A potential health care overhaul has the "bean" counters' gears spinning, as quickly as a seven year old under the influence of a couple of root beers.
The latest proposal, recently passed a congressional committee, has a price tag of about $829 billion. The plan will be paid for by reductions in spending (must be that scalpel Obama talked about) and TAXES! Whether the out of pocket expense for the typical American household nets out to zero is irrelevant for this particular post. Hopefully it does, hopefully this is a case of cutting inefficient spending and redirecting it towards areas that will be more productive for Americans.
Regardless of whether health care is reformed or not the idea to tax soda or any "sugary" drinks seems rational? Is it that much different than taxing tobacco or alcohol? Obviously health problems vary between products but the principal is the same. Taxing those products has not led to their downfall. Consumers still buy the products, maybe business has dipped a bit but profit margins are still more than respectable.
An objective decision cannot be made until you know how the funds will be used. Skepticism about taxes is overwhelming and until there is a formal proposal that outlines where the funds would be directed, effectiveness is too speculative.
Where would it stop? Would this open up the flood gates for a series of frivolous tax programs? A penny here and a penny there adds up and before you know it, you are being taxed on all junk food.
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