The economy has tanked. More than 10% of Americans are unemployed and even more are under-employed or have stopped looking for work. The grim statistics we hear day to day question our stability as individuals and as a nation. When hard times like this occur, creating new means of revenue are always contentious. In our current situation we also have a failing healthcare system that no one wants to pay for. Public education is not looking so good either. And the health of our citizenry is pitiful. For a nation that prides itself with wealth and freedom, we sure have a lot of problems.

In lieu of the ominous warnings around us there are measures of hope and idealism. The challenge is acknowledging what is hopeful and what is not. In the context of public health and our national food system, I believe there are some powerful ideas out there for mending it. At the same time, the most provocative and powerful measures are strongly disliked by too many people. When it comes to weight (60% of Americans are overweight or obese,) a long-overdue position has been put forth. To combat obesity and the foods linked to it, why not simply tax junk food?  Will taxes change our behavior and make us healthier? Or just make folks more angry with the federal government?
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