Pound for pound, it's a bad idea

Opinion

Related Photos

Discussion

July 4, 2009

Dwain Walden The Moultrie Observer Sat Jul 04, 2009, 10:49 PM EDT

Routinely we hear about the obesity problem in America. Much commentary has been offered on the subject, but today I received a suggestion from the Heartland Institute which was a new twist on the subject.

Steve Stanek says that obese people should be taxed directly as oppoed to tax sugar-ladened foods like soft drinks. At first, I couldn’t really tell if this was tongue’n cheek commentary because he sounded pretty upset. He says an occasional Royal Crown Cola (160 calories) does not cause him to gain weight, and he likens taxes on obesity producing foods for everyone to regulations against the possession of a firearm by a responsible, law abiding person.

Then I realized he had to be a bit facetious. The primary reason is that too many factors would be involved in a fat tax. Would we have fat police patrols? How would obesity be measured?

One time when I went for a physical, a nurse told me I was significantly overweight. I weigh 205 pounds and I’m just a smidgen under five feet, 10 inches tall. Her chart said I should weight about 165 pounds. And once upon a time I did. I was in the 10th grade.

Charts don’t take into account body structure. I work out in the gym regularly. I can still jog three miles without calling my wife to come get me. (I do carry my cell phone, however, just in case.) Because of my workout routine, I probably have more muscle mass than many men my age. So if I was taxed on weight, would I get a credit for muscle mass versus fat mass?

And yes, I’m being a bit facetious just responding to such an idea of a fat tax. But, I’m a columnist and space must be filled.

Obviously, we cannot put a direct tax on the obese. It would be ruled unconstitutional under the provision of “life, liberty and the pursuit of French fries.” Just kidding. And it would be insensitive to many.

But we can promote physical fitness and health education in general. I see a lot of people at the gym pursuing better health. I think the education part is gaining momentum.

And some companies are offering health insurance incentives to those who don’t smoke and who join fitness programs.

And I’m not saying that Mr. Stanek’s commentary is without socially redeeming value. In fact, it’s a monologue on a very serious problem. And it can lead to discussion, information exchange and quite possibly some resolve to pursue better health.

The bottom line is, I don’t support directly taxing obesity. I do realize that health care and the associated costs are a major problem.

But like so many others, I don’t know all that must be done. It’s kind of like trying to nail Jello to the wall or asking, how long is a piece of string?

I have learned something along the way though that I stand by as absolute: dieting without exercise is a waste of time. It’s a tandem like freedoms and responsibilities.

One more conclusion: For exercise to work, it has to involve some amount of discomfort. No pain, no gain. Or to be more specific with my own phrasing, “if it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t work.”

(Dwain Walden is editor/publisher of The Moultrie Observer, 985-4545. E-mail: dwain.walden@gaflnews.com)

Text Only

Opinion

More data on the Battle of the Bulge
May 9, 2012 1 Photo
We better wake up
Dear editor:
Have our GOP representatives gone to sleep or are they refusing to act for the people they are supposed to represent? The Obama administration has contracted a Spanish company called SCYTAL, to tabulate the 2012 November presidential election.

May 25, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/26/12
May 25, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/25/12
May 24, 2012
May God bless my Uncle Henry
My uncle once noted on his return from a fishing trip that he caught so many fish he couldn’t put them all in one pile.
That’s how I feel trying to keep up with all the causes and organizations that either require support groups or else they comprise support groups.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
A kind humanity
Dear editor:
Humanity. One word. That word can translate into many other words. Some would say humanity is dark, greedy and bent on world domination. Others may say humanity is sweet, kind and caring. I myself witnessed a small part of a loving, caring humanity the other day.

May 23, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/24/12
May 23, 2012
Why it's a bad tax
Dear editor:
In regards to the Transportation TSplost Tax: The statement, “Economic development suffers if we don’t pass this tax” is not a valid statement, because Georgia has always been behind the 8 ball in regards to transportation, but yet look at the growth we have experienced; being behind in transportation didn't hinder economic growth. Georgia now ranks 11th in the country as of 2010 and this occurred mostly since 1995. The economic vitality of Georgia is alive and well considering the slump the country is in.

May 22, 2012
Rant and Rave for 5/23/12
May 22, 2012
I am saddened
Dear editor:
A couple of weeks ago, I attended Field Day at Sunset Elementary where my oldest daughter attends the Pre-K program. I was deeply saddened to hear that Mrs. Vicky Watson will be retiring this year.

May 21, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

If the vote were held today, would you support the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax?

Opinion

Search Results

Related Photos

Discussion

Pound for pound, it's a bad idea

If the vote were held today, would you support the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax?

Site Map

Contact Us