Do you really believe fifty cents per 16 ounces will pay for health care “reform” [sic]? It won't.

Never mind the math, nor the many of us who don't drink soda at all now. What about those who will reduce their consumption once such a tax is enabled, or will cease completely? Proponents of taxes often are ignorant of what incentives will do to the revenues they optimistically project. (And no, the reduction or elimination of soda consumption by some Americans won't result in health care cost savings which will cover the revenue losses.)

Actually, doing more with the tax would be more honest (which is why the Dems probably won't do it).

The “premiums” that Medicare recipients pay amount to perhaps 25 per cent (about a quarter) of the actual costs; the rest comes out of general revenue. The entire cost of Medicare should be paid by a payroll or other kind of tax dedicated solely to this purpose. Of course, that means removing a means of concealment of costs and an impression that people get health care from Washington currently for “free” or next to nothing (and actually believe it!).

You know proposing tax on businesses and empolyees would promote a massive rebellion at the 11th hour against the Public Option!

You are clever though I'll hand you that.

Businesses are already too burdened and that's an issue for our unemployment numbers and our falling GNP, our financial lifeblood in the world community. Nope. This wont' do at all.

A tax on soda beverages will though. They have zero nutritional values and are a “luxury” “food” [and I am just kidding when I said "food"]. We have luxury taxes all around. And I forgot the numbers just now but I read once that a staggering amount of sodas are purchased every day in the US. It's just staggering. Right now I pay about $1.50 for a 16 oz soda in a plastic bottle. If I had to pay $2.00 I'd be happy to do so if I knew that money was going to provide healthcare for my brothers and sisters. In fact, this might be a selling point for BigSoda who now stands trembling in their shoes about the proposal.

I can see the ads now: “Drink Coke! Every one you buy keeps a child alive”. There's always a silver lining. And if it's across the board on sodas and sugar drinks, the soda industries don't have to worry about unfairness. It's not like the consumer will switch brands if all the drinks go up in price at the same time. And it certainly isn't like people will stop buying them either. I still like the occaisonal cola and probably always will..