Hard to stomach? Parents of obese children should lose tax breaks, claims senator

[ktlight]

Obesity levels have risen sharply in the past 20 years in the U.S. and one Illinois lawmaker thinks he has the solution – force parents of chunky children to lose their tax breaks.

One in four people in a staggering 33 states are obese and State Senator Shane Cultra says that hitting people in their pockets is the way to slim-down the country.

‘It’s the parents responsibility that have obese kids,’ he said yesterday. ‘Take the tax deduction away for parents that have obese kids.’

Were a ‘sin’ tax to be introduced in Illinois, it would mean parents being denied a $2000-a-year tax break.


According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), obesity in Illinois lies at a gut-wrenching 26.5 per cent, but it’s by no means the fattest state. There are 24 states with chubbier citizens. Mississippi is the worst offender, with 34.4 per cent of its population considered officially obese.

The place you’re most likely to see a flat stomach in the US is in Colorado, which has an obesity rate of 18.6 per cent.


Slim hopes: Senator Shane Cultra proposed a 'fat tax'

In comparison, the European Union has an obesity rate of just 15.5 per cent, with the UK’s at 24.5 per cent, the worst in the league.

Other measures being considered in Illinois to tackle the state’s bulging waistlines include taxing sugary drinks more heavily. But with 40,000 Illinoisans working in the industry, some lawmakers are wary of punishing its finances too harshly.

Tim Bramlet, executive director of the Illinois Beverage Association, told stltoday.com: ‘We just think the beverage tax is actually the wrong way to go, and won't help the problem.’

However, Elissa Bassler, CEO of the state's Public Health, pointed out that money to tackle obesity must come from somewhere, because the already huge medical costs associated with the problem are only set to rise.

source
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1385887/Parents-obese-children-lose-tax-breaks-says-Senator-Shane-Cultra.html#ixzz1M3h9TVo5

[GK76]

I guess the next chapter in this story will be about malnourished children. To become obese the kids are clearly not eating the right foods or getting enough exercise, given that fact, the parents are not educated enough on their kid's well-being - how can they be trusted to make necessary adjustments? Financially punishing parents will just lead them to buying cheaper food, which as we know is usually the mass produced, processed rubbish. I guess this all leads to the inevitable... added fear and money troubles to many, also the risk of social services taking kids from parents. Is this their hidden agenda?

[Flash]

I can foresee parents being agressive towards their children, rejecting them, accusing them, or overwatch them, creating emotional problems way above what the kids already have in terms of emothional problems. What does an obese do when emotionally attacked, he eats.

Having good, non omg, no pesticide food with all its originial nutrients would probably solve 2/3 of obesity problems. This kind of food, most people can't afford it anylonger. Cutting tv and computer would be the other round. HAving parents emotionally present (not too overstressed with lost home or jobs) would be a third round.

Disctriminating against obese, mostly obese children, or against autistic children or against physically handicap is absolutely insane.

Certainly an anti-love and anti-help movement. The moral police that has no moral.

[777]

You have to hand it to them, genius.

Mass produce fat laden crap, market it at the kids so parents are guilt tripped into keeping up with the Jones', then further financially punish the parents for being so negligent and allowing their entire family to be obese and poor.

Clever. Evil.......but clever.

[Flash]

By the way, Europe is less fat because:

Growth hormone is forbidden in their animals and is not in the food chain for human to consume
OMG is still forbidden - but Monsanto had its way, now Europe will grow fat, you will see.
Pesticides are much more controlled than in America
Parents have much more vacation time and can have more time with their families (I mean much more, American can't imagine how much more and the impact on the family)

When Europeans migrate here, not changing their food habits (same food eaten as in Europe) they easily take 20 pounds (8 kilos) within 5 years. Why is that, ones wonders!

Attacking children is not the way. For love sake.

[EsmaEverheart]

I cringe a little every time I think of a Nanny State. I just don't like the idea of Government intruding into my life. Having said that though, I think the biggest problem in childhood obesity is that children don't play outside and get exercise like my generation did. The other thing is all the processed and fast food that people feed their children for convience. Most households have both parents working now and when the parents come home they are too tired to make fresh healthy meals. Its very sad, but its a part of the programming to keep us all enslaved.

[Flash]

I cringe a little every time I think of a Nanny State. I just don't like the idea of Government intruding into my life. Having said that though, I think the biggest problem in childhood obesity is that children don't play outside and get exercise like my generation did. The other thing is all the processed and fast food that people feed their children for convience. Most households have both parents working now and when the parents come home they are too tired to make fresh healthy meals. Its very sad, but its a part of the programming to keep us all enslaved.

Agreed but this is only part of the solution. How come when I go to Europe, I eat like a pig (food in France is delicious) and lose weight within 2 weeks (about 5 pounds) SYSTEMATICALLY. there is lots that is wrong with the food in America.