Reply #399: No, I don't beleive that this tax is the only way. I presented an article that suggested [View All]

doing that in order to make positive changes in public health, similar to what we did with tobacco products. I asked people to take a look at the author's argument.

Your arguments are rational and I agree on much of what you have to say and have a wise fear of laying taxes on food. All Bittman is saying to that is "yes, but..." IMO, your best point is that the tax will remain and the good, fresh foods for the poor will never materialize and I am old enough to know that has sadly been the case in other instances. What comes to mind immediately is Clinton's welfare reform which was to include a strong jobs training component to counter the disproportionate negative consequences of "reform." What there was wasn't good enough. And the political motive for reform was really to remove the stick that conservatives beat liberals with by taking welfare and all it's unpopularity with middle class white voters out of the equation. If I am hung up on anything it is with that possibility with regard to food policy...