US state wants to tax TVs, video games to fight fat, fund education



WASHINGTON (AFP) - A Democratic lawmaker in New Mexico wants to tax televisions and video games to raise funds to fight childhood obesity and improve education in the state, officials said Friday.

"I have asked our legislative council service to prepare the "Leave No Child Inside" bill and am hopeful that it will be ready for me to introduce on Monday," educator-turned-lawmaker Gail Chasey told AFP.

"Leave No Child Inside" -- a play on the federal education initiative "No Child Left Behind" -- is backed by grassroots environmental group, the Sierra Club.

"The bill proposes levying a one-percent excise tax on the purchase of TVs, video games and video game equipment and would create the 'Leave No Child Inside' fund to receive those revenues," Michael Casaus of the Sierra Club told AFP.

The author and sponsors of the bill, who include dozens of other organizations besides the Sierra Club, according to Casaus, expect to raise four million dollars (three million euros) a year through the tax.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080125/ts_alt_afp/ushealt...iFoCZbIBlDdYTees0NUE

"According to a study cited by backers of the bill, hands-on, outdoor study leads to better grades among students, including in mathematics and science.

Another study has shown a 27-percent improvement in the science test scores of students who participate in outdoor education programs."

Who conducted these studies? How many people were involved? How long did they take? Who did they study?

Statistics are statistics. What are the real numbers?

And last--Why doesn't Yahoo allow comments on their news articles?

"The goals of the bill are to improve the academic performances of our kids, to promote a more healthy lifestyle and to provide our children with outdoor learning experiences, using our state parks and public lands as classrooms," he said.

There ya' go, we are going to need to pour more money into the parks system, kids just can't touch trees or grass without supervision.

When I was a kid we were kicked out of the house at 8am and told to come back for dinner @6pm.

Now there are so many more dangers [we are told] that kids must stay inside. I bet my bottom dollar that the dangers were the same back in my kid days, but the news and gov't agencies never saw the need to create the fear.

Creating a fear creates a new gov't agency and sensational news features.

Jeepers, you can't have kids wandering national parks....what if a tree falls on them?...Who will be sued? Whose responsible?

Our society has turned into scare tactics and litigation. Might as well stay home....

"The bill proposes levying a one-percent excise tax on the purchase of TVs, video games and video game equipment and would create the 'Leave No Child Inside' fund to receive those revenues," Michael Casaus of the Sierra Club told AFP.
_________________
Holy shit, this amounts to involuntary contribution to a "non-profit" cause. What if I don't have a fat kid? And what if I did have a fat kid? This measure is some sort of punishment because I do have a fat kid, or because my neighbors have fat kids. This idea could be a precursor to an itemized (involuntary) contribution withholding from your paycheck! This is indeed a scary idea, in my opinion.

"...would create the 'Leave No Child Inside' fund to receive those revenues," Michael Casaus of the Sierra Club told AFP.

—And of course, the new agency will need operating funds, such as salaries and general overhead expenses which would most likely exceed the four million in expected revenue from this assinine idea. Also, the areas of taxation "for the public good" are endless--parents in particular should be inflamed at this idea, it implies that they are nothing but government controlled robots, as far as raising their kids is concerned.

(as for the "leave no child inside" motto-- excuse me while I barf...)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Maxine,

"Leave No Child Inside"
Who the hell is going to buy them coats????

Now they'll have to fund "Leave No Child Coatless"
They can add a 1% tax to short sleeve shirts.

I want to know who is going to pay all the extra healthcare expenses for these kids. You know, they are so weak these days, all those allergies, asthma, lord knows what else. All that "fresh" air and exercise is going to increase their doctor visits if you ask me......

So is this the "No Child with a Big Behind" bill?

(as for the "leave no child inside" motto-- excuse me while I barf...)

I like your new phrase much better CZ, at least it's got some levity to it. Incidentally, isn't there a move on right now about doing away with recess at schools? That's just going to create more little big behinds, isn't it? As for the pent up energy and nervousness that kids need to expend at recess, well I am sure big pharma has got a pill to relieve that.

quote:

Originally posted by Maxine:
(as for the "leave no child inside" motto-- excuse me while I barf...)

I like your new phrase much better CZ, at least it's got some levity to it. Incidentally, isn't there a move on right now about doing away with recess at schools? That's just going to create more little big behinds, isn't it? As for the pent up energy and nervousness that kids need to expend at recess, well I am sure big pharma has got a pill to relieve that.

I believe that the "no recess" issue was done by one school district (some where but I can't for the life of me remember where), to cut down on the number of law suits for kids falling down and scraping their knees while at recess.....those lawyers - what will they think of next!

quote:

Originally posted by varla_pussycat:
.....those lawyers - what will they think of next!

They'll sue if a knee gets scraped
They'll sue if a body gets too fat

A nice complete circle
Got to pay the mortgage

Found this in the Seattle Times archives: Although in some places, recess has become a "problem" due to playground arguments,injuries, etc.— this article questions whether recess is cutting into "academic time" too much.

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis...=children%27s+recess

Recess, the source of rejoicing among generations of schoolchildren, may need legislative protection from school administrators trying to find more time for academics.

The traditional three playground breaks a day — morning, lunchtime and afternoon — have been reduced to two at many schools in the county, and some districts around the state have considered eliminating them altogether.

I cannot play ball and run, maam I am (to green eggs and ham)

I cannot run with a ball; or so I might fall..

I cannot shoot it in a hoop, or my back may droop;

I cannot run down the slide; nanny says I'll skin my hide;

I cannot catch with a mitt, else I'll slip and bite my lip;

I cannot run and play; nanny state says no way, and took it away;

All I can do is sit at home and eat all the day, and play video games; Thay'll tax me for 'tis true, but what's a who to do;

I cannot run and play, nanny says it's not healthy, and not OK

'DO NOT WATCH SPORTING EVENTS AND BAN THE SUPER BOWL!!'

http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2008/01/super-bowl-...r-causing-heart.html

Just imagine, New York Giants and New England Patriots fans might have to find something else to do this Sunday.

The Super Bowl, and all spectator competitive sports, may be a thing of the past, in accordance with current public health policies.

A new study has found such sporting events are associated with a 326% increase in cardiac emergencies among men and nearly a doubled risk among women.

These are actual myocardial infarctions and cardiac arrhythmias, not surrogate endpoints for heart problems. For those with heart disease, the risks are twice those of people without a history of heart problems.

Calls have already begun to ban all competitive sports to protect public health and contain healthcare costs...

So,compare the correlation between SHS and untenable 20% to 30% higher relative risks largely relying on surrogate endpoints ... to the correlation between sporting events and the 326% higher risks for actual cardiac emergencies, and the answer is clear:

All spectator sports must be eliminated for your protection.

It is only logical, right?