for spitting on the sidewalk!” The government isn’t taxing (or considering taxing) something BECAUSE it’s addicting, they’re doing so because it decreases the burden on the rest of the taxpayers and draws more from the selfish people who hike up insurance premiums, medical fees, and taxes by killing themselves with unhealthy products. By the way, we absolutely should increase DMV fees for people with DUI’s. be careful with your replies, soon the government will be taxing paranoia.

]]> By: Yanahttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11594 Yana Mon, 03 May 2010 18:35:48 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11594 You are exactly right, iio, and said it well. When you discriminate and practice extortion on one group of people (such as smokers), you are opening the door and encouraging exploitation of everyone. It isn't safe to think either "That doesn't apply to me", or "It's fine, because it didn't come out of MY wallet" - because your wallet is next. You are exactly right, iio, and said it well. When you discriminate and practice extortion on one group of people (such as smokers), you are opening the door and encouraging exploitation of everyone. It isn’t safe to think either “That doesn’t apply to me”, or “It’s fine, because it didn’t come out of MY wallet” – because your wallet is next.

]]> By: iiohttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11593 iio Mon, 03 May 2010 18:28:38 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11593 First off, this is not a prohibition. No one is saying you can't buy a "Pepsi" though I don't know why anyone would when there are great tasting Cokes in the ice chest. Anyone can purchase the foods they want IF they can afford both the fat that comes with the food and the new tax. The incentive idea is a great idea, lower my insurance premiums if I'm doing the right things and keep them high if I choose to gain weight, smoke, etc. Speaking of smoking, how many people that now are against the fat tax actually voted for the cigarette tax? What people don't see is that once you vote for one it opens the door for other things. When they started raising the taxes on cigarettes I knew that a fat tax was just a matter of time,, it was the next logical step. More people die from obesity than from smoking but yet smoking is taxed at a ridiculous rate here in California. We are being bombarded by commercials that pretend to show you the "TRUTH". Where are the commercials that show you the "TRUTH" about fast food? How about a commercial that tells you the truth about cigarettes vs fast food? I'm not saying that smoking is a good idea or that anyone should start smoking, but what I do know is that we tax what we don't like but eventually YOU will be doing something I don't like. Should I vote to fine you because this tax is basically a fine for doing those things that you enjoy? Think about this, medical research shows that nicotine is an addiction, smoking is the only addiction that is taxed this way. What are you addicted to? If we start taxing based on those things when will we start taxing people for every mile driven? Car crashes kill millions of people too! If I someone has a DUI on their record or speeding tickets will the DMV fees for a drivers license and car registration fees increase? That's next my friends, if we keep this up we will pay huge taxes on those things that we enjoy as long as there is a possibility of injury or death. Responsible voting is the only way. This nation is great because it listens to it's people, it's time to speak up and stop this ridiculous push to make this strong country into a soft one because we are too afraid of everything. We are losing control by our own hand. First off, this is not a prohibition. No one is saying you can’t buy a “Pepsi” though I don’t know why anyone would when there are great tasting Cokes in the ice chest. Anyone can purchase the foods they want IF they can afford both the fat that comes with the food and the new tax.

The incentive idea is a great idea, lower my insurance premiums if I’m doing the right things and keep them high if I choose to gain weight, smoke, etc.

Speaking of smoking, how many people that now are against the fat tax actually voted for the cigarette tax? What people don’t see is that once you vote for one it opens the door for other things. When they started raising the taxes on cigarettes I knew that a fat tax was just a matter of time,, it was the next logical step. More people die from obesity than from smoking but yet smoking is taxed at a ridiculous rate here in California. We are being bombarded by commercials that pretend to show you the “TRUTH”. Where are the commercials that show you the “TRUTH” about fast food? How about a commercial that tells you the truth about cigarettes vs fast food?

I’m not saying that smoking is a good idea or that anyone should start smoking, but what I do know is that we tax what we don’t like but eventually YOU will be doing something I don’t like. Should I vote to fine you because this tax is basically a fine for doing those things that you enjoy?

Think about this, medical research shows that nicotine is an addiction, smoking is the only addiction that is taxed this way. What are you addicted to?

If we start taxing based on those things when will we start taxing people for every mile driven? Car crashes kill millions of people too! If I someone has a DUI on their record or speeding tickets will the DMV fees for a drivers license and car registration fees increase? That’s next my friends, if we keep this up we will pay huge taxes on those things that we enjoy as long as there is a possibility of injury or death.

Responsible voting is the only way. This nation is great because it listens to it’s people, it’s time to speak up and stop this ridiculous push to make this strong country into a soft one because we are too afraid of everything. We are losing control by our own hand.

]]> By: Mark Riddixhttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11263 Mark Riddix Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:19:52 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11263 You have a very interesting viewpoint on this issue. You have a very interesting viewpoint on this issue.

]]> By: janethttp://www.moneycrashers.com/how-do-you-feel-about-a-fat-tax/#comment-11086 janet Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:29:46 +0000 http://www.moneycrashers.com/?p=2220#comment-11086 The rationale of this type of taxation seems to be that individuals should bear the costs their consumption choices force on society. Once this type of taxation is viewed as acceptable, it seems to be a slippery slope. If this is applied equitably to all groups, think where it could lead. If you choose to have children and I do not, why should I pay property taxes to support the public schools?? There's a shot, a pill, a patch, an abortion or just keep it zipped. Children are a totally avoidable consumption choice where society is forced to shoulder much of the cost. The same is true of uneducated workers. Why should society pay for the fact they did not prepare themselves for the job market? Do we really want to go there? The rationale of this type of taxation seems to be that individuals should bear the costs their consumption choices force on society. Once this type of taxation is viewed as acceptable, it seems to be a slippery slope. If this is applied equitably to all groups, think where it could lead. If you choose to have children and I do not, why should I pay property taxes to support the public schools?? There’s a shot, a pill, a patch, an abortion or just keep it zipped. Children are a totally avoidable consumption choice where society is forced to shoulder much of the cost. The same is true of uneducated workers. Why should society pay for the fact they did not prepare themselves for the job market? Do we really want to go there?

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