Soda Tax Weighed to Pay for Health Care

[thundley4]

Senate leaders are considering new federal taxes on soda and other sugary drinks to help pay for an overhaul of the nation's health-care system.

The taxes would pay for only a fraction of the cost to expand health-insurance coverage to all Americans and would face strong opposition from the beverage industry. They also could spark a backlash from consumers who would have to pay several cents more for a soft drink.

On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee is set to hear proposals from about a dozen experts about how to pay for the comprehensive health-care overhaul that President Barack Obama wants to enact this year. Early estimates put the cost of the plan at around $1.2 trillion. The administration has so far only earmarked funds for about half of that amount.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based watchdog group that pressures food companies to make healthier products, plans to propose a federal excise tax on soda, certain fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and ready-to-drink teas. It would not include most diet beverages. Excise taxes are levied on goods and manufacturers typically pass them on to consumers.

Senior staff members for some Democratic senators at the center of the effort to craft health-care legislation are weighing the idea behind closed doors, Senate aides said.

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Why stop at the unhealthy sugar filled soft drinks?  Let's put an excise tax on all junk foods and anything else that is unhealthy. Why put put a federal tax on anything that comes in plastic/glass bottle. 

We should be very worried about a completely liberal government. Taxing and spending seem to be all that they know how to do.

[Chris_]

Oh, what a great idea.  Let's drive a few more mega-corporations out of business.  Morons.

[seemomgonuts]

Geez liberals are dumb. Hiking taxes on cigarettes to fund healthcare (smoke! It's for the children!) resulted in fewer people smoking. Hiking taxes on soda will result in fewer people drinking it. It was mentioned during the election that Obama would also raise taxes on coffee. The more they tax things that (frankly) we can live without, the more things they will look to tax. At this point they should just take our entire paychecks and decide how much we need of it and they keep the rest. We can enjoy our victory gin and chocolate rations. 

[Chris]

And an increase in the price of gas stopped people from driving (at least by 2%).  Liberals didn't know who to blame.  Gas prices going down under George Bush?  Conspiracy!  Gas prices going up under George Bush?  Conspiracy!

[Mike220]

I was wondering what the next "sin tax" would be. Now we know.

[Chris]

I rarely drink soda... maybe once a week, but this will put a crimp in your "free" refills next time you go out to eat.  Prices will go up, and not just for soda.

[Chris]

Geez liberals are dumb. Hiking taxes on cigarettes to fund healthcare (smoke! It's for the children!) resulted in fewer people smoking. Hiking taxes on soda will result in fewer people drinking it. It was mentioned during the election that Obama would also raise taxes on coffee. The more they tax things that (frankly) we can live without, the more things they will look to tax. At this point they should just take our entire paychecks and decide how much we need of it and they keep the rest. We can enjoy our victory gin and chocolate rations. 

"We pretend to work, and the state pretends to pay us.  At least they give us vodka."
-- anonymous Russian worker

[thundley4]

We all knew that it was a big lie when 0Bama said that 95% of Americans would see no tax increases.  When he and congress are done trying to fund their socialist programs, 100% of of us will see higher taxes in our daily lives.

I wonder if Kool-Aid will be exempt from any new taxes.

[Chris_]

DUmmies thought Uncle Eg0 would spread the wealth around.  Not gonna happen.  There won't be any wealth to spread.

[NHSparky]

We all knew that it was a big lie when 0Bama said that 95% of Americans would see no tax increases.  When he and congress are done trying to fund their socialist programs, 100% of of us will see higher taxes in our daily lives.

I wonder if Kool-Aid will be exempt from any new taxes.

No, because sugar is bad for you, dontcha know.

[Lacarnut]

We all knew that it was a big lie when 0Bama said that 95% of Americans would see no tax increases.  When he and congress are done trying to fund their socialist programs, 100% of of us will see higher taxes in our daily lives.

I wonder if Kool-Aid will be exempt from any new taxes.

No, but like a good tax and spend Democrap, diet drinks will be exempt. Gotta throw a few crumbs out into the mix so the idiots that voted for him will have something gravel about.

[Hawkgirl]

Glen Beck was joking about this...what will they tax next? air? the amount of co2 we exhale?? 

Also, last night, he said GE is partnering with the Obama administration in software development of healthcare records...yes GE..aka NBC....no contract bidding...it was GIVEN to GE.  Why isn't the Media covering this???

[Thor]

No, because sugar is bad for you, dontcha know.

With few exceptions, most soda made here in the USA contains little actual sugar, but instead contains high fructose corn syrup. HFCS is far worse for the human diet than real sugar.

[The Village Idiot]

With few exceptions, most soda made here in the USA contains little actual sugar, but instead contains high fructose corn syrup. HFCS is far worse for the human diet than real sugar.

because the price of US sugar is kept artificially high by the federal government to benefit a few sugar growers in Louisiana or something

[Celtic Rose]

They are all crazy  What will they decide to tax next when they realize that soda sales have gone down, and they aren't getting the revenue they expected?

[Sam Adams]

This new tax will not stop me. I will build a still and make my own soda. Maybe I will even sell some to my friends.
 

[thundley4]

They are all crazy  What will they decide to tax next when they realize that soda sales have gone down, and they aren't getting the revenue they expected?

There has been some talk of implementing a national sales tax. 

[Celtic Rose]

There has been some talk of implementing a national sales tax. 

I'll go for it, if they get rid of the income tax in exchange.  Think they'll go for it? 

[Chris]

Don't look now, but Congress wants to raise the tax on beer.

Al Bundy, where art thou?

[thundley4]

I'll go for it, if they get rid of the income tax in exchange.  Think they'll go for it? 

Nope, in fact this time they are talking about adding the national sales tax on top of the income tax. 10% is what some are tossing about.

[Sam Adams]

A sales tax would hurt poor people disproportionately. So would another "sin tax" like one on soda. Either would violate Obama's promise to raise taxes only on those making less than $250,000 per year.   

[Lacarnut]

A sales tax would hurt poor people disproportionately. So would another "sin tax" like one on soda. Either would violate Obama's promise to raise taxes only on those making less than $250,000 per year.   

Anyone that believed that the Magic Negro was only going to raise taxes on the rich belongs in an insane asylum.

VAT is being floated where the tax would be included into the price of every tangible product. That way the DC critters could hide the tax in the price opposed to a federal sales tax where you could see the extra cost. Tourists from other countries can buy goods cheaper here in many cases. Also, some states encourage foreigners to buy in the US by refunding the sales tax. I guess that's not a consideration to these morons in DC.

[Celtic Rose]

Nope, in fact this time they are talking about adding the national sales tax on top of the income tax. 10% is what some are tossing about.

That would mean that in California, our sales tax would be between 19.25% and 19.75%  Guess, who won't be doing much discretionary spending if that were to happen.   

[rich_t]

It appears that Obama and each and every asshat that supports him won't be happy until they turn the US into the next 3rd world shithole.

[thundley4]

It appears that Obama and each and every asshat that supports him won't be happy until they turn the US into the next 3rd world shithole.

Bingo !!!