Berkeley Residents Have Vaze Off Dealing Mit Deez Tingz....

[rubato]

My biggest fear is that people will do nothing about solving our problems.

Obesity and diabetes are epidemics which will overwhelm us with increased health costs and shortened lives.


Yes,
Rubato

[oldr_n_wsr]

So we tax them until they comform?
And spend that additional revenue on the regular runnings of the gov.

If the tax was earmarked for education and healthcare of the diabetics and obese, it might pay off. But going into the general fund just gives more money for the gov to waste.

[rubato]

So we tax them until they comform?
And spend that additional revenue on the regular runnings of the gov.

If the tax was earmarked for education and healthcare of the diabetics and obese, it might pay off. But going into the general fund just gives more money for the gov to waste.

If the higher taxes reduce consumption it is a good thing no matter if it goes into the general fund and offsets other taxes or if it goes to education. The largest effect is when the taxes are used for education, as cigarette taxes were in California, but I won't let perfect be the enemy of the good.




yrs,
rubato

[oldr_n_wsr]

So there is no plan to use some of the money collected to educate.

I see.

[Big RR]

Taxes on the product, even prohibition, weren't enough to get people to stop drinking alcohol. Taxes alone don't work for tobacco (peple still smoke at $8.00 a pack in many places). Education appears to be the only thing that has a chance. So it's more like doing something good (supporting education) vs doing effectively nothing of any good about the problem (but kidding yourselves that you're doing something worthwhile). And of course, funding research into addressing diabetes and other obesity related diseases is also a good idea to minimize problems from the other side.

People rarely respond positively to strong arm tactics by the government; indeed, those tactics often push people the other way. And that is not good, it is counterproductive.

[oldr_n_wsr]

$8.00 a pack in many places

Over $10 in NYC. $8-$9 here on LI.
$3 if you go to the reservation.

[Jarlaxle]

$10+/pack for name brands in Massachusetts. I wonder if it would be cheaper to smoke pot...?

[Big RR]

Well you save on the labor when you roll your own.

[rubato]

Taxes by themselves have a significant effect. The best result uses both taxes and education.


Yrs,
Rubato