Do you think the government should tax soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages? (Comments & Reviews) (Page 8)

COMMENTS	POSTED
People that drink lots of sweetened drinks are more likely to have health problems due to diabetes, obesity, and generally bad eating habits. Because of this, they will need more health care, which is paid for in part by the government. Soda and other sweetened beverages should be taxed because they lead to higher medical bills — Anonymous	08/06/2012 - 6:16pm
Some of us are intolerant to artificial sweeteners. I just spent the last three years of my life being treated for IBS and SBS. I was taking meds three times a day and they really weren't working very well. I began reading about gluten intolerance, which led to sucralose (Splenda) intolerance. The very first time I didn't put Splenda in my coffee I noticed a difference. I have been off the Splends AND my IBS/ SBS meds for over a week now and feel fantastic. — Anonymous	08/06/2012 - 1:48pm
Absolutely not. The government is encroaching slowly but surely into our everyday lives and freedoms. The mayor of New York City is involved in mother's breast feeding for pete's sake. If the government wants to help then quit abusing their positions. Their job description is to serve this country, not themselves or large business or under the table deals with special interest groups and unending all around greed. I will be more than happy to put them on my budget. The financial savings would be enormous if our government truly served their people. It's basically our fault because we let them get away with it. The rich and powerful know that if you keep your people poor and ignorant you gain more and more power . We are headed in that direction. Think about how bad our education system has become and getting worse. Our government does nothing but talk about it and cut funding for education over and over. They sure find money for other things but not educating our citizens. I will leap off my soapbox now. — Anonymous	08/06/2012 - 9:27am
Since the government did not sponsor the addition of so much sugar to soda, then, why should they tax it. The goverment should warn people about highly sweetened soft drinks, AND, artificial sweeteners. The government should advise people to protect themselves against these food items by not consuming them; because, most of "us" didn't get the memo !! By the way, most states already tax food items anyway; don't they?? — Anonymous	08/05/2012 - 9:57pm
No they should not. What they should be doing is educating people on a healthy diet. I also believe that the manufacturers should be forced to produce healthier products and taxed for NOT doing it, healthier products, lower taxes. That includes using sustainable/recyclable packaging. Therefore, less health care costs, etc. The people benefit all the ways. — mbradshaw1	08/05/2012 - 3:38pm
I think it will just be another way the government will make money from companies and in a place like south Africa where bribery and corruption seems the norm I don't feel the money would be put to good use anyway. We all have the freedom to choose what we want to eat and will just have to wake up and realize that our health and educating our kids to eat correctly, lies in our own hands. — Anonymous	08/03/2012 - 3:37am
I think the government should stay out of our private lives and let us make our own choices. We are losing our freedoms people, open your eyes and lets stop this before we become a socialist country. — Anonymous	08/02/2012 - 4:33pm
No. It's ridiculous. The government has enough to do and, in general, does it dreadfully. People are responsible for themselves, their children, and the decisions they make. Unfortunately, health care for the growing population of the obese falls on all of us. — Anonymous	08/02/2012 - 4:04pm
NO...the government's involvement in things is getting totally out of hand. We are a free country that should be allowed to make its own decisions without being penalized and that includes what we we consume. If sodas and other items are taxed because they are deemed unhealthy, where does it end? Will televisions be taxed next since it lends itself to the "couch potato"? I completely agree with weggy 485, the government needs to stay out of our business and focus on their may responsibilities. — Anonymous	08/02/2012 - 2:12pm
For crying out loud, this USED to be a free country! You can't stop people from unhealthy behaviors by taxing them. And, as an above comment points out, sugar is NOT the only cause of obesity. I completely agree with weggy485_1! — Anonymous	08/02/2012 - 10:30am