Most ridiculous thing I heard today

[BarstoolProphet]

I was at work, and paused briefly because the customer was asking me how much longer it was going to take. I happened to stop near the tv set while answering, and she was watching what appeared to be some kind of political meeting or discussion.

Apparently, New York State has either tried to pass, or is going to try to pass, an \'Obesity Tax\'.

Thus far, I haven\'t been able to find anything that confirms this, though.

 

[lizcam]

Not sure if it passed but they\'ve been talking about that in various states since the \'80\'s. With the states in such financial trouble they might actually be able to get it passed somewhere. that doesn\'t mean it\'ll stick. Apeals will be made, the supreme court will get involved, religious groups will cry \"thought police\" and \"freedoms\", health organizations will come down on both sides.

But if it does stick in one state it\'ll stick in all of them. I hate the idea, even though I\'m losing weight myself.

Did you know they are thinking about putting a luxury tax on soda? And one equal to what\'s on alcohal and cigarettes. Now THAT\'S rediculous!

 

[mattsterbenz]

I\'ve heard something about how insurance companies want to charge obese people more, similar to the increased price of insurance for smokers. I\'m not opposed to that so much, as it is a more significant health risk than smoking is.

But a tax for simply being overweight? That\'s ridiculous. Precisely why I don\'t believe in big government.



Something to remember the next time you might consider voting for big government:

Uncle Sam has deep pockets. When Uncle Sam gets bigger, his pockets get deeper. When Uncle Sam spends more than he has, he has to refill his pockets, doesn\'t he?

Be prepared for more ridiculous taxes in the times to come.

-Matt

 

[Aliengod3]

I think that a law like that has merit but it will not pass so it does not really make a difference.

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by mattsterbenz
I\'ve heard something about how insurance companies want to charge obese people more, similar to the increased price of insurance for smokers. I\'m not opposed to that so much, as it is a more significant health risk than smoking is.

But a tax for simply being overweight? That\'s ridiculous. Precisely why I don\'t believe in big government.



Something to remember the next time you might consider voting for big government:

Uncle Sam has deep pockets. When Uncle Sam gets bigger, his pockets get deeper. When Uncle Sam spends more than he has, he has to refill his pockets, doesn\'t he?

Be prepared for more ridiculous taxes in the times to come.

-Matt

nothing causes more death and assosiated disease than smoking

 

[airhead]

prove that.

from World Health Org (WHO)
TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH, ALL WHO MEMBER STATES, 2000 CAUSE PERCENT OF TOTAL
(1) Ischemic Heart Disease 12.4%
(2) Cerebrovascular Disease 9.2%
(3) Lower Respiratory Infections 6.9%
(4) HIV/AIDS 5.3%
(5) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 4.5%
(6) Perinatal conditions 4.4%
(7) Diarrhoeal Diseases 3.8%
(8) Tuberculosis 3.0%
(9) Road Traffic Injuries 2.3%
(10) Trachea, Bronchus, Lung Cancers 2.2%

Lung cancer way down at #10 - below automobiles. Stress & Heart up at #1.


I\'d guess that automobiles were pretty bad for you.

Doctors are fairly dangerous things to have as well.

 

[generulpoleaxe]

Big Goverment=communism, always has and always will.
Statists having to prove their worth and needing tax payers money to fund their ideas and projects.
Politicians using tax payers money for popularity and \"spreading democracy\" as well as funding other countries Leaders whilst standing back in amazement when that money doesn\'t get to the people.

a small state with more responsibility on the individuals actions has always been more productive and peacefull.
only problem is, politicians don\'t like that.

Americas founding farthers would weep if they saw the USA today, and they would be amazed that the British hadn\'t overturned their own oppresors as well.
not to mention how much power bankers have.

 

[Avelorn]

@mattsterbenz: We have the biggest government of all and we don\'t charge any tax on obesity. It\'s the insurance way of thinking.

There has been some talk about increasing the sales tax on soda, chips etc. The argument goes that it should be cheaper to buy healthy food then unhealthy. It won\'t work.

@generulpoleaxe: Are the scandinavian countries peaceful and prosperous? do they have large government?

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

Originally posted by lizcam

Did you know they are thinking about putting a luxury tax on soda? And one equal to what\'s on alcohal and cigarettes. Now THAT\'S rediculous!

I\'m all for this and any other non nutritional food stuff like candy..Im a fat person myself..I know what I need to do to not be..drinking less soda is one. If a tax and higher price would stop me from consuming as much Id be all for it. but to be honest even if they doubled the price id still probably drink it.

I wish the US would ban the use of high fructose corn syrup in food products like many countries do.

