Letter to the editor: Soda drinkers the latest target of the politicians

Talk about it

Thomas Jefferson: “That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.”

James Madison: “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.”

Barack Obama, concerning more tax on soda pop: “I actually think it’s an idea that we should be exploring. There’s no doubt that our kids drink way too much soda.”

Have you noticed all the caring politicians ready to save you from yourself? Al Gore (who grew it — but probably never inhaled) preached against tobacco. Arianna Huffington, against SUVs (and those who use as much energy as she does). And the anti- trans-fat minions. Now it’s soda pop, which San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom calls “the new tobacco.”

Yes, the “sin tax” crowd is at it again, preaching health and seeing wealth — the ones who worked to make restaurant chains disclose calorie counts of meals. (How else could you know a double-fried cherry pie has more calories than a soy burger/ bean-sprout wrap?)

Newsom wants approval from the Board of Supervisors to put a fee on retailers of sugary drinks. By going to that board, he can bypass a vote of the people. (And it’s the same board that passed a resolution condemning a rally by a Christian youth group and banned Boy Scouts from using public schools.)

Politicians favor these taxes for one reason: more revenue. Soda drinkers are simply another easy target.

Which is worse — muggers with knives or government thieves disguised as our benefactors?

Duane B. Stahl

Valley City, N.D.

Tags: opinion, letters, tax, obama, soda, pop