18% tax on sugary drinks...

[Jer]

This plan is destined to work. I mean, all of the taxes they've added to cigarettes over the years has really cut down on smoking. Right?

[SephYuyX]

I like it, but the tax should be much higer, they should also heavily tax fast food. They also need to make cig and alcohol tax higher.

[Stumblingdrunk]

This plan is destined to work. I mean, all of the taxes they've added to cigarettes over the years has really cut down on smoking. Right?

But it has made the government a shitload of money, which regardless of the reasons presented is always the main purpose of any tax.
1)Find something people overindulge in
2)Tax the hell out of it
3)Profit

[archibaldcrane]

This plan is destined to work. I mean, all of the taxes they've added to cigarettes over the years has really cut down on smoking. Right?

Yeah.

ACS :: US Smoking Rates Continue to Drop

About 44.5 million US adults (20.9% of the population) were current smokers in 2004, the agency reported. That's down from 2003, when 45.4 million US adults (21.6%) smoked. The figures are based on the National Health Interview Survey, a telephone survey of more than 31,000 US residents over age 18.

What's more, smokers also appear to be lighting up less than in the past. Back in 1993, daily smokers averaged nearly 20 cigarettes a day, but by 2004, that number was down to just under 17 a day.

[Day]

Was just getting ready to say... yeah it has.

[Jer]

Well that surprised me lol. Around here you wouldn't be able to tell. Though the drop could be from people actually believing that smoking causes cancer.

On second thought, you're right, it must be the taxes. Seriously not a sarcastic remark, people are stupid.

[Exoduso]

Good thing I stopped drinking those years ago...

[Ksandra]

Legalize weed tax the shit out of it.

made me think of a chris rock skit. He said to legalize guns, but make bullets coast 2000$ each, so you really have to think about it before you shoot. Since it's NY they could do the same and put a 50% tax on the bullets! Will lower crime, but raise profits fast. D:

[oldoldman]

Isn't this one of the first steps towards oppression?

[Shinryusan]

As for the glycemic index discussion, I think what Stumblingdrunk is trying to get at is the difference in metabolism between glucose and fructose. For one thing, Fructose is an intermediary product of the glycolysis of glucose, so by introducing it directly you skip out on a few energy-consuming steps, as described in a post above. The real kicker though, is that fructose is primarily used to synthesize fatty acids in the liver, and not for more short term energy needs like production of ATP through the Krebs cycle. This means that nearly all of the fructose in your diet goes directly into fat production without even having a shot to be utilized in a short-term form in your cells, hence the issue (NOT pseudo-science at all, btw). That paper Archibaldcrane posted is interesting though.

In the interests of sanity, I will refrain from posting pictures of metabolic pathways as proof. If you want, I can post them though, lol.

[Beckwin]

I think this is a good idea, and I'm someone who really enjoys a soda every now and then (and mixed with alcohol).

[oldoldman]

Could it be possible that it is decreased spending and not more taxes that will solve New York's problem?

[Muffins]

Or maybe even better economic conditions? I fail to see how increased taxation helps anyone, especially while simultaneously cutting funding on subsidies to schools, hospitals, and other aid.

[TheShadyMan]

You cut funding on subsidies because you don't have enough money. AND GUESS WHAT YOU CAN GET MONEY FROM.

[oldoldman]

Stimulating the economy? Raising taxes does the exact opposite.

[Seraph]

So stupid. You can't force changes in life style with taxes.

It's not about lifestyle, it's about NY spending too much damn money. They need to spend less instead of tax more. NY has some of the worst taxes in the country already. This is almost as bad as the taxes they are trying to impose on the Native Americans living here.

So what this all means is I have to choose between a guy that likes hookers, and one that likes taxes? Awesome.

[Mertron]

Dont drink soda, dont care.

If they start taxing bacon though I'm getting my pitchfork.

[Day]

It's not about lifestyle, it's about NY spending too much damn money. They need to spend less instead of tax more. NY has some of the worst taxes in the country already. This is almost as bad as the taxes they are trying to impose on the Native Americans living here.

So what this all means is I have to choose between a guy that likes hookers, and one that likes taxes? Awesome.

I like hookers and taxes, but sadly I'm taken. I'll let you know if that changes.

[Avanarius]

I love how politicians can dream this shit up and have there ideas make it so far.

Firstly, why would they measure it by amount of fruit juice content as apposed to sugar content? Considering sugar is a dilutable substance you can still have a shit load of sugar even if it's 90% real fruit juice.

Secondly, not everyone has a shitty ass metabolism where they gain 10 pounds from one can. I personally drink 3-4 cans a day and don't gain a feather from it.

and lastly, walk more and stop being so fat god damn.

[Seraph]

I like hookers and taxes, but sadly I'm taken. I'll let you know if that changes.

Would you spend the tax money getting everyone hookers?