Article #2: Taxing Drinks

An editorial from the New York Times titled, A Healthy Tax, published on page A26 on June 3, 2009 argues the benefits of increasing taxes on sodas and any sugared liquids in order to reduce the level of obesity in America. In this article, the author claims that if the government does increase taxes on sodas, then less people will buy the drinks due to its high cost. The author uses Michael Jacobson, who is an executive director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest to support his claim that increase in tax for drinks will decrease in consumptions, and resulting in a decrease in calories. The author also provides readers with evidence stating that Americans spend about $50 billion per year on nondiet sodas, sugared teas, and sport drinks. Clearly from this evidence, it is obvious that sodas do have a connection with obesity in this country.

After reading this article, the author's intended audience is everyone in America for different reasons. First, the author wants to direct the purpose of the article towards the government to raise their awareness that the majority of Americans are obese, and this means that the nation must do something. Second, the author aims toward more general readers, who are advocates for increasing the quality of people's health. Therefore, the author incorporates information that can suit the readers of all kind in order for them to agree that an excise tax on drinks is the best answer for reduction in obesity. Because the author is able to provide various evidences about placing taxes on drinks, this draws attention from the two kinds of audiences and at the same time raise his credibility.

From my own perspective, I agree with the author to reduce the level of obesity in America and promote healthier lifestyles. It is shocking to know that Americans would spend such a great sum of money on sugared drinks, especially during an economic situation that's occurring right now. At the same time, I disagree with how the author recommends that increase in tax is the correct solution to the health care problem in America. It may make sense that increase in taxes can reduce in levels of consumptions, but will it last in the long run? Increase in taxes on drinks can result in many negative impacts for our economy as well, including the employment level for beverage industries and the impact for low-income families. Not only that, I think that sodas are not the prime cause for people's obesity, but their lack of exercise and effort to eat healthier foods. Therefore, reducing the obesity level is a must, but at the same time it must be the people's willingness to watch their diets in order to maintain healthier lives.