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  • An Alternative to Soda Ta

    From MATTHEW MUNSON@VERT/IUTOPIA to All on Sun Apr 7 10:52:00 2019
    This is the letter I submitted to the local newspaper in my area.

    The beverage industry is trying their best to prevent the legislature from passing a flavored beverage tax in  Making Sweet Overtures  (April 7th)
    Instead of taxing sugary drinks, we should provide a tax cut to
    Californians who choose not to consume sugary drinks. Not many people
    realize that the California Redemption Value fee is taxed on top of their purchase. The CRV should be tax exempt when you purchase drinks not
    flavored with sugar or corn syrup such as water and stevia flavored
    beverages to help encourage healthier choices.
    Since California decided to become a mega majority, taxes can easily
    happen. However, it should be time for our state legislature to consider alternative options instead of soaking the people of our state with taxes.

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  • From Nightfox to MATTHEW MUNSON on Mon Apr 8 16:41:51 2019
    Re: An Alternative to Soda Ta
    By: MATTHEW MUNSON to All on Sun Apr 07 2019 10:52 am

    Instead of taxing sugary drinks, we should provide a tax cut to Californians who choose not to consume sugary drinks. Not many people

    I think it might be more difficult to prove that you didn't consume sugary drinks than if you did. If you want the tax cut, you'd probably need to save your receipts from the grocery store and restaurants through the year and send them all in to show that you didn't purchase any sugary drinks - And the government would have to trust that you sent in all your receipts and didn't leave any of them out. On the other hand, if they tax sugary drinks, that's something you would pay up-front when you buy them, which I think would be easier to implement.

    I'm not saying I'm in favor of that, I'm just thinking of the reasons why or why not. I tend to think there shouldn't be that kind of tax on foods people buy, as we should be able to buy/consume what we want. If they want to argue that increased health problems are putting a burden on our healthcare system, etc., then maybe they have a valid point, but still, maybe they should let people take responsibility for their own health instead of trying to punish everyone for it. Those who choose to consume sugary drinks only in moderation shouldn't be punished (but then, if they don't buy them very often anyway, maybe the tax wouldn't affect them as much).

    Nightfox
  • From Brokenmind@VERT/TIABBS to MATTHEW MUNSON on Tue Apr 9 08:55:46 2019
    Re: An Alternative to Soda Ta
    By: MATTHEW MUNSON to All on Sun Apr 07 2019 10:52 am

    passing a flavored beverage tax in  Making Sweet Overtures  (April 7th) Instead of taxing sugary drinks, we should provide a tax cut to Californians who choose not to consume sugary drinks. Not many people realize that the California Redemption Value fee is taxed on top of their purchase. The CRV should be tax exempt when you purchase drinks not flavored with sugar or corn syrup such as water and stevia flavored beverages to help encourage healthier choices.
    Since California decided to become a mega majority, taxes can easily happen. However, it should be time for our state legislature to consider alternative options instead of soaking the people of our state with taxes.

    Sounds like a great idea but I think they are to busy trying to arrest people with plastic straws

    Brokenmind

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