There's been a hue and cry lately over too much government intervention in our private Lives. Normally I shrug this off as just more conservative rantings. But, this time dangit, they're going too far!
If you live in New York State, by now you've been bombarded by TV and radio commercials encouraging the NYS legislature to pass a surcharge on soft drinks. The ads proclaim that adding a few pennies to the total price of sodas will stop kids from buying them. Two paid hacks that no one ever heard of claim that this will help stem the tide of childhood obesity and tendancy toward diabetes. What a crock! You've got to be kidding!
First of all, the kids are just going to ask their parents for a dollar to cover the increase or they're going to do without something else to buy soda. Perhaps instead of buying one of the national/international brands, they'll buy a cheaper one. Even if that one goes up by a few pennies too, it'll still be within their price range.
Secondly, it's about parents encouraging their children to eat healthy. It's about parenting period. The government can encourage healthy eating habits, as our First Lady Mrs. Obama is doing, but legislating it this way leaves a bitter taste in one's mouth.
Thirdly, if they add a few cents onto the price of soda, are they simultaneously decreasing the price of healthy beverages, like juice, milk or water correspondingly?? No, they are not.
Don't be fooled people. This is a stupid idea and one which only fattens the coffers in Albany. They are desperate for new ways to raise money to offset the deficit. But just tell the truth about it. Don't make it seem as though it's about the children and their health, when it clearly is about money.
Finally, what about me? I like a soda once in a while. Why am I being punished? Maybe we should just be 'carded' to make sure we are not children trying to sneak a soda. Then we can whip out our state-issued soda card and get to pay the discounted 'adult' price.
Really Albany...you should just allow this to fizzle out and find the loopholes in the budget where some real money is slipping through your fingers. Taxing children for drinking soda is a very lame idea.
Author: "Native Intelligence"
www.nativeintelligencethebook.com
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- Lorna Rainey
- Author: "Native Intelligence". Creator/Exec. Producer: web series www.culinaryhightv.com Shopping three TV shows, one screenplay and a documentary film
3 comments:
They really must be getting desperate up there! Soon there will be a tax on the air you breathe. But seriously, the legislature needs a better incentive to work with. All they have is the ability to tax, and when the only tool you have is a hammer, the whole world looks like a nail. Let's give them better incentives. For example, any year the budget isn't balanced, legislative salaries get cut 10%. Or perhaps, any increase in taxation should be followed by a mandatory special election to re-elect the entire legislature. Give the voters a chance to weigh in. Think about it... PS - I will be smuggling in cheap soda across state lines if this passes. At last, a job opportunity!
LOL...This is so true Lorna. Where they should be finding the dollars to cut they just don't. All the expenditures for offices, promotions and contract work are all over inflated.
I do agree with Black Buffalo's comment to giving legislators incentive to balance the budget in a timely fashion. When they don't they the responsible parties to passing a budget should take a cut in salary and even not get paid if they take over 30 pass the due date to balance it. Why should the tax payer be punished for what they are responsible to maintain?
Getting healthy is everyone's personal responsibility. But, all agencies that work with children and/or young adults should be regulated to only make accessible healthy choices. If the junk food is not available, children will make a better choice.
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