 

[Evil Dave]

Originally posted by Dragon Forge Design

Originally posted by lizcam

Did you know they are thinking about putting a luxury tax on soda? And one equal to what\'s on alcohal and cigarettes. Now THAT\'S rediculous!

I\'m all for this and any other non nutritional food stuff like candy..Im a fat person myself..I know what I need to do to not be..drinking less soda is one. If a tax and higher price would stop me from consuming as much Id be all for it. but to be honest even if they doubled the price id still probably drink it.

I wish the US would ban the use of high fructose corn syrup in food products like many countries do.

I got a better idea.
Why don\'t you just send me an extra quarter every time you drink a soft drink?
As you said, you\'ll probably continue to drink them anyway, so this will not work and you are only giving your government more money in the name of doing something.

I made the prediction years ago that after the smokers they\'d go after the obese.
Which group is next?
Precedents, people, precedents.
Do not let them take an inch or they will continue to take them.

Edit:
Wait until the cap and trade energy plan takes effect and you will be paying even more for your electricity.

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by airhead
prove that.

from World Health Org (WHO)
TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH, ALL WHO MEMBER STATES, 2000 CAUSE PERCENT OF TOTAL
(1) Ischemic Heart Disease 12.4%
(2) Cerebrovascular Disease 9.2%
(3) Lower Respiratory Infections 6.9%
(4) HIV/AIDS 5.3%
(5) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 4.5%
(6) Perinatal conditions 4.4%
(7) Diarrhoeal Diseases 3.8%
(8) Tuberculosis 3.0%
(9) Road Traffic Injuries 2.3%
(10) Trachea, Bronchus, Lung Cancers 2.2%

Lung cancer way down at #10 - below automobiles. Stress & Heart up at #1.


I\'d guess that automobiles were pretty bad for you.

Doctors are fairly dangerous things to have as well.

ok, 1,2,3,5 and 10 can all be caused by smoking. also, by affecting the blood supply and oxygenation of the blood, people who smoke in hospital, on avereage stay and extra 10 days (i can\'t remember for the life of me which journal i got that from though sorry)

aye, doctors are dangerous, i\'d be terrified if i were treated by some of the doctors in my hospital, complete cretins some of them. i have alist of ones that i will let treat me!

 

[slah]

In Denmark the politicians have reached an agreement on a new tax-reform due to the economic crisis. Basically it´s a cut in the income-tax so people have more money (or at least feel they do).

One of the many means of financing this tax-cut is increasing the v.a.t. on \"sugary\"/unhealthy foods.

Even thought his ofcourse won´t mean that people will suddenly eat entirely wholesome and nutritional it will most likely be a step in the right direction.

There is nothing as effecient as money when it comes to changing \"undesirable\" habits.

 

[Evil Dave]

Originally posted by freakinacage

Originally posted by airhead
prove that.

from World Health Org (WHO)
TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH, ALL WHO MEMBER STATES, 2000 CAUSE PERCENT OF TOTAL
(1) Ischemic Heart Disease 12.4%
(2) Cerebrovascular Disease 9.2%
(3) Lower Respiratory Infections 6.9%
(4) HIV/AIDS 5.3%
(5) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 4.5%
(6) Perinatal conditions 4.4%
(7) Diarrhoeal Diseases 3.8%
(8) Tuberculosis 3.0%
(9) Road Traffic Injuries 2.3%
(10) Trachea, Bronchus, Lung Cancers 2.2%

Lung cancer way down at #10 - below automobiles. Stress & Heart up at #1.


I\'d guess that automobiles were pretty bad for you.

Doctors are fairly dangerous things to have as well.

ok, 1,2,3,5 and 10 can all be caused by smoking

Possibly. It can also be caused by a myriad of other things as well. Such as pollution.
However, these numbers are all being attributed to smoking by anti-smoking groups and if the diseased didn\'t smoke, then second hand smoke. Ignoring the myriad other things to produce a \"villain\" to push an agenda on.

 

[freakinacage]

i agree that pollution can be a cause of it, but when you compare levels of toxins in the air and those that smokers inhale directly into their lungs, i\'d still keep away from the smoking

 

[Evil Dave]

Originally posted by slah
In Denmark the politicians have reached an agreement on a new tax-reform due to the economic crisis. Basically it´s a cut in the income-tax so people have more money (or at least feel they do).

One of the many means of financing this tax-cut is increasing the v.a.t. on \"sugary\"/unhealthy foods.

Even thought his ofcourse won´t mean that people will suddenly eat entirely wholesome and nutritional it will most likely be a step in the right direction.

There is nothing as effecient as money when it comes to changing \"undesirable\" habits.

