Larry Summers, chair of the White House National Economic Council when the 2009 stimulus was developed, suggested that President Obama will eventually tax and regulate junk food to drive people to eat more healthily.
Of course, there are a number of questions: what is "junk food"? being one. Another: is it the perogative of the government to tax and regulate what was once considered freedom of choice? Is it okay for them to decide that you must "go vegan"?
There are precedents, and many of them: if you drive, you must pay federal taxes on fuel, tires, and other necessities. You must wear a seat belt. If you smoke, you must pay a tax, and where you may do so is regulated.
Now that government will be requiring you to purchase health-care insurance, what limitations - if any - exist in regard to their ability to tax and regulate what you consume? If they decide that a bacon-cheeseburger is unhealthy, are they not within their rights, as defined by precedent, to tack on a $5 surcharge?
If you're concerned about rampant taxation, fear not: they'll just call it a "fee". After all, they're from the government, and they're here to help.
