The Public Policy
Gas Guzzlers
Overweight Americans are using too much fuel, prompting calls for government to grow with our waistlines.
(Page 2 of 2)
Arguing that it's time we "get away from these arguments about personal responsibility," Yale University's Kelly Brownell recommends a 7 percent to 10 percent "Twinkie tax," a fat tax on calorie-dense foods.
With even less red tape, instead of the government measuring the sugar and nutrient content of every cheeseburger and every type of nacho dip, the IRS could just weigh taxpayers and charge them by the pound.
Charge a 300-pounder making $50,000 twice as much as a 150-pounder with the same income and the fatso will have plenty of incentive to shed some pounds and expand America's fuel efficiency.
About the Author
Ralph R. Reiland is the B. Kenneth Simon professor of free enterprise and an associate professor of economics at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh.
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vouchercodes| 12.12.10 @ 11:56PM
What I concered about is the weather.