New York State governor David Paterson has proposed an “obesity tax.” He says:

I completely agree that public health programs should promote nutrition and healthy eating as way of avoiding long-term health issues. However, avoiding heavily processed and artificial foods in my own health-related decision. Diet sodas are full of chemicals like phosphoric acid and artificial sugars. Sure, they have fewer calories, but I fail to see how drinking a beverage sweetened with sweetened lab chemicals is a better choice than a natural soda flavored with cane sugar or a no sugar added juice. I should not be monetarily punished for not drinking diet.