let's compare

[lisa_thecat]

This year started with raised prices for gas, electricity, heating. Of course, everything else will follow. Our government, in its thirst for money, has decided, after overtaxing cigarettes and alcohol, the usual "suspects", that we need other taxes too. So here came the idea of a tax for fast food, sodas and sweets. Because they're bad for our

Comments

[hannelore_k]

I heard they were going to do the soda/fast food tax here too. But like you said, what's with the cost of chicken (and everything else) going up as well? And who decides where to draw the line on what's good or bad for us and deserves to be taxed more? It's all just a way for government to take more money and try and make it look like they give a shit about our health. If they cared that much maybe they'd start by providing better health care.

Interesting comparison! I guess even when things change they remain the same in a way.

[lisa_thecat]

All these reasons they invoke are crap. They don't care about our health. They only care about taking more of our money. It's funny/weird that the same idea for taxing "unhealthy" food is so international!

[hannelore_k]

I was surprised when I heard about that tax. I'm not sure what's become of the idea, if it will happen or not. It just seems so random.

[saithey]

I've seen/heard people here talk about taxing sodas and junk food, because they claim Americans are fatter than ever, and it should be the government's job to step in to solve it. I absolutely disagree. Maybe it's just me being a Southerner, but I don't want the government stepping in and telling me THIS is how I'm going to live (I don't even drink sodas or eat much junk food, but I'd start on principle as a 'fuck you' if such a thing were seriously discussed).

[joy_n]

Yup, you're so right on this - making more money is always behind the government actions, no matter what time we are living - communist or nowadays, whatever it is called.
Oh you also had these ration cards? I still remember queueing for sugar for days with these cards, I was a kid back then but our whole family was spending hours and days in the queues so I had to take turn too :)
Here the prices have gone up dramatically since January 1st, especially in heating, electricity and all, public transport is way more expensive this year too. Good start, isn't it? :P