Obesity Tax on Soda – whoa, Gov, not so fast!

I don’t drink soda of any kind anymore on a regular basis, as any regular reader knows. So, (NY) Governer Patterson’s proposed Obesity Tax on soft drinks is neither here nor there to me, really. But that doesn’t stop me from thinking it’s RIDONKULOUS!

As if diet soda is somehow “healthy” for us! Back when I drank soda, I had a diet coke every day with my lunch for a bit. This actually only lasted a few months before the effect on my system was negative and obvious. Diet soda is filled with sodium, caffeine (in some), and artificial sweeteners that will do god-knows-what to us in the end.  Why, an article as recent as last February claims diet soda can CAUSE weight gain!

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/Story?id=4271246&page=1

If you’re going to do this, tax all sodas and all sweets. Don’t be hypocritical. And don’t put us in danger by sending the wrong health message! But actually, don’t get me wrong, I think the people of this state are taxed enough as it is and I am not in favor of any kind of “obesity tax.”

I am prepared to sacrifice as needed to help get back on track, but let’s make some sense! There’s even more ridiculousness in his proposal:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=6478199

A tax on Ipod downloads? Like it’s not a slippery slope back to Limewire, my friends. “Higher taxes on gas, taxi rides, cable and satellite TV service, cigars, beer, movie and sports tickets, and health spa visits.” Yes, LET’S JUST SUCK THE LIFE OUT OF ANY FUN WE MIGHT HAVE LEFT IN OUR LIVES. That sounds like a *great* idea!

So, you’ve got to be kidding me. I get so sick of New York State sometimes. What’s next? A tax on those who have hair? On those who like sunsets? Why not tax my cat for existing? I know we’re in trouble financially here, but there’s gotta be a better way than burdening us taxpayers even more.

Sarah Palin Debate Flow Chart

I know this is so last week, but it really brings the LOLs!

Taken from The Huffington Post.

Crazy Bummer

Tim Russert has died.

As someone said on another blog, he was a “criminally underrated” journalist. His sense of fairness in discussions and debates was notable and honorable. He was my favorite political debate moderator. I can’t believe I even had a favorite political debate moderator!

I know it’s stupid because I of course don’t really know him, but it’s making me very sad. Maybe it’s because he has died very suddenly at age 58, which is what happened to my own father two short years ago. In fact, CNN is reporting a heart attack, but MSNBC is not commenting on cause of death yet, only saying he collapsed and they could not revive him. This sounds so much like my Dad, who died of a pulmonary embolism. Two, actually. Mr. Russert had just flown a great distance, which is often a cause of blood clots and, consequentially, embolisms. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out this is the actual cause for him.

Whatever the cause, death at such a young age is always so senseless. I feel for his wife and son, bless their hearts. I will miss Tim Russert on the today show, and this fall on election day. I can’t imagine anyone else being so good at explaining politics and elections to the common citizen. 

For the public, Tim Russert was to politics what Carl Sagan was to science.