It's getting to boring here... is this racist?

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

Im sure buckman is kidding, but his angle is that this is basically a tax on being white

Exactly. It's a measure to selectively tax a group deemed to be putting their health at risk. In that case, they should tax anyone who bungee jumps, eats fast food, rides a dirtbike, etc...

Why not a tax on people who ride the bus? Those fumes can cause health problems.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by fishbones

Exactly. It's a measure to selectively tax a group deemed to be putting their health at risk. In that case, they should tax anyone who bungee jumps, eats fast food, rides a dirtbike, etc...

Why not a tax on people who ride the bus? Those fumes can cause health problems.

They tax cigarettes, tanning booths and soon fast food and sugary drinks. All items that increase the risk of disease.

As I've said many times before, if you receive any assistance to have health care, then a history of high-risk behavior exempts the insurance provider from liability for the diseases caused by those behaviors.

Quite honestly, I don't care if people want to eat themselves dead, shoot up heroin, smoke like a chimney or drink their liver to oblivion. On the other hand, I also don't want to pay for those people's bad decisions.

You get in a car accident and have a BAC of .14? You pay the bill for being an idiot.

People make decisions without regard for the consequences because often times they are minimally liable to pay for them anyway.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

They tax cigarettes, tanning booths and soon fast food and sugary drinks. All items that increase the risk of disease.

As I've said many times before, if you receive any assistance to have health care, then a history of high-risk behavior exempts the insurance provider from liability for the diseases caused by those behaviors.

Quite honestly, I don't care if people want to eat themselves dead, shoot up heroin, smoke like a chimney or drink their liver to oblivion. On the other hand, I also don't want to pay for those people's bad decisions.

You get in a car accident and have a BAC of .14? You pay the bill for being an idiot.

People make decisions without regard for the consequences because often times they are minimally liable to pay for them anyway.

I agree with most of what you say here, but what about the person who tans at the beach or in their backyard? It's still risky behavior, but they don't get taxed. How about a woman who who goes to a tanning booth a couple of times before her wedding to look nice for her big day. Is it fair that she has to pay because George Hamilton overdoes it? Some things that are unhealthy in excess are fine if done in moderation. This is selective taxation aimed at a group who isn't considered to be a serious threat. The government is going to continue picking and choosing who will pay more in taxes based on what they think won't hurt their re-election hopes.

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by fishbones

I agree with most of what you say here, but what about the person who tans at the beach or in their backyard? It's still risky behavior, but they don't get taxed. How about a woman who who goes to a tanning booth a couple of times before her wedding to look nice for her big day. Is it fair that she has to pay because George Hamilton overdoes it? Some things that are unhealthy in excess are fine if done in moderation. This is selective taxation aimed at a group who isn't considered to be a serious threat. The government is going to continue picking and choosing who will pay more in taxes based on what they think won't hurt their re-election hopes.

I don't disagree with you, in that they will selectively pick and choose who gets taxed. I wouldn't doubt that a conversation occurred that discussed how wealthier people can afford to get tans, so they can afford to pay more for them.

If the tax on cigarettes has shown anything, it's that even if you tax something to the point in which the price doubles, people will still pay it. Also on cigarettes (and this is just an opinion), the number of smokers is down but I think it is more because it has become a social stigma as opposed to a price issue.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

the number of smokers is down but I think it is more because it has become a social stigma as opposed to a price issue.

not for Obama...although, if he were a Republican, I'm guessing it would be an issue

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by scottw

not for Obama...although, if he were a Republican, I'm guessing it would be an issue

Come on, you can do better than that.

[scottw]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Come on, you can do better than that.

not for Obama...although, if he were white and a Republican, I'm guessing it would be an issue