Fat Chance Tax

My favorite Congresswoman is making news. Though I'm not sure she understands the real impact she's having.

Philly has the ban on saturated fats. Now, the nation will enjoy a $.10 tax on every soft drink sold - that's if Allyson Schwartz (D - PA 13th Congressional District) has her way. A couple weeks ago Schwartz said this would be, "a real treat", to impose a tax on each 12 ounce purchase of non-sugar free soft drink.

You heard right. This esteemed Congresswoman is leading the charge on a "Fat Tax". The money stolen from our pockets, I assume, will go to fund obesity related procedures.

Since we Americans can't possibly take care of ourselves, the almighty government is going to tax us for every bad thing we do to our bodies.

That's only fair. After all, once they provide us a public health care plan, they can mandate our lifestyles.

So, I called my Congresswoman's office. I told the staffer, a pleasant woman named Katie, who I was and wanted her to convey my opposition to this tax. Her response,

"The Congresswoman believed it was important to pass the important climate bill [a.k.a. Cap and Trade bill] to limit carbon emissions and its impact on the environment."

So I asked what a fat tax had to do with climate change,

"Well, I'm not sure, I haven't read the entire bill myself. But I certainly can pass along your opposition and see if the Congresswoman can do for you. The bill has passed the House and has moved on to the Senate."

Now, I know there is nothing a Congresswoman can do to affect the Senate vote, but what exactly was she saying? Although the Congresswoman introduced the measure, she would petition the Senate to vote it down?

Katie said she had other calls to take. I'm sure she did. But when she mentioned I was the first to contact her about this fat tax issue, I knew she was blowing smoke up my rear.

On a related issue - a dentist's name has popped up as the first potential challenger to Ms. Schwartz. Even though I'm sure he'd encourage people to drink less sugar-loaded soda, I'll bet he's against punishing people for doing so.

To be continued...