(UNEDITED)The state of Utah has finally taxed the smokers out of their tobacco products (to make them healthier). This was done to stop people from getting cancer of the lungs, throat, mouth, etc.. I say it is time to tackle a much bigger problem than the one of getting cancer from tobacco products; that of obesity! While we are at it, there needs to be a tax on soda pop; say 50 cents per each 16 oz. This would also make your teeth healthier by leading to less tooth decay from all that sugar. How about a tax on
candy also? We could make that a price equal to what each piece of candy already costs. We will cut down on the obesity problem, reduce our dental problems by not eating so much junk food, and it will reduce the problem we have with diabetics. How many times do we have to hear about someone crashing their car because they went into diabetic shock before we do something about it?
Less we forget, there also needs to be a huge tax on ice cream. I cannot believe all the fat people I see piling that stuff into their shopping cart right next to their diet coke and jello.
I propose that the state of Utah pass an alcohol tax of $1.00 per can/bottle of beer, $5.00 to $10.00 per bottle of wine (depending on the quality). Wines like Boone's Farm would be in the five dollar range while your Zinfandels, Chardonnay, etc. would be in
the higher end of the tax. Or we could make it even higher till they can't afford to drink anymore. It wouldn't be prohibition, because they could still buy it. And just think, the roads would be safer because there would be fewer drunks on them. Oh, wait a minute; we still have those people talking on their cell phones who are a danger to everyone else. Let's put a higher tax on them also. I know there are many other things we could tax, but I wanted to just put out a short list and the benefits obtained from them. So legislators take heed; make Utah State a safer place through taxation or you might be on the way out. I still have a few pennies you haven't taken.
Steven Lewis Ames
Clinton
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