The Official Obama Scorecard Thread

[Pot Odds RAC 23]

It's taken you this long to figure that out?

I'm a pretty terrible trend spotter.

[El Guapo 8]

I'm a pretty terrible trend spotter.

Ipods are pretty popular these days with the kids.

[JubilantLankyLad 1,957]

Walkmans are pretty popular these days with the kids.

FYP

[dapokerbum 0]

If my choices were situations like controlling the amount of salt in restaurant food and disallowing toys in kids meals versus paying a tax like smokes or booze, I'll take the tax.Assuming those are our two choices. I'd also be a fan of leaving me the fuck alone to enjoy whatever habits I want.

Well we've tried that and it seems that all we have is an obesity and diabetes problem. I would love for people to be able to do whatever they want to do, as long as they agree to take personal responsibility for those choices. The problem is we want the cake and we want to eat it too (damn fatties) so the only way to encourage or discourage people against anything seems to be a tax. If you want to smoke, you pay huge taxes. What's 5 cents extra for a coke? The problem as I see it is this new money won't be used for it's intended purpose and with any tax it will just keep getting more and more as the bureaucracies are built up around this.

[strategy 4]

Well we've tried that and it seems that all we have is an obesity and diabetes problem. I would love for people to be able to do whatever they want to do, as long as they agree to take personal responsibility for those choices. The problem is we want the cake and we want to eat it too (damn fatties) so the only way to encourage or discourage people against anything seems to be a tax. If you want to smoke, you pay huge taxes. What's 5 cents extra for a coke? The problem as I see it is this new money won't be used for it's intended purpose and with any tax it will just keep getting more and more as the bureaucracies are built up around this.

the first part, absolutely agree. it's a major problem I see in so many places: we lack the stomach to say 'no' when large numbers of people make decisions to their own detriment and need help.this second part, it's not as if we can't legislate to avoid that. accounting at the state level is rather strict and can require a LOT of politicking to get money from pool A to pool B. this is why you have budget stand-offs and everything else. I don't see why we couldn't do such a thing at the federal level with the fat taxes.all of this is hypothetical. I don't know where I stand on this one and I'm a little annoyed that it keeps getting brought up. screw you people for trying to make me learn stuff.

[brvheart 1,755]

No, we are not legislating anything. Nobody is talking about banning soda. We are discussing small incentives to encourage good health because our poor health as a country is a MAJOR contributor to our exploding health care costs. The easiest way to lower health care costs would be if we were not so ****ing fat. What's mind boggling is the proposition that a fat person should not have to contribute more to health care than a skinny person.

They already DO pay more. Insurance companies determine what someone will pay based on many factors, including weight, which is a free market solution, not more government control of my life. I seriously can not unders... I.... ****.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

My mind is boggled right now. I can't believe that you guys are trying to legislate my personal choices and responsibility and it isn't being laughed at.

My mind is blown that your mind is blown at the idea of adding extra tax to things the government doesn't like. It already does this all the time, so if this were they type of thing to blow your mind, your mind should have been blown several decades ago and you should have recovered already from the blowing of your mind so that you're at a state where your mind is less susceptible to being blown by such taxes.For instance, cigarette taxes, etc.I haven't used the word "blown" so much since I wrote that letter to penthouse.

[brvheart 1,755]

My mind is blown that your mind is blown at the idea of adding extra tax to things the government doesn't like. It already does this all the time, so if this were they type of thing to blow your mind, your mind should have been blown several decades ago and you should have recovered already from the blowing of your mind so that you're at a state where your mind is less susceptible to being blown by such taxes.For instance, cigarette taxes, etc.I haven't used the word "blown" so much since I wrote that letter to penthouse.

The mind blowing comes from the fact that anyone actually supports the federal government getting involved. The majority of cigarette taxes come from the states, (I think the current fed tax is $1 or so, and some states are more than $3 per pack) and if you don't like them you can just move to Missouri or vote in new representatives. If my state votes to tax certain foods, then I can decide to move to another, cheaper, state. If the federal government gets its incredibly inefficient hands on the tax money, then the far majority of it will be wasted, and I will have no way to escape.I think the federal tax rate on cigarettes should be zero.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

The mind blowing comes from the fact that anyone actually supports the federal government getting involved. The majority of cigarette taxes come from the states, (I think the current fed tax is $1 or so, and some states are more than $3 per pack) and if you don't like them you can just move to Missouri or vote in new representatives. If my state votes to tax certain foods, then I can decide to move to another, cheaper, state. If the federal government gets its incredibly inefficient hands on the tax money, then the far majority of it will be wasted, and I will have no way to escape.I think the federal tax rate on cigarettes should be zero.

