What Do You Think About The "Fat Tax"?
By FayeSLongo
@FayeSLongo (306)
United States
November 11, 2008 10:06am CST
In 2010 the US government is thinking about passing a "Fat Tax". That means that anyone who is overweight or obese will be charged an additional tax, the government will give you one year to improve but if you don't you get taxed! I find this to be appalling! And for good reason; many people in the US cannot afford to by healthier foods, sometimes a medical condition can be the cause of obesity, not to mention that this tax would FURTHER discriminate and single-out these people who need help and support NOT punishment!
But I want to know what YOU think!
2 people like this
2 responses
@soooobored (1184)
• United States
12 Nov 08
The only "fat tax" I have heard of is the one the government is proposing to put on junk food, and snack foods that contribute to obesity. The funds from this tax would be put towards education on healthy eating habits, and government funded programs to fight obesity. That I wholeheartedly support!
Is it possible that the tax you are talking about was confused with this? If not, can you provide a link? I'm curious that the kind of tax you are describing could even get as far as proposal, it would be more costly to enforce than the government could ever earn back!
@FayeSLongo (306)
• United States
13 Nov 08
Hi and thanks for commenting. The fat tax you are talking about has also been up for discussion but the one I am talking about is discussed a little further here http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/08/alabama-places.html, and here http://theroot.com/id/48533?GT1=38002, and here http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414861,00.html
I should have made it more clear that THIS specific fat tax is being tried in Alabama and is being specifically aimed at state employees. When I first started researching it I got so caught up that I failed to mention that and now as I read over my post I see that I totally gave the wrong idea and I apologize for that. Thanks for your post and for pointing out my mistake.
@soooobored (1184)
• United States
13 Nov 08
I remember hearing about this a little while ago... I'm not as opposed to it as I was in my original response. This is a hike in insurance cost, and you can certainly make an argument that it's fair to employees who don't run the extra risks associated with obesity. I would say it's only fair if there is an extra charge for being a smoker, and since there is, I'm really not all that opposed.
Still, I don't think it will work practically. The costs for the health screenings, and potentially lawsuits make this pretty much impractical.
Oh, and FYI, I took the BMI test linked in the article, and I'm 2.5 points away from obese (even though I'm pretty sure I look ok!!), so I'm not just some skinny girl saying this cause it couldn't happen to me!
@FayeSLongo (306)
• United States
13 Nov 08
I think it's great that you took that test and thanks for your input =)
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
13 Nov 08
This is AWFUL and yes it is indeed discrimination. I am against discrimination anyway, even though it happens sneakily all the time. For instance, people of 'over average size' (ie obese) sometimes are told they have to purchase TWO airline tickets because they have to use two seats.
The way the economy is now, this may force a lot of people to lose medical insurance as it is, and if they also get taxed, it will squeeze people who already cannot afford to be squeezed. Think! If they already have to buy lower quality food, and it could soon get worse? If you can't lose weight NOW because you cannot afford to buy fresh healthy foods and you can't afford a gym membership or a bicycle or a pair of dumbells not to mention the time to do healthy things, the government thinks people will be able to do that in a couple years when faced with the threat of a tax, when the economy is even MORE in the toilet? Fat chance, no pun intended.
BTW I hope this is something that is voted on. I believe that everybody who is even slightly overweight along with a good percentage of non-overweight will defeat the idea on principle. This is disgusting.
