Fat Tax: For It or Against It?

[Donut]

Originally posted by Sir Taliesin: As far as the tax in other countries, you guys are just talking income tax. what about sales tax, and property tax, and VAT tax and so forth and so on. Don't you have to pay a tax to drive in the city of London? Will a tax is a tax is a tax. Donut and Epona, have you ever considered how much the average citizen pays when you add all that in? In the US, it takes a person almost a half a year to earn the money to pay all the taxes we pay.

I agree that there are other forms of tax, but it's nowhere near 80% in total.
We have no sales tax, except for VAT and that's not payable on food.

BTW - you pay £5 to drive in the City of London, not the city of London!

There is a huge difference.

[philip]

Originally posted by Dreamer128: I'm no specialist, but I think The Netherlands has a tax of 19% on all luxurious goods. Including games, cars, etc. Perhaps another Dutch member could verify this?

Is it the BTW (dutch)that is 19% though I always thought that was for everything also for supermarkets, where not everything is luxurious, I might have had that in my economics class last year but forgot it cause I don't have it anymore. I believe that's the same as VAT (that stands for value added tax isn't it?)

edit: I'm against fat tax. If I decide to eat fat that's my problem/choice isn't it? Why would the government be controlling that. Fat food doesn't always make you fat it's just sort of the lifestyle with only eating junk food and watching TV all day (just some examples) that makes you fat, and if you decide to live like that it's your choice. I really like junkfood, and when I'm with friends I often eat it but I'm not fat and I sport like 4-5 times a week, cycle to school and have PE, why would I be paying extra money for something I'd like to eat.

[ 06-20-2003, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: philip ]

[Micah Foehammer]

"You don't go to the grocery much do you. So called health food and diet foods and foods that are grown organicly and no hormone added meat and non-radiated meat... etc... etc... ad nauseum cost about 20% more at the store than the regular high sugar/fat stuff does."

Gee, Sir T, you DO know it IS possible to eat healthy WITHOUT resorting to specially grown foods, right????

I'm confused. What high sugar / fat content foods are you referring too???? Fresh foods don't in general have high sugar or fat content when compared to pre-packaged foods and are generally cheaper than junk food or specially grown foods/meats.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Donut: BTW - you pay £5 to drive in the City of London, not the city of London! There is a huge difference.

And I'd say it's almost fair enough too. Some of the traffic in the inner City is downright atrocious [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Dreamer128]

Originally posted by philip: quote: Originally posted by Dreamer128: I'm no specialist, but I think The Netherlands has a tax of 19% on all luxurious goods. Including games, cars, etc. Perhaps another Dutch member could verify this?

Is it the BTW (dutch)that is 19% though I always thought that was for everything also for supermarkets, where not everything is luxurious, I might have had that in my economics class last year but forgot it cause I don't have it anymore. I believe that's the same as VAT (that stands for value added tax isn't it?)

edit: I'm against fat tax. If I decide to eat fat that's my problem/choice isn't it? Why would the government be controlling that. Fat food doesn't always make you fat it's just sort of the lifestyle with only eating junk food and watching TV all day (just some examples) that makes you fat, and if you decide to live like that it's your choice. I really like junkfood, and when I'm with friends I often eat it but I'm not fat and I sport like 4-5 times a week, cycle to school and have PE, why would I be paying extra money for something I'd like to eat. [/QUOTE]Actually, you have certain 'primary' goods that are taxed.. 6%? Well, less then half of the taxes on the more luxurious goods(note; luxerious means just about every consumer good). Regarding this 'fat tax', our government uses the 'welzijnsbeginsel', meaning they can place extra taxes on unhealthy stuff such as sigarettes.

[ 06-20-2003, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

[Sir Taliesin]

Originally posted by Micah Foehammer: I'm confused. What high sugar / fat content foods are you referring too???? Fresh foods don't in general have high sugar or fat content when compared to pre-packaged foods and are generally cheaper than junk food or specially grown foods/meats.

I don't think most people buy and eat fresh foods anymore in the USA. Go to Krogers sometime and look at the size of the fresh produce area. In Knoxville, it's usually a fairly small department when compared to the vast aisles of canned and frozen foods. The beer aisle is bigger than the fresh produce section (not that it's a bad thing mind you )! Fresh foods are better for you, but most people probably feel that they take too much time to prepare, opting instead for the quick three minutes in the microwave that it takes to eat a "good" tasting Hungreyman Dinner. Also they really aren't that much cheaper. You can buy three cans of green beans for a dollar.

Me, I prefer fresh foods and when we have the time, that's what we fix. Nothing like a good salad with a baked potato and some pork loin or beef brisket from the smoker out on the deck! Lately though, it's been hotdogs, hamburger or a sandwich, cause we are in the middle of softball tournaments!

[Micah Foehammer]

Sir T,

NOW we are on the same page. [img]smile.gif[/img] I won't debate that in we live in a pre-packaged, fast is better, drive-thru culture where people are willing to sacrifice on their diet for the sake of speed / convenience. My point was that there is an option to the organic / genetic processed foods that IS healthy, and moderately inexpensive.

For what it's worth, I must be the ONLY person in the USA with electricity who does NOT have a microwave. *GASP*

Nothing wrong with a big aisle in the supermarket for beer either! [img]smile.gif[/img] Besides, a hot dog and beer isn't a bad lunch at a softball game. LOL

[Rokenn]

Originally posted by Micah Foehammer: Nothing wrong with a big aisle in the supermarket for beer either! [img]smile.gif[/img] Besides, a hot dog and beer isn't a bad lunch at a softball game. LOL

If you make that a tofu hot dog it will be much healthier! [img]smile.gif[/img]
They are actually pretty tasty if you find the right brand. Their is a great deal of differences between the several brands available.

[John D Harris]

Originally posted by Epona: BTW - shouldn't the 2nd poll question have read 'The government can kiss my fat ass'???

Miss Epona Ma'am,
Some of us have backs with cracks But the government can kiss my back with a crack. Most of it is genetics, I wiegh the same as I did in college 20 years ago with No weight shift to the mid section. Eat like a horse, fast food, sweets, sit on my rear end and don't gain wieght. The only exercise I get is pushing the remote to change chanels. When I go to the doctor for a check up the doctor doesn't believe that I don't work out and watch what I eat.

[Mr. Mopery]

Solutions:

All the rich Brits should move to America, where G.W.'s new tax plan will treat them better than royalty.

All the poor Americans should move to Europe, where they'd be treated like humans by the state.

All the fat Americans should STOP DRIVING THAT 10 METERS TO THE CORNER SHOP. Nobody walks anymore in America and that's a big factor (pun intended) in the national obesity issue.

Governments shouldn't tax fatty foods. What's the point? If you eat one less hamburger a week, but still sit on your couch day and night, you ain't gonna get any skinnier.