Say No to Soda Tax

A soda tax was recently passed in San Francisco as an attempt to promote healthy living. Although, it sounds good in theory, we are opposed to such an act for several reasons. First, it is a pilot program for liberals who want a national tax on soda and other sugary drinks. This is just the beginning of a long stream of similar taxation on various other aspects of our private life. The Federal Government should not have the power to dictate what we eat and drink. If it's going to be discussed then keep it as a state issue, please, right there in California.

Secondly, this tax is going to hurt poor people the most; what's new? Who drinks and eats the most unhealthy food and foodstuffs? The poor. Why is this? It is because of a lack of education, a lack of funds, and a lack of convenience and availability. How many Whole Foods set up stores in lower-income areas? It's tougher for most families who are looking for convenience and low prices to place value on buying organic, local, or more nutritional food items. Those items tend to cost more, are harder to find, and not everyone understands the disparity between real food and food products. When saving money and filling stomachs is the bottom line it's a lot easier to purchase that $0.99 two liter of coke over the $5 bottle of organic 100% fruit juice. Put a tax on that soda and the price will increase, but because it's still cheaper than some of the healthier beverage choices, the poor will continue to buy it but now at higher prices. It's very similar to the cigarette tax. Who smokes the most cigarettes? The poor. I thought the democratic party was for the "working and poor classes." If that were true don't you think they would make that $5 pack of cigarettes cheaper?

Back to the soda tax. The final and most important point is that once you start a precedent of taxing certain items in the name of health, you start a troubling trend. From there on, where does the government stop? Cup cakes? Ice cream? Donuts? Ice tea? If the government believes they can dictate what you can and cannot eat, then they gain more control over your life. It's seems quite reminiscent of the issues surrounding nationalized health care. In a nationalized health care system, the government can dictate what health care services can be provided. You smoke?.....no services for you. You don't work out?.....no services for you. You eat red meat?.....no services for you. A soda tax is just a starting point for most liberals who want more control over everybody else. They believe they can garner such control in the name of healthy eating.

I say it would be better if the San Francisco City school district taught about nutrition in health class at school. Served fresh, local produce, meat, and dairy to the children. Developed school gardens, eliminated all soda from vending machines. Showed them first hand the importance of healthy eating. Those sound like good ideas, ideas that can help a community and a population make better choices and over time, become all around wiser and healthier. Through education, people learn and understand. You don't have to hurt the poor and gain more control in the name of health. If a person is fat, that's their prerogative. That's their decision. Not the government.

No to the soda tax.