Ah, okay, it's a Fed vs State issue. Yes, I agree, such taxes should be local. We're on the same page.

[Jeepster80125 0]

The mind blowing comes from the fact that anyone actually supports the federal government getting involved. The majority of cigarette taxes come from the states, (I think the current fed tax is $1 or so, and some states are more than $3 per pack) and if you don't like them you can just move to Missouri or vote in new representatives. If my state votes to tax certain foods, then I can decide to move to another, cheaper, state. If the federal government gets its incredibly inefficient hands on the tax money, then the far majority of it will be wasted, and I will have no way to escape.I think the federal tax rate on cigarettes should be zero.

I agree, and those tax revenues should stay in state as well. I play the lottery/stupid tax in my state, because half of the proceeds go to our state's parks and wildlife.

[JoeyJoJo 18]

I play the lottery/stupid tax in my state, because half of the proceeds go to our state's parks and wildlife.

You could just donate money to them. Then they'd get all of the proceeds.

[Jeepster80125 0]

You could just donate money to them. Then they'd get all of the proceeds.

But that's no fun. I'm such an action junkie that I'll get scratch tickets to play in between hands. There's a game called crossword that you can actually spend ten minutes on. Really make that $3 worth it.

[dapokerbum 0]

They already DO pay more. Insurance companies determine what someone will pay based on many factors, including weight, which is a free market solution, not more government control of my life. I seriously can not unders... I.... ****.

I'm not realy sure it's more control per se, we are just looking for a solution that encourages people to be healthy. Is that so wrong? Can you honeslty look around at any given place and see all the fat people out there, kids included, and just shrug your shoulders and say oh well at least we have our free choices available. I can't and it makes me sick to my stomach knowing that if these people could just take some time and eat a balanced meal and exercise a little they could walk from their car to the store without losing their breath. I'm not saying that government should completely step in and tell you what to eat, I'm merely saying that there should be an incentive for people to eat well. Right now you can eat a double cheeseburger for $1, but try to spend that same amount on fresh fruits and vegetables and it doens't go quite as far.So I would say that if we "fat tax" the double cheeseburger and then take that money to credit the fruits and vegetables or healthy food then I don't see what the big deal is.

[hblask 1]

So I would say that if we "fat tax" the double cheeseburger and then take that money to credit the fruits and vegetables or healthy food then I don't see what the big deal is.

Because if the nanny-statists would remove the red tape from health insurance, then it would be none of your business if I want to be a fat-ass. You cannot justify more ridiculous intrusions into my choices due to previous ridiculous intrusions into my choices.

[strategy 4]

cane, what the fuck is your problem with white bread?

[CaneBrain 95]

cane, what the fuck is your problem with white bread?

It's just so much worse for you than wheat bread, stunningly so. I'm thinking of foods that are very unhealthy that have clear, easy to find alternatives.I don't really have a problem with white bread.

[El Guapo 8]

I don't really have a problem with white bread.

That is evident.

[brvheart 1,755]

I'm not realy sure it's more control per se, we are just looking for a solution that encourages people to be healthy. Is that so wrong? Can you honeslty look around at any given place and see all the fat people out there, kids included, and just shrug your shoulders and say oh well at least we have our free choices available. I can't and it makes me sick to my stomach knowing that if these people could just take some time and eat a balanced meal and exercise a little they could walk from their car to the store without losing their breath. I'm not saying that government should completely step in and tell you what to eat, I'm merely saying that there should be an incentive for people to eat well. Right now you can eat a double cheeseburger for $1, but try to spend that same amount on fresh fruits and vegetables and it doens't go quite as far.So I would say that if we "fat tax" the double cheeseburger and then take that money to credit the fruits and vegetables or healthy food then I don't see what the big deal is.

Oh my goodness... no. I don't care if you think that people are eating unhealthy. It's not your life. They already have to pay WAY more than you for health insurance (or their companies do). MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You have no right to legislate my decisions.

[LongLiveYorke 38]

Oh my goodness... no. I don't care if you think that people are eating unhealthy. It's not your life. They already have to pay WAY more than you for health insurance (or their companies do). MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You have no right to legislate my decisions.

