San Francisco Says 'I'd Like to Give the World a Soda Tax'

Back in 1971, before common grocery store food became weaponized, the Coke company dropped a racially-balanced group of smiling people on a hilltop and had them sing a jingle.

The refrain went: “I'd like to buy the world a Coke, and keep it company.”

Now politicians are singing their own tune, which goes something like this: “I’d like to give the world a tax, and keep the new money.”

Which is exactly what happened this month in San Francisco.

There, voters were persuaded to pass a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. By a vote of 62 to 38 percent, SF voters added a tax of one cent per ounce to Cokes and other sweetened beverages. Now a Big Gulp will be taking in more than liquid at the checkout stand.

These taxes are what I call “good for you taxes.” Thoughtful, considerate politicians who feel the pain of your bulging waistline just want to do what’s good for you. They believe drinking less sugar is one of those health benefits everyone should be pursuing and the fact that it gives them more money to spend is just a happy byproduct.

These levies were formerly called “sin taxes” but since no one in San Francisco, of all places, believes in sin I suppose that there a better term would be lifestyle tax.

The theory is raising the price on soda will result in lowered demand for the product. This idea is another interesting insight into the leftist mind. They agree that raising the price of a beverage will reduce the volume of sales to shoppers. It’s simple supply and demand.

But they can’t apply the same reasoning to their pet project of a $15-per-hour minimum wage. Somehow raising that price is immune to supply and demand.

Anyway, “for your own good” and “for your health” thinking is behind this tax and has been the impetus behind tobacco taxes. That’s why a carton of smokes is over $50 in California. I’ve even heard rumors that people are swapping Oxycontin for Marlboros in Walmart parking lots.

That stands to reason, since a parking lot is about the only place people are allowed to smoke these days. No word if forcing Coke drinkers outside is the next step in San Francisco if the tax doesn’t work out. And no word on if the money will be refunded should the theory fail.

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Reagan, is a Newsmax TV analyst. A syndicated columnist and author, he chairs The Reagan Legacy Foundation. Michael is an in-demand speaker with Premiere speaker’s bureau. Read more reports from Michael Reagan — Go Here Now.