By now you have likely heard that Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., proposed a soda tax earlier this month.  As it turns out, we aren’t the only ones who think that this proposal is a bad idea.  Check out this excerpt from an op-ed published on Reason.com by Keep Food Legal’s Executive Director Baylen Linnekin:

“The bill is a lousy idea for several reasons, many of which I’ve discussed previously. First, research has shown that soda taxes are an ineffective tool for combating obesity. Some untaxed drinks will contain more sugar than those that are taxed. Soda taxes—like lotteries—serve primarily to tax those in lower income brackets. Soda consumption has fallen over the last decade even as obesity has risen. What’s more, people should be able to drink a damn soda—or a rice-based milk substitute, for that matter—without the taxman judging them for their choices.”

It’s pretty simple – taxes don’t make people healthy.  If we want to get serious about obesity, it starts with education – not laws and regulation.  Politicians should focus on what matters most – education, jobs and the economy – and leave the grocery shopping to us.  What goes in your cart is your choice!

Read more of Linnekin’s column here.