Do you think the US should tax junk food and sugary drinks to combat obesity?

So I was reading this article:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...rinks-exercise

and I think its a good idea because obesity related diseases costs the US billions every year ( 147 billion according to the CDC*). Why not use the money raised to offset some of those costs? But considering the lobbying power of the food industry, it will never happen here in the US.

*http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/re...AG/obesity.htm

The country would lose its shit like they did when Twinkies stopped being produced. The priorities are messed up here.

The industry is much too large for that to happen. Lobbyists and interest groups would convene from every crook and crevasse in the US to prevent it.

I say let whales be whales. But give tax breaks to those who are in shape

I think health insurance subsidy should be less for those with BMI above 30 and body fat percentage above 35%.

Absolutely YES. The only food items that should be non-taxable are items such as Bread, Eggs, Milk, Vegetables, Meat, Frozen Vegetables, Canned Foods etc. All hot foods, prepared foods, candy, soda should be taxable.

You really think food companies, pharmaceutical companies, and god knows how many other companies involved, care about your health? Its all about the money here. Your health has always and will always be last.

Sigh. No. Taxing something doesn't get rid of it. It didn't work for alcohol or cannabis, and it wouldn't work for sugary food. Even taxation of cigarettes hasn't done much; anyone here who is a smoker or has a smoker friend should know all too well how people simply smuggle in cheaper cigarettes from abroad if the taxes get too high.

Ideally health insurance companies would offer discounts to healthier customers, but you know... Obamacare has effectively removed what market forces remained in the US healthcare sector.

instead of taxing it, they should make it mandatory that restaurants give smaller portions of things. Even our smaller drinks from fast food places are huge compared to other countries. It all starts from the core from each one of us.

Troll??? not gona happen!! American love big stuff.