soft drink tax "in these difficult economic times" - Stop buying soft drinks. It is nothing but sugar water, bad for your children's health, and a waste of your food dollars.

This logic always seems to work until it hits your own pocket and your own desires. Anything else bad we should be punished for, or do you really think they're just going to stop at "soda"?

in almost every school district in california and other states.

the idea that "they're coming for you next" is a little silly but then like the crazies at the tea party's some conspiracy theories are just too juicy to ignore.

Of course they're coming for things you like next. Do you know how many people like soda?

Pretty much the same with the folks that equate late term abortion restrictions with a rush to buy stock in companies that make coat hangers....

No one is saying you can't continue to buy soda for your kids, just that it will cost your more to help offset the medical costs when you take your kids in for dental work. Just like tobacco, it is still being sold and consumed even though the price is almost $5 a pack, compared to the $1 a pack I was paying back in 1995 when I quit.

A tax that "offsets medical costs" at the dentist's office? What are you talking about? I pay the tax and I pay for the dentist. I guess next you'll be advocating a "reading" tax to phantomly "offset medical costs" at the eye doctor?

What taxes are you willing to pay without complaint?

Actually a very good question. I think for most people it would be an amount that corresponds roughly to what they feel they are getting from government and what they want government to accomplish.

People that feel they don't use or want many services (say a married with no kids couple in their 40's with no health issues who both work in the private sector), probably feel they get ripped off right now. People who use a lot of services and/or pay little or nothing (pretty much everyone who is EIC eligible) probably feel a little better about taxation in general, but they may not grasp the full extent of the other taxes they might be paying.

Personal motivation would also play a big role. If you are materialistic you probably dislike taxes a whole lot more than if you are alturistic. Same thing on education level-if you worked hard to get a degree that earns you a big income you probably resent paying taxes to support folks who goofed off and earn only minimum wage or for folks who chose to go into a profession that pays squat.

To the actress "mother" worried about the effect of a by goisles 10/28/2009, 11:56 PM # Favorites Reply What taxes are you willing to pay without complaint?

I take it you're for my proposed reading tax, then? Books (that includes textbooks), magazines, pamphlets, newspapers. Excessive reading is believed to correspond with nearsightedness, which costs money. I'll come up with some more taxes for you, too. Let's see how long it is before you "complain", you benevolent creature, you.

So your for cheap soda and against excessive reading, didn't answer my question.... believes nearsightedness comes from excessive reading.... Are you Sarah Palin?

BTW... I am near sighted which is why I take my glasses off when I read. Cut down on your headaches Libby, make those tinfoil hats a little looser.