More cash for cupcakes

Calls to tax junk food gain ground
This fatty tax disgusts me more than the idea of eating an entire wedding cake in one sitting. It seems as though policy makers are trying to bullshit the general population of retards into thinking these taxes will essentially "save people from themselves". If you've ever taken one economics class or have any common sense, it's clear that many of their claims are nothing but nonsense.

Many are comparing this potential tax on junk food to the tax imposed on tobacco products. (I wonder if they will also come out with fire safe cinnamon buns?) In fact, tobacco and Twinkies are actually not similar at all. Truthfully, tobacco has an inelastic quality to it, meaning its consumers are more likely to ignore a tax hike because THEY ARE ADDICTED LIKE MAD to what they are buying. As a brand-loyal smoker, I bought nothing outside of Marlboros for five years straight, even though buying other brands could have saved me more than a dollar per pack. As a brand-loyal Coke drinker, I won't hesitate to sacrifice my preference if Pepsi is on sale, and I'll sometimes even buy store-brand even though it tastes like crud. So in a sense, the gov'ment is on the right track if they REALLY, TRUTHFULLY want America to stop eating candy for dinner. But think about it, the point of any tax is to get the government some extra money. If nobody is buying junk food any more, the tax will ultimately be a failure. Is it evil to think that "they" assume Americans are so addicted to junky crap that they will make all kinds of $$$$$ from an unbreakable, bad habit? (Like the tobacco tax?!)

The article also claims that "studies" show people will be likely to switch from Coke to milk if the price of coke is increased 15 cents. Guess what, it doesn't work that way. Milk is not a realistic substitute for Coke. Think about your fountain beverage choices (7Up, Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Coke Zero, maybe even some crappy lemonade)...THESE are likely Coke substitutes.


No matter what their reasoning or true intentions, public health experts and law makers in support of these taxes need to realize that the consequences are going to stink more than a bunch of fat asses. By assuming people no longer have any semblance of will power, they're taking away any possibility that people will start to make healthier decisions for themselves. True changes are hardly ever made by force from others, and more taxes usually just cause more anger towards the government and unhappy citizens.