Here’s a press release (with no date) claiming that “taxes don’t make anyone healthy”:

Americans Against Food Taxes, a new coalition of concerned individuals, working families, and small and large businesses, was unveiled today to stand up against new taxes on beverages and food, such as a tax on juice drinks and soda currently being considered by some in Congress. The coalition also launched its new Web site at http://www.nobeverageandfoodtaxes.com.

“A tax on juice drinks and soda would further squeeze hard-working families already struggling to pay their bills and keep their health coverage. With the economic downturn, there could not be a worse time to ask them to pay more for the simple pleasures they enjoy,” said Susan Neely, president and CEO of the American Beverage Association.

“We all want to improve health care, but taxes don’t make anyone healthy. Education, exercise and balanced diets do that,” Neely said.

Americans Against Food Taxes has two primary aims: to prevent the enactment of regressive and discriminatory food taxes that will have no meaningful impact on improving health care but will have a negative impact on American families struggling in this economy; and to promote a healthy economy and healthy lifestyles by educating Americans about smart solutions that rely upon science, economic realities and common sense.

“Our customers and our businesses are already struggling to survive in this recession,” said Nelson A. Eusebio, executive director of the National Supermarket Association and regional co-chair of Americans Against Food Taxes. “We simply cannot afford more government regulation in the form of new taxes on foods and beverages sold by supermarkets and enjoyed by everyday Americans.”

Republicans are rather over-represented there. Imagine that! This is about a federal tax on shit that leads to morbid obesity that’s so rampant in this country. I can’t believe the number of people I see who are way overweight. I mean jeepers, how did they get to this stage? Beer, soda, juice, and snack food. I suppose these lobbyists will get tips from the tobacco industry. Maybe they’ll pick up a subsidy or two along the way.

Just one more example of selfishness and lobbying – and it will work. Individuals don’t count anymore.

The saddest thing is that those of us who need the healthcare bill the most can’t afford to buy congress but those who have no need can.