Philly Admits Soda Tax Is Crushing Local Small Businesses, Expanding "Food Deserts"

[UsualName]

Revenue from sales tax from in-city-limit groceries is falling; the same amount of soda is being consumed - it is simply be purchased at stores outside the city limits.

The tax has backfired. It is neither making residents healthier nor increasing the funds for services.

You’re telling me Philadelphians are traveling to outside of the city just to get a Dr. Pepper?

Come on, man.

 

[UsualName]

Here’s my thinking on this: why does anyone who lives outside of Philadelphia care?

Here’s a city that wants improve the heath of its residents in order to pay for early childhood education. Ok, totally within their rights and if it works it’s less cost to the federal government for Medicaid and Medicare.

How can someone be a right winger and be against a local government trying to solve its own problems? I thought this was what you guys want. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, so what? It’s their right to govern themselves.

 

[gwb-trading]

Here’s my thinking on this: why does anyone who lives outside of Philadelphia care?

Here’s a city that wants improve the heath of its residents in order to pay for early childhood education. Ok, totally within their rights and if it works it’s less cost to the federal government for Medicaid and Medicare.

How can someone be a right winger and be against a local government trying to solve its own problems? I thought this was what you guys want. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, so what? It’s their right to govern themselves.

Actually conservatives are against taxes that serve no public good or meaning purpose in terms of providing service.

 

[UsualName]

Actually conservatives are against taxes that serve no public good or meaning purpose in terms of providing service.

Yeah, but unless you live in Philadelphia what gives you the right to say whether or not it serves a public good. Philadelphians will review and determine that for themselves by way of elections.

 

[Tom B]

Here’s my thinking on this: why does anyone who lives outside of Philadelphia care?

Here’s a city that wants improve the heath of its residents in order to pay for early childhood education. Ok, totally within their rights and if it works it’s less cost to the federal government for Medicaid and Medicare.

How can someone be a right winger and be against a local government trying to solve its own problems? I thought this was what you guys want. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, so what? It’s their right to govern themselves.

So discussing public policy in a politics forum is out of bounds unless you live in the right zip code?

 

[Cuddles]

Yeah, but unless you live in Philadelphia what gives you the right to say whether or not it serves a public good. Philadelphians will review and determine that for themselves by way of elections.

They're against cities imposing restrictions on a free market, unless it involves direct sales from Tesla bypassing the dealership model.

 

[MoneyMatthew]

You’re telling me Philadelphians are traveling to outside of the city just to get a Dr. Pepper?

Not to sidetrack here but it was probably a Grape Soda and not a Dr. Pepper.

 

[Cuddles]

Not to sidetrack here but it was probably a Grape Soda and not a Dr. Pepper.

 

[UsualName]

So discussing public policy in a politics forum is out of bounds unless you live in the right zip code?

It depends. What Philadelphia sees as a “public good” really should not be up for debate. You can say they are crazy but they should be able to decide for themselves, so long as it is within the parameters of the constitution and that states laws.

But, if you think the soda tax is going to end western civilization as we know it then go ahead and debate. Make the case why this is a national issue.

 

[ThunderThor]

Liberals here doing what they do best .. ... Deflect and Obfuscate .