Denmark Passes The "Fat Tax"

[JakeStratham]

Here it comes.

You've likely heard that Denmark has finally passed a fat tax. To get up to speed, here's more info:

Should there be a tax on foods high in saturated fats? – Cafferty File - CNN.com Blogs

Denmark's "fat tax" targets butter, burgers - HealthPop - CBS News

Denmark introduces fat tax to curb unhealthy habits, improve life expectancy - The Washington Post


You may be thinking, "So what. It ain't the U.S., so why should I care?" I'd remind you that POTUS's significant other is rabid about health, and willing to use her position to make citizens healthier. Taxes and legislation are the next step.

Denmark's move sets a precedent, and will embolden other states to follow suit. It may take a few years for them to do so, but they will. After all, it represents another revenue source for them, and is "off the radar."

The result? We'll pay more, we'll have fewer freedoms, and most folks will never realize what's happening. ("Hahcum mah dollar don't buy me as much ice cream anymow!")


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[blank_czech]

inb4 Denmark starts to get fatter.

 

[cheshire]

When national healthcare hits this will the the first tax. After all, if people are healthier and not fat we all pay less, right?

 

[sixthcutuan]

Lets just wait and watch. Nice little social experiment they have set up for us.

 

[Rage9]

Nestle also questions the importance of saturated fat for lowering heart disease risk, which "remains to be proven." But she thinks if the tax's goal were to prevent skyrocketing obesity rates, then taxes should be imposed on other major sources of calories - like grain-based or dairy desserts, alcoholic beverages, pizza and pasta dishes, sodas.

Ding ding ding! Really it sounds like they are taxing the WRONG stuff. If anything this should drive people away from what they should be eating.

 

[Jake1125]

Tax by body-mass will fix the deficit, massive USA resource there.
Go to a mall, see for yourself.

 

[charlesmartel]

Dumbasses. A diet high in saturated fat is actually good for you. Butter, meat and cheese are health foods!

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[potentialeight]

Seems like an arbitrary new tax to get more manies. The whole health thing seems like an excuse that sounds nice to me.

 

[amateursurgeon]

This would pass very quickly in some US states. The corn farmer's lobby would be wetting themselves with excitement at what it would do to HFCS sales. I bet Coca Cola would happily chip in to see it through too.

If they were serious about food health, they'd tax ALL processed food into oblivion and ban microwave ovens for added bonus points. Can't see that happening somehow.

A stupid tax would be a better idea. Oh wait, they have one of those - it's called the lottery.

 

[crackp0t]

This would pass very quickly in some US states. The corn farmer's lobby would be wetting themselves with excitement at what it would do to HFCS sales. I bet Coca Cola would happily chip in to see it through too.

If they were serious about food health, they'd tax ALL processed food into oblivion and ban microwave ovens for added bonus points. Can't see that happening somehow.

A stupid tax would be a better idea. Oh wait, they have one of those - it's called the lottery.

I'd be pissed if they tried to ban microwaves and I couldn't warm up left overs quick.

EDIT:

I also don't understand why anyone else cares if someone they don't know gets fat and dies early.

 

[Falian]

Can I get a tax credit for healthy food and gym equipment?

Instead of punishing bad behavior, why not incentive good behavior?

 

[lukep]

Agreed that this tax isn't targeting what would help them be healthy. How completely moronic.

Meanwhile, I just can't see something similar to this passing in any US states for one very good reason:

Fatties in poor health here make many Billions of $$$ yearly for big Pharma.

Does anyone here honestly believe that big Pharma would be OK with this passing into law?

 

[dreamache]

Can I get a tax credit for healthy food and gym equipment?

Instead of punishing bad behavior, why not incentive good behavior?

fuckin a. I agree.

 

[lukep]

Can I get a tax credit for healthy food and gym equipment?

Instead of punishing bad behavior, why not incentive good behavior?

How utopic.

Sadly the fact is that governments want your money. They don't want to GIVE you money, they want to TAKE it.

 

[Berto]

Is Saturated Fat Healthy? | Mark's Daily Apple
Saturated Fat | Men's Health

*sigh*

 

[JerseyJoe]

Instead of punishing bad behavior, why not incentive good behavior?

how about government getting the fuck out of dictating behavior altogether?

 

[music4mic]

Seems like an arbitrary new tax to get more manies.

This is how prohibitions begin. People are so easy to brainwash we'll have Americans picking on fat asses the same way they've picked on smokers for 20 years.

 

[GangsterProfit]

how about government getting the fuck out of dictating behavior altogether?

Agreed. New Jersey for the win.

 

[kingofsp]

I read the thread title as "fart tax." You can imagine my disappointment.

 

[crackp0t]

I read the thread title as "fart tax." You can imagine my disappointment.

We should force everyone to install a body implant and tax farts. It would help save the world from global warming, because we could buy carbon credits with all the tax monies.