http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/18/paterson.obesity/index.html
This obesity tax would be slapped on unhealthy foods. Now what about those of us who aren't obese? I know how to moderate what I eat so not to become obese. Why should I have to pay an extra tax because other people are fat asses ???
Well you see, this is the problem with BIG GOVERNMENT.
Though in response to your question as to why, because they can charge us.
Though for all the ranting about how the LEFT is in touch with the people I think this goes to illustrate how much that position is nothing more than a giant load of Bull Shit.
Who's been pushing taxes on smoking, and drinking, the left.
Who was behind criminalizing Marijuana, Democrats and their corporate sponsors.
Who's been behind pushing more and more government interference in our lives for the majority of the century, the Democrats.
The idea that idiots like Governor Paterson is in touch with the people is laughable. Clearly that fat ass is probably dining on filet mignon every night, and charging it to his taxpayer funded account.
It's not our fault that we can't afford to have filet mignon and the tiny little portions that they serve at those over-priced establishments jack asses like him patronize.
And it's none of the government's business what our weight is. At least it wouldn't be if the left wasn't pushing SOCIALIZED MEDICINE DOWN OUR THROAT.
The moment you surrender control of medicine to the government they are going to stop looking for cures and start looking for prevention. And guess what, that usually means that they are going to exercise the prerogative that was given to them and interfere in our lives, and deny access to medical care.
Next thing we know they are going to be doing the following.
1. Eating Fatty/Unhealthy Foods - No Medical Care For You (even if you are a net tax payer.)
2. Smoking Cigarettes - No Medical Care For you.
3. Drinking - No Medical Care For You
4. Doing Drugs - No Medical Care For you.
The road that the Democrats have us on is the ROAD TO A GOVERNMENT THAT DICTATES TO US EVERY SMALL ACTION WE HAVE TO DO.
(not that the current lot of Republicans are any better, just a lot slower in leading to that path of damnation.)
The idea that government needs to provide for us is ludicrous.
Give a person control over your sustenance, or responsibility for your health and they are going to try dictating to you non stop.
Maybe some people here saw AI, with the three laws.
1. A robot shall not allow a human being to come to harm, either through action or inaction.
2. A robot shall obey any command given to it except where it conflicts with the first law.
3. A robot shall try to preserve itself, except where such actions conflict with the first or second laws.
In the end it turned out that the Robot (VICKI, or whatever) had taken the laws to the logical fallacy and decided that for the good of humanity she had to establish a benevolent tyranny.
The parallels between AI and government are similar.
The only way to ensure that the government does not do this kind of stupid crap is to make sure that it is not responsible for us, and that we take responsibility for ourselves.
Though hopefully, the idiocy of the left will leave them fighting each other over this, as it conflicts with two of their laws.
1. You shall not tax the poor more than you tax the rich.
2. You shall take all the power you can from the people.