As a Nation of the people, by the people, for the people, shouldn\'t the people decide for themselves if they want to change undesirable habits?
Or do you feel comfortable with the government (do as I say, not as I do) determining that for you?
With Freedom comes responsibility. Everyone loves the freedom, not so much the responsibility. Take away responsibility, invariably Freedom goes with it.

As for increased health care cost, heh, I\'m already paying for illegal aliens, welfare moms and their bastard offspring, and a myriad of other ne\'r-do-wells, why should I care about an obese person, especially if they are working and paying their taxes as well?
I also pay for women in my health group that require far more medical check-ups, have babies etc. I\'m not a woman why should I pay for that?

 

[slah]

Originally posted by Evil Dave

Originally posted by freakinacage

Originally posted by airhead
prove that.

from World Health Org (WHO)
TEN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH, ALL WHO MEMBER STATES, 2000 CAUSE PERCENT OF TOTAL
(1) Ischemic Heart Disease 12.4%
(2) Cerebrovascular Disease 9.2%
(3) Lower Respiratory Infections 6.9%
(4) HIV/AIDS 5.3%
(5) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 4.5%
(6) Perinatal conditions 4.4%
(7) Diarrhoeal Diseases 3.8%
(8) Tuberculosis 3.0%
(9) Road Traffic Injuries 2.3%
(10) Trachea, Bronchus, Lung Cancers 2.2%

Lung cancer way down at #10 - below automobiles. Stress & Heart up at #1.


I\'d guess that automobiles were pretty bad for you.

Doctors are fairly dangerous things to have as well.

ok, 1,2,3,5 and 10 can all be caused by smoking

Possibly. It can also be caused by a myriad of other things as well. Such as pollution.
However, these numbers are all being attributed to smoking by anti-smoking groups and if the diseased didn\'t smoke, then second hand smoke. Ignoring the myriad other things to produce a \"villain\" to push an agenda on.

Just to be clear - are you disagreeing with the statement thast smoking is seriously unhelathy and really should be avoided, or are you \" just\" arguing that the state should mind it´s own damn business and let the smokers smoke (and at the same time let the obese be obese?)

 

[Evil Dave]

Originally posted by slah

Just to be clear - are you disagreeing with the statement thast smoking is seriously unhelathy and really should be avoided, or are you \" just\" arguing that the state should mind it´s own damn business and let the smokers smoke (and at the same time let the obese be obese?)

That the state should mind it´s own damn business and let the smokers smoke (and at the same time let the obese be obese.)

 

[supervike]

 

[airhead]

Arguing that the statement made that

nothing causes more death and associated disease than smoking

I won\'t say that they are not bad for you. I quit several years ago and promptly put on 40 lbs. If this obesity tax goes into effect, I may take up smoking again to lose weight. All a matter of which taxes I want to pay as neither are healthy for me.

Entirely off topic. I\'m sorry.

Secondly, less government is a good thing - at least from my ultra-right wing conservative point of view.

 

[slah]

Originally posted by Evil Dave

Originally posted by slah
In Denmark the politicians have reached an agreement on a new tax-reform due to the economic crisis. Basically it´s a cut in the income-tax so people have more money (or at least feel they do).

One of the many means of financing this tax-cut is increasing the v.a.t. on \"sugary\"/unhealthy foods.

Even thought his ofcourse won´t mean that people will suddenly eat entirely wholesome and nutritional it will most likely be a step in the right direction.

There is nothing as effecient as money when it comes to changing \"undesirable\" habits.

As a Nation of the people, by the people, for the people, shouldn\'t the people decide for themselves if they want to change undesirable habits?
Or do you feel comfortable with the government (do as I say, not as I do) determining that for you?
With Freedom comes responsibility. Everyone loves the freedom, not so much the responsibility. Take away responsibility, invariably Freedom goes with it.

As for increased health care cost, heh, I\'m already paying for illegal aliens, welfare moms and their bastard offspring, and a myriad of other ne\'r-do-wells, why should I care about an obese person, especially if they are working and paying their taxes as well?
I also pay for women in my health group that require far more medical check-ups, have babies etc. I\'m not a woman why should I pay for that?

In a perfect world where everybody made good, intelligent and informed decisions I would agree 100% with you, unfortunately we aren´t living in that world.

We are living in a world where people KNOWINGLY start a habit that is extremely unhealthy for themselves and those around them, and in addition to that it costs the state untold millions of dollars every year.

We criminalize drugs, and things like theft, murder, drunk driving and so on and son because those are things that are undesirable for the people they affect, and because it is undesirable for the society as a whole.

I don´t see the point of having a \"hands-off\" point of view just because we´re dealing with smoking or obesity - those two things are just as undesirable for the society and individuals as most of the other things I mentioned.