Chocolate Milk Tax

This is an abomination.

Now they've gone too far.

TAXING CHOCOLATE MILK?

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A tax on chocolate milk? Preposterous, the dairy industry says.

But there it is, tucked inside a 61-page document released by the Senate Finance Committee, which is trying to find ways to pay for health care reform and discourage childhood obesity.

The list was released by Sens. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.). The proposed federal excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages was included in a report prepared by the Congressional Budget Office.

While no rate was specified, 3 cents for every 12-ounce beverage could raise as much as $50 billion over 10 years, the committee's report said.

On Thursday, two major dairy trade groups took aim, because the tax would be applied to chocolate and strawberry-flavored milk as well as sports drinks and other beverages.

"It's both bad nutrition policy and bad tax policy to lump milk in with other beverages," said Jerry Kozak, president of the National Milk Producers Federation.

"Kids need more calcium, and flavored milk provides it without adding too many calories," Kozak said.

The small amount of sugar added to reduced-fat milk doesn't add excessive calories, according to the government's 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages consumption of low-fat milk, including flavored products, as an alternative to soft drinks.

"Taxing flavored milk because it includes a small amount of sugar is penny-wise and pound-foolish," said Connie Tipton, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association.

The tax was "tossed on the table" without much discussion, according to Grassley's office.

The senator, who's also a farmer, said he is against a tax on sweetened beverages.

...Kozak said: "Why would anyone discourage consumption of flavored milk with a new tax?"

Let's face it.

We are living in the Age of Taxes. This is the change Americans voted for and now they have to deal with it.

Of course, it's idiotic to even consider a tax on flavored milk. But that's irrelevant.

The fact is everything that's consumed provides a tax opportunity. And politicians, especially the Democrats, want to make the most out of every opportunity.

Don't forget what Obama said on the campaign trail:

And I can make a firm pledge: under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase - not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.

Obama lied.

EVERYONE will be paying higher taxes.

Obama insisted, "No family making less than $250,000 a year will see ANY FORM of tax increase."

Really? Families making less than $250,000 don't buy flavored milk, or tobacco, or alcohol, etc.?

I didn't realize that chocolate milk was a rich man's drink.

Bottom line: If it's not a new tax on chocolate milk, it will be a new tax on something else. Guaranteed.