Do You Support Consumer Freedom?

[BillyTK]

I believe people should be allowed to consume as much or as little coke type drinks, fatty foods, Peta (Peta? the actress or the conservationists?), GM products, alcohol and cigarettes as long as they like, as long as they don't endanger others with their usage, and are as fully informed as is reasonable about the nature of these products, which is where Momma Gubmint steps in–to ensure that such information is available, and that evil companies aren't trying to pass off crack cocaine as candy for little kids, nor endangering their employees in the manufacture of these products (or beagles, as is the case with tobacco). And if if someone is penniless, uninsured and suffering health problems through making wrong choices in life, then shanek should be forced to pay for them.

 

[EvilYeti]

It depends, if health care was socialized I think dictating what foods you may eat/purchase should be regulated.

Here, here, buy the man a beer!

I'm firmly convinced that if taxes were levied against unhealthy consumer items socialized medicine could work in America.

We always hear that "XXXX causes 20 billion dollars a year in medical care". Why not just tax sales of XXXX to the tune of 20 billion dollars anually? As long as we were consistent, this would cover the majority of health care costs.

 

[Grammatron]

Here, here, buy the man a beer!

I'm firmly convinced that if taxes were levied against unhealthy consumer items socialized medicine could work in America.

We always hear that "XXXX causes 20 billion dollars a year in medical care". Why not just tax sales of XXXX to the tune of 20 billion dollars anually? As long as we were consistent, this would cover the majority of health care costs.

That sounds like a good idea, except it has a potential of creating a black market. For example, in New York they put high taxes on cigarettes, the result is a black market of people trying to buy cheap cigarettes from where ever and sell them tax free in New York.

 

[EvilYeti]

That sounds like a good idea, except it has a potential of creating a black market. For example, in New York they put high taxes on cigarettes, the result is a black market of people trying to buy cheap cigarettes from where ever and sell them tax free in New York.

Read this short story:

Lipidleggin

I think the reality won't be quite that extreme.

Yes, black markets are a reality and always a danger. The best you can do is enforce the current law and try to keep the taxes reasonable enough that consumers won't bother with the added risk if illegal purchases.

 

[Grammatron]

Read this short story:

Lipidleggin

I think the reality won't be quite that extreme.

Yes, black markets are a reality and always a danger. The best you can do is enforce the current law and try to keep the taxes reasonable enough that consumers won't bother with the added risk if illegal purchases.

Thanks for the story

 

[peptoabysmal]

Re: Re: Do You Support Consumer Freedom?

Just don't make me pay for it when you become a fat, bloated, cholesterol-poisoned, hyperactive incontinent with lung cancer, severe liver damage, and an eye twitch waking up naked in a sleeping bag in an alleyway with a box of Ho-Ho's!

I hate it when that happens.