Sugary [Carbonation] Frustration
...what?
Let’s not pretend like we care about the health of New Yorkers. I get angry every time I hear/see the ad that’s been running in support of the tax. Even if the TV’s on mute it makes me cringe. A doctor blabs about how New Yorkers are doomed health wise. Obesity, cholesterol, whatever. In short, we’re fat pigs and we’re killing ourselves. Then the ad give us all these great reasons for the tax on Soda. First, it’s mentioned that we need to keep New York healthy.
What?
We have rising heart disease cases, people with BMI’s well over 30 and this is all going to be fixed by a tax on soda, oh kiddies surely you jest.
There is one thing in this ad that’s right though. Putting some of that money toward health care is a positive thing. Just don’t tell us that it’s going to make New York healthier, HELLO! Think cigarettes. I haven’t done any polling but I’d assume if you asked the majority of New Yorkers whether the Soda Tax is effective for the purpose of “Making New York Healthy” I’m willing to bet about 75% would say no. There have been similar polls conducted about cigarettes and the taxes incurred… people know it’s not going to stop those who are addicted. And guess what? If obese Kim and morbidly obese Mike go out to pick up a bottle of Dr. Pepper at Cumby’s, see the price is slightly higher… Gee, I bet they’ll go through this exact dialogue:
Mike: Oh Kim, look, it seems as if the price of Dr. Pepper has gone up by about 60 cents!
Kim: Mike, that’s because New York cares about you! They know that you are suffering this epidemic and this is their way to show you they care! Or to at least be AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT
Mike: Mm, Dr. Pepper
Kim: Oh, grab me one too?
The additional $X Kim and Mike spend in this hypothetical but potentially true situation in no means influence they’re decision. And maybe, for a few people out there it will. But guess who those people are? The people with very low socioeconomic statuses. So low that they literally could not find the extra few coins on the street.
