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Why is the new tax needed? What are we trying to fund that other taxes don't already cover? Don't we (the government) subsidize HFCS? Wouldn't not doing that r
by hfsktr 10y ago
Why is the new tax needed? What are we trying to fund that other taxes don't already cover?
Don't we (the government) subsidize HFCS? Wouldn't not doing that raise the prices and not require a tax then?
I will oppose a 'sugar' tax because I don't think the government should be deciding what foods I consume, especially when I think taxes should be for raising money.
I am aware it's not the full picture and I haven't explained it well but I hope I got a little bit of my view across.
- mjevans 10y agoMaybe we should stop subsidizing unhealthy sugar (because it is in -everything- cheep as a result).
- hfsktr 10y agoI agree with this. Then there would be no need for a new tax right?
- prostoalex 10y agoFrom the tax simplification point of view you're right. But removing the subsidy would still raise the prices on soft drinks, and affect lower income households disproportionally, so it's a regressive measure as well.
- majewsky 10y agoDepends on the scope. If you can reduce obesity and obesity-induced diseases, that could affect the average budget of a low-income family very positively. Of course, I don't have numbers on how the two effects weigh against each other.