[QUOTE=jasong;288051][url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16822533[/url]

Wasn't sure if this belonged here, but I didn't want to bug people by starting a whole new thread.

I know it says bbc in the link, but the news is about a possible new sugar tax in the US. I'm thinking since corn syrup is worse for diabetes then sugar, maybe they oughtta look at raising the corn tax before they consider implementing a sugar tax. I mean the tax IS intended as a health benefit after all.

Might have misspoke about raising the corn tax, I know that corn gets lowered taxes, not sure if there's an actual corn-based tax. It's the main reason most sodas use corn syrup rather than sugar, at least in the US.[/QUOTE]I think the whole idea of taxing foods (no matter which is the latest demonic food of the week) is a mistaken policy. It is the lazy lifestyle that is the main cause of obesity (and the associated health problems). Picking on specific foods is the wrong solution; and probably not even a solution at all. A change of lifestyle is what is really needed, become more physically active, then you can eat whatever you please and still be healthy and happy. So what is required is to shut off the Playstation, sell the car, buy a bicycle and live happy. And don't tell me it is not possible because of whatever reason, it is possible as long as people are not lazy.

[URL="http://www.heraldextra.com/news/national/weird-news-more-than-enter-fishing-tourney-only-catch-made/article_7984c58e-4c56-11e1-9029-0019bb2963f4.html"]http://www.heraldextra.com/news/national/weird-news-more-than-enter-fishing-tourney-only-catch-made/article_7984c58e-4c56-11e1-9029-0019bb2963f4.html[/URL]

okay, I'm an idiot, the title should've been:

Shouldn't we tax corn first?

Remember to always trust computers, they are never wrong
 

[url]http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/supermarkets/sainsburys/teaspoon-is-drug-gear-sainsburys-tells-grocer-journo/225505.article[/url]

[QUOTE=retina;288257][url]http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/supermarkets/sainsburys/teaspoon-is-drug-gear-sainsburys-tells-grocer-journo/225505.article[/url][/QUOTE]

:surprised That's my local supermarket! Just a mile away.

[QUOTE=retina;288055]I think the whole idea of taxing foods (no matter which is the latest demonic food of the week) is a mistaken policy. It is the lazy lifestyle that is the main cause of obesity (and the associated health problems).[/QUOTE]

But people are lazy, is nature of humans; changing a taxation regime is unimaginably easier than changing human nature. And sin taxes on popular items are a wonderful source of government revenue, because in principle nobody's obliged to pay them but in practice many people do.

[QUOTE=fivemack;288274]But people are lazy, is nature of humans; changing a taxation regime is unimaginably easier than changing human nature. And sin taxes on popular items are a wonderful source of government revenue, because in principle nobody's obliged to pay them but in practice many people do.[/QUOTE]I'm all for governments taxing things to make money, but I am against them using the excuse of "solving health problems" as the reason for the tax. At the very least they could be honest about it and just say "We are now taxing sugar because ... erm ... because we can. We also tax alcohol and chocolate for the same reason, because we can."

Let's think this though:
Everyone is lazy and becomes obese so, ...
Tax sugar.
Use sugar tax money to advertise and encourage people to lead a more energetic lifestyle.
But without the sugary energy in our diets we have no fuel to do energetic things.
And thus we remain lethargic an lazy and become even more obese.

Yep, that'll work. :loco:

You want to upgrade the diet through taxes? From the 1950's book, "joy of cooking", which is STILL in my house:
"Whole, live food, freshly prepared, is best for you and your family"
The more processing that happens to the food, the more it should be taxed.

I don't know what to do about the laziness..I see an awful lot of non-diligent people around me, and others who are too scattered by their environment to do decent diligence. Can we outlaw laziness? (grin)

I think it is more important to add exercise.

There's those that are so afraid someone will kidnap their children that they give them a ride up the driveway to the school bus stop, or even all the way to school...and I drive everywhere, no alternative if I want to be there, wherever it is...home, work, shopping for groceries....so work on public transportation will make more of a difference. So would forbidding students in vehicles closer than 100 yards or so to schools.

[QUOTE=Christenson;288284]1950's book, "joy of cooking", [/QUOTE]

Oooohh, my mom has that and makes fairly regular use of it :smile: (I believe our turkey-chestnut-stuffing recipe is from that book.)

[QUOTE=Dubslow;288293]Oooohh, my mom has that and makes fairly regular use of it :smile: (I believe our turkey-chestnut-stuffing recipe is from that book.)[/QUOTE]We've a fairly recent edition and make moderately frequent use of it.

We're currently marinading some white fish fillets in lemon juice, cumin, paprika, garlic, tarragon, salt, pepper. When that's done (in practice, when we can't face waiting any longer because the recipe calls for at least 12 hours and preferably rather more) it will be poached in fish stock, minced fresh red chilli and chopped coriander leave. Eventually served with lightly fried red onion rings, boiled new potatoes and steamed green beans.

Washed down with a South African dry fizz.

Bon appetit!


Paul

Hmm. Perhaps a "recipes I've tried and recommend thread" may be a good idea. I could contribute a fair number --- most of which involve garlic and/or chilli.

Now here's something you don't see every day around here: [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-16889200[/url]

It's much more common at the same latitude where it doesn't have the benefit of the North Atlantic Drift.