To be clear, you're for pot legalization, right?#include "Yorke.h"using namespace Yorke;using namespace BHeart;Yorke::DidHeadAssplode YorkeReaction( BHeart::Answer answer) {if(answer == BHeart::ForLegalization) {return Yorke::NotHeadAssplode;}else if(answer == BHeart::AgainstLegalization) {return Yorke::HeadAssplode;}else {return Yorke::Whatever;}}

[brvheart 1,755]

To be clear, you're for pot legalization, right?

I'm not 'for' pot legalization. I'm for each individual state deciding almost everything for themselves. If CA wants gay marriage, they should be able to vote for it and pay for it themselves. If Alaska wants free pot for all citizens then they should be able to vote for that and pay for it, without the federal government withholding infrastructure dollars.

[akoff 0]

Oh my goodness... no. I don't care if you think that people are eating unhealthy. It's not your life. They already have to pay WAY more than you for health insurance (or their companies do). MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You have no right to legislate my decisions.

This is what our country and peple have become. Everyone knows what is best for others...and our governemnt is the worst at it. Both parties are bad but as always the Democrats are worse.

[CaneBrain 95]

Oh my goodness... no. I don't care if you think that people are eating unhealthy. It's not your life. They already have to pay WAY more than you for health insurance (or their companies do). MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You have no right to legislate my decisions.

Well, I don't care that you don't care if people are eating unhealthy. It is my business since they DON'T necessarily have to pay more for health insurance. It is also NOT legislating your decisions. Nobody is threatening to outlaw junk food. That is legislating. Taxing something unhealthy is incentivizing and we do it already on a number of items. This is not even new ground.

This is what our country and peple have become. Everyone knows what is best for others...and our governemnt is the worst at it. Both parties are bad but as always the Democrats are worse.

Frankly, there are a few areas where some people really do know what is best for others and the others seem determined to screw it up for all of us. A good example would be the insane anti-vaccination movement.

[Jeepster80125 0]

Frankly, there are a few areas where some people really do know what is best for others and the others seem determined to screw it up for all of us. A good example would be the insane anti-vaccination movement.

This is the problem. If someone wants to believe a ****ing porn star, not get their kid vaccines, and the kid gets sick, that's on them, not me. Where do you draw the line with 'few areas'? How about all of the people taking advantage of welfare and unemployment? Why not start there? I agree with your sin tax, but this whole liberal notion of you making my decisions is just so baffling to me. Would you want BG making your life decisions?

[CaneBrain 95]

This is the problem. If someone wants to believe a ****ing porn star, not get their kid vaccines, and the kid gets sick, that's on them, not me. Where do you draw the line with 'few areas'? How about all of the people taking advantage of welfare and unemployment? Why not start there? I agree with your sin tax, but this whole liberal notion of you making my decisions is just so baffling to me. Would you want BG making your life decisions?

It's not "me" making decisions; it is the collective wisdom of our nation's doctors. You want to control health care costs? We need to get healthier. That's the best way. Nobody said this has to extend past health issues. It never really has. Right now, taxes disincentivize cigarettes and booze. Extend that to junk food. That's it.Umemployment insurance is something you pay into when you work; it is not a hand-out.

[dapokerbum 0]

Oh my goodness... no. I don't care if you think that people are eating unhealthy. It's not your life. They already have to pay WAY more than you for health insurance (or their companies do). MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You have no right to legislate my decisions.

It is my belief that most fat people don't want to be fat. You can see this in the way that dieting is such a huge fad amongst the populace. So if we find a way to disincentivize people from unhealthy food and incentivize them with healthy food then we are killing two birds with one stone. As cane said we are not outlawing junk food or anything we are merely trying to make it so it is easier and better to get healthy food. I personally don't care if someone wants to eat cake every meal and be a fat ass, just don't expect me to pony up the dough (hehe get it cause cake is made from dough ... nvm) for your triple bypass surgery or pay for your diabetes medicine. I believe strongly in personal choice but with that HAS to be personal responsibility or else it makes no sense.

I'm not 'for' pot legalization. I'm for each individual state deciding almost everything for themselves. If CA wants gay marriage, they should be able to vote for it and pay for it themselves. If Alaska wants free pot for all citizens then they should be able to vote for that and pay for it, without the federal government withholding infrastructure dollars.

So if a state added a "fat tax" you would be okay with this ... just as long as the federal government has nothing to do with it.