AP POLL: How to pay for health overhaul? Tax the rich

[citizen k]

I think the poor should be given free vouchers at health clubs and organic food stores,

You don't need a voucher to live a healthy lifestyle. 

[alfred russel]

The number one health problem of the poor in America is obesity. This isn't 18th century London, where poor Oliver would like a little more please.

That would actually be 19th century London, that Oliver lived in.

But yeah, you made a good point about obesity. I think the poor should be given free vouchers at health clubs and organic food stores, to curb their obesity, which is going to cost the health care system lots in the future.

You don't need a gym membership and a big budget for groceries to be healthy. There are lots of cheap healthy foods, and you can have a great exercise routine just with running, push ups, and other free exercises.

I'm all for access to health care and health education for poor people, but if someone is obese, it isn't because they can't afford to go to the gym. If you can afford a big mac and a coke, you can afford a lot of bananas and tap water.

[Berkut]

I think the poor should be given free vouchers at health clubs and organic food stores,

You don't need a voucher to live a healthy lifestyle. 

No kidding.

This is a funny comment, because it illustrates the basic divide on the question of the role of government.

The idea that for every problem, there is some government solution that involves taking money from one group and shoveling it to another. Poor people are too fat? Send them vouchers to health clubs!

[DGuller]

Of course that would be silly, good thing it isn't done.

You can certainly send them more money though, in the rather bizarre hope that they will spend it, which will somehow increase tax revenues via sales tax!

That is an order of magnitude more ridiculously than Reagans trickle down economics.

Who said anything about increasing revenues via sales tax? 

[Sheilbh]

You don't need a gym membership and a big budget for groceries to be healthy. There are lots of cheap healthy foods, and you can have a great exercise routine just with running, push ups, and other free exercises.

I'm not so sure.  I spend more per week on fruit and veg than I do on anything else.  I think it's extortionate.

[DGuller]

The number one health problem of the poor in America is obesity. This isn't 18th century London, where poor Oliver would like a little more please.

That would actually be 19th century London, that Oliver lived in.

But yeah, you made a good point about obesity. I think the poor should be given free vouchers at health clubs and organic food stores, to curb their obesity, which is going to cost the health care system lots in the future.

You don't need a gym membership and a big budget for groceries to be healthy. There are lots of cheap healthy foods, and you can have a great exercise routine just with running, push ups, and other free exercises.

I'm all for access to health care and health education for poor people, but if someone is obese, it isn't because they can't afford to go to the gym. If you can afford a big mac and a coke, you can afford a lot of bananas and tap water.

Big Mac is not the cheapest food there is.  When my family was really poor, McDonalds food was too expensive for us.  The cheapest food you can find is packaged preservatives with an artificial taste of food added, like Ramen noodles.

[alfred russel]

Big Mac is not the cheapest food there is.  When my family was really poor, McDonalds food was too expensive for us.  The cheapest food you can find is packaged conservatives with an artificial taste of food added, like Ramen noodles.

Okay, but ramen noodles aren't responsible for the obesity epidemic.

[frunk]

I think that's the point.  These people are able to afford McDonalds and so could also afford other decent, healthier meals.

[Berkut]

Big Mac is not the cheapest food there is.  When my family was really poor, McDonalds food was too expensive for us.  The cheapest food you can find is packaged conservatives with an artificial taste of food added, like Ramen noodles.

My family lived on stuff just like that. And you can get mighty fat off of it too.

But even when we were well below the poverty line poor, we were never in danger of not having enough food. Food stamps, school lunches, etc., etc. We didn't eat steak every night by any means, but we never went hungry.

[Berkut]

Big Mac is not the cheapest food there is.  When my family was really poor, McDonalds food was too expensive for us.  The cheapest food you can find is packaged conservatives with an artificial taste of food added, like Ramen noodles.

Okay, but ramen noodles aren't responsible for the obesity epidemic.

Oh yes they are. Those fucking things are terrible for you.

[DGuller]

Big Mac is not the cheapest food there is.  When my family was really poor, McDonalds food was too expensive for us.  The cheapest food you can find is packaged conservatives with an artificial taste of food added, like Ramen noodles.

My family lived on stuff just like that. And you can get mighty fat off of it too.

But even when we were well below the poverty line poor, we were never in danger of not having enough food. Food stamps, school lunches, etc., etc. We didn't eat steak every night by any means, but we never went hungry.

I agree with that.  Ramen noodles are dirt cheap, and more nutritious than dirt (which is its only clear advantage).

[Barrister]

I agree with that.  Ramen noodles are dirt cheap, and more nutritious than dirt (which is its only clear advantage).

I dunno - I think you're probably get more nutrients from dirt than you would from ramen noodles.

[Berkut]

Big Mac is not the cheapest food there is.  When my family was really poor, McDonalds food was too expensive for us.  The cheapest food you can find is packaged conservatives with an artificial taste of food added, like Ramen noodles.

My family lived on stuff just like that. And you can get mighty fat off of it too.

But even when we were well below the poverty line poor, we were never in danger of not having enough food. Food stamps, school lunches, etc., etc. We didn't eat steak every night by any means, but we never went hungry.

I agree with that.  Ramen noodles are dirt cheap, and more nutritious than dirt (which is its only clear advantage).

Back when I ate things like Ramen noodles, I made some very, very good ones. Add in your own spices, some vegetables, and a scrambled egg, maybe even some leftover roast pork or something. You can use some basic Ramen noodles to make up a great noodle soup.

[Josephus]

I think the poor should be given free vouchers at health clubs and organic food stores,

You don't need a voucher to live a healthy lifestyle. 

We really need a sarcasm smiley. Honeslty....I was exaggerating about the health clubs and organic food stores. Sheesh. You guys need to lighten up a bit. I know it's tough with Obama being in power.

[crazy canuck]

As many as possible? So there is no limit to the amount that ought to be transferred from those who actually do things to those who sit around collecting funds from  the government? That is a bold statement.

Oh wait, I forget - nobody is port because of their own actions, all poor are deserving poor, who are only poor because they never had any chance to be anything else, right?

I am not sure where this angst is coming from.  What does the causes of poverty have to do with letting people who are working have more money in their pockets so that they can have a higher standard of living?

Its a question of diminishing returns.  As I said, a few hundred more dollars in my pocket every year is nice but is hardly noticeable.  I grew up knowing people for whom that would be a big deal.