Fat tax?? What next, Big Brother?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Hog1

Listening to an early morning talk show this morning, the topic being the Federal debate regarding putting some........tax's on foods (both at the grocery and fast food, etc) that contribute to weight management issues in this country. Argument being the alleged burden that these practices put on the Fed in the form of increased healthcare costs.
I'm like, what ELSE is the F.....n Fed going to decide for me?
I support smokers rights (or at least some of them) even though I do not smoke. I view their plight as another American freedom going away. I am greatly concerned that the Fed is going to completely control all of what used to be freedoms in this country.
Whats next to be regulated and taxed out of existence?
Motorcycles? to dangerous and to much health care involved.
etc?

I'm in complete disagreement with you.

When you're fat, you're more likely to go to the hospital for heart attacks and stuff like that. Now, insurers have to foot the bill for anyone under 65. But the majority of health problems hit after you're 65, which is covered by Medicare, which is funded by our tax dollars. So if you're fat, you're going to hit the hospital a lot more often after the age of 65, and you're going to drain Medicare's pocketbook a lot faster than a skinny 65-year-old would.

Since a fat guy pays the same Medicare tax rate as a skinny guy, how is it fair for the skinny guy? He's paying the same amount into Medicare, but after he's 65, he's not getting nearly as much out of it.

Not that he wants to get more out of it. He wants to stay healthy. Instead, the fat guy should be footing more of the bill. Taxing fatty foods is the easiest way.

Some people would say well I manage my weight, but I still want to eat at McDonald's once in a while. Why should I be taxed? The answer is you won't pay much tax if you're only eating there once in a while.

It's the fairest way to do it. The same thing should be done for smokers and drinkers.