Would you spend an extra dollar per gallon at the pump, in the name of curbing obesity?

Question

They obviously didn't do enough research for this story... how about those of us who go further than 5 miles in order to get to work every day?

I don't even want to know how long it would take me to bike 50 miles, one way, to work!


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14348271

Great details, guys!

Answer 1

I heard this and I busted out laughing!!!!!! Oh gee I make you choose between eating and getting to work. Hey lets freeze the fat people to the north and sweat the fat people in the south and we'll all be fine. Oh ya...lets do that. Talk about utter insanity.

Lets question why our "CHEAP" imported foods are all genetically engineered. Lets ask why if they are REALLY concerned about our health that the healthy foods are unaffordable and the cheapest food is unhealthy.

Tell me why fat people are unhealthy while physically they are starving. I mean really physically starving for the nutrients the body needs. Why is it when I stuff myself with a Big Mac....am I hungry a 1/2 hour later? I watched a special in China where they "filled in" with cardbord boxes. Our body doesn't gain nutrients from card bord boxes. Fat doesn't mean healthy anymore that death skinny does.

Answer 2

I listened to the link and agree that there isn't enough research, but it's still interesting.

If it's a market driven increase (not a govt. tax), I think it's clearly a great side effect of the increase.

If the government were to mandate an additional $1 tax for the primary purpose of curbing obesity, I'd have to say no. The reason is because my belief that the government should stay out of the lives of its citizens as much as possible outweighs the economic and personal benefits (of which is substantial) of forcing a tax with the purpose of reducing demand for gas and increasing exercise.

Would I personally walk more if the distance were reasonable? Absolutely, but I'm not obese. The guy who did the study says that obese people would walk more which I'm not sure I agree with. He also mentions that people wouldn't go out to eat as much, which I think probably has more effect on body weight than walking a little. :)

Answer 3

NO,

Because that would mean paying a dollar more for all of my food and other goods; which, in the US, are mostly transported by truck.

Because it would increase the cost of my power by a huge amount, since a lot of it is oil based in my region.

Because it would pretty much cancel out the recent rise in the minimum wage and add an unrealistic tax on every commuter.

Because YOUR weight is YOUR problem. I am over weight, and both I and my doctor know it. It isn't that bad though, so I am not asking you to pay for my weight loss. Why should I have to pay for someone else's weight loss?

Walking or biking to work isn't realistic for a lot of people who wouldn't get in until lunch and would have to leave right after lunch to get home at a decent time. Most Americans don't live that close to their jobs, in places like Texas you can't get by without a car. The society is not designed for any other means of transportation. Sure we have a mass transit system, but it is inadequate to handle the load a dollar tax on gas would put on it. It may not be able to support a 25 cent increase in gas.

If you live in Manhattan, and work two blocks away then this may work. But, even in New York most people don't live within walking distance of their job.

The "Greens" who propose this idea are being as unrealistic as the antiabortionists who don't consider what to do with the unwanted children. Have it their way and they will condem them to years of abuse and poverty.

Answer 4

I agree. They just don't understand that some people have to drive due to distance or health. I used to walk everywhere...many many miles. But I can't do that any more. That's what cars are for. I would love it if they shifted to another form of fuel or something. And add some bike lanes that cars can't drive through. But raising prices isn't the answer. It just punishes the poor and working class for what the rich would continue to take for granted.

Answer 5

Oh my gosh . Well deary , that is one of those leftist ideologies that we're always warning people about . The vast majority of Americans live and work in the largest metropolitan areas of our country . And very few of them are safe to ride a bike through . Let alone when it rains or once the snow flies . This notion is about the equivalent of Sheryl Crowe proposing that we only use 1 square of toilet paper .

Answer 6

That's crazy. There's enough gasoline taxes already. And I'm not riding my bike 13 miles to work, down either a highway or a major four lane road (that's not quite a highway.) You can't totally avoid the busy roads in order to get to my job.

Answer 7

Yeah, I don't think they realize that a majority of Americans live in cities that have major "urban sprawl". It's 29 miles one way for me to get to work. I can only imagine (I love that song) walking 11 miles from my children's daycare in this hear here in Phoenix to keep my un-fat @ss trim! lol! It's 3 miles to the closest grocery store... how do they expect me to buy groceries, with a bicycle?!

Answer 8

i would get a electric car that runs on batteries, this way i won't need gas, but most likely it will never hit 10 dollars a gallon because they are coming up with great ways to save oil

Answer 9

No, this would effect the entire economy in a negative way!
Obesity is a personal problem that only the person that is overweight can do anything about. Like smoking or drug abuse.
Try eating healthier and exercise!

Answer 10

Aren't we paying enough already. I live in a rural town without anything but a Post Office. Every time I need to go to town it costs me $20. No, I don't want to pay more.