Big Brother commands you to eat better!

[Cromulent]

And yet you do pay, every day.

Perhaps you'd like to move into a cave somewhere?

Perhaps the government should start taxing them?

 

[clayj]

I think the point I was trying to make is that you seem intent on taxing the bejeezus out of every activity that is in any way harmful or, more to the point, something you don't agree with. You don't smoke, so you object to anyone else smoking and especially if they receive any sort of taxpayer-subsidized health benefits. You don't drink, so you object to people drinking and you think the tax on liquor should be sky high. Et cetera, et cetera.

The only way to avoid your taxes going to pay for people who are stupid, greedy, or lazy is to opt out of the system altogether and become a hermit... and even then, they'll still try to tax you.

In an ideal world, people would take responsibility for their actions and none of us would be asked to pay to cover their bad choices or bad luck. Sadly, we do not live in such a world.

 

[Cromulent]

I think the point I was trying to make is that you seem intent on taxing the bejeezus out of every activity that is in any way harmful or, more to the point, something you don't agree with. You don't smoke, so you object to anyone else smoking and especially if they receive any sort of taxpayer-subsidized health benefits. You don't drink, so you object to people drinking and you think the tax on liquor should be sky high. Et cetera, et cetera.

The only way to avoid your taxes going to pay for people who are stupid, greedy, or lazy is to opt out of the system altogether and become a hermit... and even then, they'll still try to tax you.

In an ideal world, people would take responsibility for their actions and none of us would be asked to pay to cover their bad choices or bad luck. Sadly, we do not live in such a world.

Actually I do smoke (well I did until 24 hours ago) but I still agree with taxing it through the roof. Why? Because I know it is bad for me, I know that by smoking I am costing others who do not smoke thousands of pounds in health care expenses and I don't want to give them any excuse to get on my back about it. If I do something harmful to myself, I want to pay the consequences.

That is my point, everyone seems so intent on liberty and freedoms of choice that no one seems to take responsibility anymore. People claim that they are overweight because of health reasons. I say thats rubbish, I bet less than 1% of overweight people have real health problems the rest are just lazy and ignorant. Take responsibility for your actions, if that means paying more in taxes then so be it. You deserve to pay more.

 

[leekohler]

They have to pay for insurance which then pays out if they get injured. This money is then used to protect others from being sued and should also go back into the health system to pay for their health care. This is the way it should be.

So your saying that smokers should not be taxed because other things people do cost the health system money and they are not taxed. Therefore nothing should be taxed. That is really really poor logic. I refuse to pay for other peoples laziness, greed and stupidity.

Nope. A tax is fine. But where does taxing people end? And here in the States, what you're saying doesn't apply. People who skydive don't pay an additional insurance charge for example.