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The Spectacle Blog
In an interview with Men’s Health published Monday, President Obama suggested that a tax on such items as soda and sugary drinks should be put on the table, saying “I actually think it’s an idea that we should be exploring.”
Obama then acknowledged the political reality of enacting such taxes while providing a glimpse of where he personally stands on the issue: “Look, people’s attitude is that they don’t necessarily want Big Brother telling them what to eat or drink, and I understand that. It is true, though, that if you wanted to make a big impact on people’s health in this country, reducing things like soda consumption would be helpful.”
Putting aside the fact a soda tax would violate Obama’s central campaign promise not to raise “any form” of taxes on families making less than $250,000 a year, his statements indicate his support for use of the tax code as a tool to reward and punish certain behaviors as he sees fit.
This incident also reminds us of Obama’s habit of giving a verbal head-fake to Americans’ innate limited-government sentiments while simultaneously pushing to expand the role of government.
Exhibit 1: On February 24, in his first address to a joint session of Congress, Obama claimed he doesn’t believe in “bigger government”: “As soon as I took office, I asked this Congress to send me a recovery plan by President’s Day that would put people back to work and put money in their pockets, not because I believe in bigger government — I don’t — not because I’m not mindful of the massive debt we’ve inherited — I am.”
Two days later, Obama released his budget, which not only doubles the debt in the next ten years but calls for a government-run “cap and trade” energy regime.
Exhibit 2: On March 30, in a speech on the state of the auto industry, Obama said: “Let me be clear: the United States government has no interest or intention of running GM.”
But just the day before, Obama fired GM CEO Rick Wagoner.
Exhibit 3: On June 16, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Obama said: “I think the irony … is that I actually would like to see a relatively light touch when it comes to the government.”
But just the day before, in a speech to the American Medical Association, Obama called for a government-run “public option” as a pillar of healthcare reform.
View all comments (54) | Leave a comment
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Pingback| 9.8.09 @ 10:13PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Floats Soda Tax « NObama Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.8.09 @ 10:29PM
Update: Alert to the Country: They are coming for our soda- CALL CONGRESS NOW, SAY NO links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
DaveinPhoenix| 9.9.09 @ 12:18AM
Eff Obama and his soda tax. Shove it Obama. And shove the $3800 fine you think you will impose on me for not having health care coverage. You come and just try to collect one effing dime from me. I dare you. Pussies.
Bugler| 9.9.09 @ 8:56AM
Soda tax? Why not just jack up sugar prices with a domestic sugar cartel protected by ridiculously high tariffs against importers?
Oh, wait.
Never mind.
Tim| 9.9.09 @ 9:48AM
Soda Tax! End carbonated emissions and save the planet! The fat kid's a Republican anyways. Tax his happy meal too!
Jean| 9.9.09 @ 10:34AM
Soda and Sugary Drink Tax...an idea we should be exploring...if we want to make a "big impact" on the public's health...well then maybe we should explore a tax on Sweet & Salty Snacks too...they are surely unhealthy for public consumption! Or, what about all the fast food we consume...maybe we should RAISE the taxes on it...or all the Alcohol we consume, and Tobacco we inhale...maybe we should RAISE taxes on these items too. HELL no to a Soda or Sugary Drink Tax!!!
Joanie| 9.9.09 @ 1:18PM
Tim, a lot of inner city kids eat Happy Meals, too: Not all fat kids are Repubs.
bridgette| 9.9.09 @ 4:29PM
Jean the taxes on alcohol and tobacco are already higher than normal taxes. And what would be wrong with raising the tax on things that make Americans lazy, fat and stupid? Diet sodas and aspartame are worse than the sugary drinks. I cannot believe anyone would defend soda when they are so busy complaining about health care and its cost.
I like my wine, Champagne and tequila like the rest of us. But I certainly do no need it to survive. Food even fast food is a necessity unlike alcohol , tobacco and soda. The poor often eat it because it is all they can afford when they are on the run.
Even dental costs are affected by the consumption of soda. I would only have a problem if they levied a higher tax on seltzer as it is great to make your own real ginger beer[ale] with it. Get a low glycemic sweetener like agave add fresh ginger and a splash of white grape juice , apple or lemon to the seltzer and viola. Low cal, healthful, delicious, and medicinal. Maybe the problem is you are all jealous that you never had the fortitude or upbringing to love,respect educate and honor yourself body mind and spirit. I do not agree with every liberal agenda nor every conservative one. However the pettiness of the crap you people talk about seems like you all have a chip on your shoulder.
Pingback| 9.9.09 @ 4:57PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : Obama Floats Soda Tax | kozmom news links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Joanie| 9.9.09 @ 5:07PM
Or maybe we have been brought up to believe that government has no right to control everything we do!
Not all of us are brain dead robots who want to bend over and grab our ankles, Bridgette.
Bob Belvedere | 9.9.09 @ 8:51PM
Quoted from and linked to at:
http://www.thecampofthesaints......2520487366
Bugler| 9.10.09 @ 9:40AM
"I would only have a problem if they levied a higher tax on seltzer as it is great to make your own real ginger beer[ale] with it. "
I've long advocated a seltzer tax as the only sure-fire way to retire the national debt. How selfish of you to oppose, on narrow personal grounds, legislation that so clearly serves the public interest.
Brad| 9.11.09 @ 10:30AM
Is a tax of a few cents really going to cut consumption? No, of course not. The amount they would have to tax something that's consumed because it's liked (instead of needed) to cut consumption is ridiculous. A soda tax would be a disingenuous money grab. Pres. Obama may actually care about the nation's health, but this tax isn't going to affect health at all. They're (Congress and the Obama administration) only looking for a magic wand to shrink the debt they're creating.
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:24AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:24AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:24AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:24AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:24AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:25AM
Political News Highlights and Controversy» Obama: Hey, Maybe We Should Tax Soda To Pa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 9.19.09 @ 12:34AM
ObamaCare, higher premiums, tax hikes, what's not to like? - Blogs - NewsSpotz links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Todd| 9.24.09 @ 1:19PM
A well-written though unfortunately biased article on the topic.
I think it's a shame that something obviously meant to improve the health of the citizens of this country and put money back into their pockets is met with such opposition by those very people.
That's right; this would put money back into our pockets.
You see, the way healthcare works is that everyone pays in. Then, when one of us gets diabetes or heart disease, the money is taken from that pool. Now, if people start getting fatter and unhealthier, costs go up and the insurer has to increase rates. So, your fat ass that's more concerned about Big Brother than your own well-being is costing the whole country money. At least with this tax, we get something back from you.
Yeah, taxes (despite how they're villified) are for the good of the people.
These issues would make a whole lot more sense to people if they would actually sit down and think about them instead of hearing about them in a sitcom (brought to you by Pepsi or Coke) and going along with the opinion of whatever popular actor/comedian you first hear from.
Mark| 12.13.09 @ 10:23PM
Thanks for your article,I think it's a shame that something obviously meant to improve the health of the citizens of this country and put money back into their pockets is met with such opposition by those very people.
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CNA Classes | 4.5.10 @ 6:37PM
Taxes taxes taxes! When is it ever going to end? I don't think is ever will!
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