Some members of the Senate are floating the idea of adding a new federal soda tax to bubble up revenues to pay for health care.
The idea is that soda is pretty bad for you (and a big contributor to obesity-related health problems). So by charging a tax, you raise money and possibly put a cork in the number of Cokes everyone drinks.
Of course, like with the cigarette tax, these two notions are at odds (a government specialty) and the tax essentially puts the government into the soda business.
Do I really want you to stop drinking Pepsi if I am getting a cut every time you do? If nothing else, a loud debate about this issue will help market the idea that sodas and sports drinks probably aren’t the best source of calories (That said, taxation-induced poverty is a pretty painful way to lose weight).
I’ve managed to provide a lot of content without really providing you with a sound or satisfying conclusion. Maybe I should run for Senator…
