"An Anti-Tax Argument That's Hard to Swallow

Recently, there has been much talk in the government about putting a new tax on sugary drinks. Today, the government does not directly tell you what you can and can’t eat or drink, but they do indirectly. This article argues that the government should not have any say in what you can eat or drink. This new tax on sugary drinks is made to fight obesity, yet many people feel as if it is a bad idea. This article even states that sugary drinks are not the only thing that creates obesity and it is not right to only single that one specific thing out. Also, there is a fine line between urging people to do things, and telling them to do things which is something this article touches on. People can be urged not to drink sugary drinks but completely dictating everything they do is unfair and unjust. Although the government does not directly tell us what to eat or drink this article also argues another point and says that the government does have some say in what we eat and drink. There are governmental decisions when designing menus for places such as schools, and military mess halls. Although there are many conflicting opinions represented throughout this article the controversy over whether taxing sugary drinks would help to stop obesity, or if it’s just an excuse for the government to intervene in the lives of Americans more.


This article really relates to our class because as we wrap up our study of the American Revolution this tax is a lot like the taxes of the colonists. King George III taxed the colonies on tea, which was a very important part of their lives. This directly relates to the government’s desire to tax sugary drinks. The way the government wants to intervene with our lives, is just like the way King George intervened with the lives of the colonists.


Do you think that this tax will help to stop obesity, and do you think it is fair to tax Americans in this way?


http://ethicist.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/an-anti-tax-argument-thats-hard-to-swallow/?scp=1&sq=the%20anti%20tax%20argument%20thats%20hard%20to%20swallow&st=cse