Tax the Fat

[Ms.Hijinx]

I cannot believe that this course of action has even been mentioned at government level, what next tax the anorexics, tax anyone who puts pressure on the nhs if they want to tax anyone tax the criminal classes and the junkies to aid the nhs ppl that actually do something illegal that needs a penalty especially as our prisons are alledgedly so full!!! Rant over

[Ladyboyg1]

I watched the programme last night , and it certainly made interesting viewing.although a large number of people wil no doubt find this disgraceful, the fact is that obese people DO place a large financial burden on the country, and it is possible that something along these lines may be enough to convince many to actually stop and think about their health ans the consequences of their lifestyle.

[Ladyboyg1]

"Martin Paterson, of the Food and Drink Federation, said a fat tax would hit lower income families who already spend a higher proportion of their income on food and drink.

He said: "Consumers will rightly feel patronised by "top-down" messages based on the idea that they can't think for themselves and need to be taxed into weight-loss.

"The idea that any particular food is bad for you is out of date and simplistic. A balanced diet can include snacks and treats - moderation is the key."

sadly this response is typical , statements stating that this will affect those on a poorer income is not strictly true,it is better education that is required ....and it IS true that a large proportion of the populace CANNOT think for themselves, unfortunately this is the society that we live in today....

[horsestache1]

I did'nt see the programme, but it does seem very stupid to me.

How are people meant to be assessed? Do we all have to visit our GP (at great cost) for a weight check? Whats Fat?

This couse of action would not necessarily reduce the burdon on the NHS, it would just stop larger people from visiting their GP earlier for fear of being told they are fat and must pay tax. Thus a lot of conditions that could be caught early (breast, testicular and skin cancer, to name just a few) would go undetected for longer actually causing more cost.

Stupid idea

[Ms.Hijinx]

what about the ppl who are obese cos of illness or those that choose to not be peer-pressured into the i want to be very thin group i have friends of all sizes who are happy with themselves why should their parade be rained upon, i have one who is double the weight she should be and she is fit as a fiddle and hasn't seen a doctor for 5 years i appreciate things could go wrong for her in years to come but when would she be taxed while she's healthy or only when she is using nhs

[Rock'n'Roll]

I agree with the last part of the original letter. If we need to help the NHS then make the people injured are have caused injury doing criminal activities pay for their treatment.

Perhaps if we gave youngsters more PT and sports at school instead of less,it would educate them into looking after their bodies more responsibily in adulthood

[Ladyboyg1]

But the whole point is that as a country we are becoming progressively obese through each generation, through poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.Being FAT is not healthy .
And a large number of people are not prepared to make the necessary changes for themsleves or for their children to combat this.
sometimes people need a push in the right direction, for their own good.

[Ladyboyg1]

Although i must admit , that I can't see how direct taxation would work.

[horsestache1]

Education is the push people need Ladyboy, not tax.

I repeat ,this could stop people from seeking advice early enough to PREVENT disease, thus leading to a more unhealthy population and more cost to us the taxpayer!

[Ladyboyg1]

I agree totally , and my earlier remarks state as much.however education is unlikely to be effective and maybe some kind of 'shock' treatment is needed for these people totake this more seriously, sadly as a nation we not willing to accept responsibilty for our own actions, it is far easier to shout and scream about how unfair it all is, and we should be making criminals pay etc......anything to deflect our thoughts away from the REAL problems related to our own actions.

[Mr Tall]

Ms.Hijinx

Are you on the heavy side, are you afraid this tax will cost you?.

[noxlumos]

Stupid idea, morally wrong, socially odious. The whole problem with people "not being able to think for themselves" ladyboyg1 is that this is exactly what is taught in school. The very last thing a Govt wants is a whole country full of people who can think for themselves, they want dense sheep who will follow the herd, hence the national curriclem to encourage kids at a very young age to be dependant upon the approval of others. From the cradle to the grave people are taught to rate themselevs and what they should think and feel upon the reaction of other people, usually authority figures ( teachers etc initially). You cannot then decry these people because they can't think for themselves, it's what they've been brainwashed into by their own Govt which now is seeing the problem in that if you create a very basic, badly educated class then unfortunately they won't be bright enough not to eat themselves to death. We need a change in the whole education system which bases education on PERSONAL responsibility ( not herd acceptance), then we get thinner people, less crime and a better society generally. Meanwhile, it's reprehensible to try to tax fat people or junkies imho, as they are both society's victims. Dismantling the NHS or amending it so only some are entitled is a real step back and one we have to avoid at all costs.

[horsestache1]

You simply cannon tax one section of society its moronic.

Tax fat, Tax Thin, Tax Gay's, Tax Drug Users, Tax Animal Owner (animals can cause allergies), Tax people who dont recycle etc etc.

Education may not work as well as we wish but its the best weapon we have at present.

[horsestache1]

Opp's cannot :)

[Ladyboyg1]

i agree with your viewpoint , we are ALL programmed to fulfill the role that the we have been assigned, and although it is intellectually frustrating to realise this, truth is that society would degenarate into chaos without it.
however the fact remains that this is an issue that won't go away and if proposals like this highlight this fact and actually generate constructive debate , rather than just ignore it then it can only be seen as a positive step.
However if this were about smokers being taxed or heavy drinkers then would it raise the same level of abjection, i may be wrong , but i dont believe it would.

[horsestache1]

Alcohol and Tobacco, are taxed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and heavily at that, and it does not work!!

[Ladyboyg1]

my apologies , my point was made with regard to direct taxation rather than indirect.

[PEATBOG]

i have just lost 3 stone in weight - will I get a rebate?

[Pippa68]

The government would be better off spending money on education, and doing something about the levels of uhealthy food on the supermarket shelves.

It is far cheaper to eat junk than to eat healthily. With both parents working full time it can be difficult to prepare a healthy meal for the family ~ heading for the junk as a quick fix is common practice and has reached alarming levels.

This needs to be fixed at source. Taxing people (yet again) in order to deter them will not work. The government has the attitude of 'hitting people where it hurts' all the time and I am sick of it. It is just another way of them pinching money, no doubt illegally.

What do you do when your child is naughty ~ give them a smack and hope they learn their lesson? I don't think so..communication & education is the key.

[horsestache1]

Well said Pippa