Yes, that says $3.99 each.
Obesity in America is a national affliction, and we’ve had many arguments about the government dictating how many ounces of something we should consume and the taxes accompanying them. Items like soda, wines, liquor, snack foods, etc., have been the target of taxation for quite some time. One of the funniest conversations I’ve heard on the subject was on the CNN daily talk show called “Crossfire.” Tucker Carlson and James Carville. It had to do with the “Twinkie Tax.” Many people were calling for more tax on junk food. The conversation included a snippet where someone mentioned that the taxes would go towards educating the public on what makes a person unhealthy and overweight. Tucker Carlson wasn’t buying it, so he disclosed his daily exercise routine. He then said that it afforded him the right to have a few potato chips at a fair price. Then, he alluded to some resentment that he should have to pay extra because someone else was too stupid to realize that they would get fat if they ate the entire bag. But the laugh came when he said something to the effect of, “Why stop there? Just have everyone step on a scale on April 15, Tax day, and we can charge them per pound.” (note this quote is from memory. I can’t find the CNN transcript.) Sadly, we will be talking about taxes and food again because prices are soaring.
I reflect on the above conversation and cannot help but see the irony of the situation from 1998 to 2022. Food prices are skyrocketing, and we’re now collectively on a NATIONAL DIET! As for me, I can’t say I mind losing a few pounds, but I’d like it to be by choice. Not by soaring inflation stopping me from buying a Snicker’s bar. I’ve spoken with several supermarket staff members, and the response is heartbreaking. One woman told me she could only afford to eat once a day, and another said they could barely afford to get to work, let alone pay for food. Yet, these people are the very people that are looking for quick calories. The highly taxed snack foods and sugar. Anything to keep them going during long commutes, long hours, and low wages.
The Feds took a leap of faith in the American public two years ago and invested in our health and well-being, extra unemployment, and other social programs. I believe they were worth it because we couldn’t let people die in the streets during a pandemic. We also needed to control viral exposure until we had a vaccine and these programs enabled the nation to survive a horrible pandemic. This is what the government is designed to do. But we have to start getting serious about what we all can do about our current dilemma. I don’t have the answer, but I felt compelled to talk about it and share some photos I took at the supermarket today. Any suggestions? I’m listening.
