The Fat Tax: Should Heavy People Pay More?

Should Heavy People Pay More?​

My Take​

Being fat is considered the last form of discrimination by a lot of people. I don't really know if I can fully agree with this, given that there's only a small percentage of people who fit the "heavy" category who cannot help being the size they are out of genetic reasons. But then again, from an economic standpoint, it would be prove beneficial, though at the expense of those who feel disenfranchised.

Health is always going to be an issue, especially when talking about weight. And if the perceptions of heavy people persists, then it's highly likely that such models will be adopted first in the aviation industry, and then expand to businesses which are located at home nations and this will greatly affect the U.S. and other nations in which contains an epidemic on health matters.

 

Someone pass the popcorn this is gonna be good

 

*sigh*

 

Its not bashing its a conversation. No?

 

Me too. I'm 6'2...240lbs...so my BMI is considered obese. Oh well. Tax me or don't tax me. C'est la vie mes amis

 

Give it time....

 

More Airlines are implementing policies regarding larger passengers

Very fair and balanced video in the link below.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30246913/#.UVIAFRn-eVs

 

Why is this labeled a 'fat' tax and not a 'muscle' tax?, lol...
This is a WEIGHT tax that frankly could discriminate against men, since they generally weigh more (if nothing else that they tend to be taller.)

Just wondering too while they're at this 'brainy' idea....per 1000 passengers....why not encourage them prior to flight to take a shit before they board, that's like 1000 pounds in fuel savings, notwithstanding saving/sparing REAL gas emissions into the air.

 

Let's also implement weighing passengers in cars and toll them, someone's gotta pay for the crumbling roads bridges and infrastructures. BTW, don't SUV's weigh more than a mini-cooper?

Oh and side-walks...cement can take a beating.

 

I think this policy is more fair than the tax. If an individual cannot physically fit into a seat and needs an additional seat to accomodate them, then they should pay for the extra seat unless the flight isn't at max capacity. They are taking up a seat that another traveler would have to pay for.

 

I thought they already had to do that? :smt017

 

Not sure if all airlines do, but I know some definitely already do this, and have for a while now. The money is refunded should the plane not sell out of seats.

 

Sounds fair to me. You occupy more space you should pay more. But back to the topic at hand I do think people who cost the system more overall should pay more if its caused by their own actions.
Smokers should pay hire premiums, people who constantly get broken bones, people who have obesity induced diabetes(been there and reversed it thanks to hard work and diet)
We have to start being more conscious of the fact we are literally all in this together and need to stop with me me me attitude.

 

*************B I G M A N WA L K I N G I N T H E R O O M************

: Didn't read the article..... Thought I put in my two cents......

Nope, I think one third of all those seats on today's airliners should be at least 25 inches wide, enough elbow room for all.... Hell... how much room needed to board off a jetplane?

Airline seats where much larger BITD.:smt029

The airlines just want to profit from obesity, the seats are getting smaller I guess. Flying coach today, the seat at least 17 inches wide.

Do First-class if you have the means.:smt045:smt015:smt015:smt015

 

My head and my heart are at odds over this topic. I agree that people who cost more should pay more, but my heart can't help but feel for the ones who have shitty genetics and have to work 5x harder than other people to maintain an "average" weight/size.

As for the topic though...money motivates people, and if savings were linked to better health, maybe people would be more inclined to take care of themselves? It's an interesting thought. We have a Wellness Program at work (started in Sept), which is tied to lowering our healthcare premiums should people improve their health. I'll be very interested come Sept 2013 to see if the promise of saving money actually prompted anyone to improve their health (glucose, bp, weight, activity, etc).

The seats are small as heck!! I flew to TX a few months ago and in my row sat three of us ladies...all average in size. We were bumping arms the ENTIRE flight. Luckily it was only a few hours, or fists would've been thrown eventually. I can only imagine how difficult it is to fly as a larger person.

 

That's actually a smarter way to do it. Make incentives instead of punishments. Sin tax doesn't really work to well to curb behavior it just makes people angry.

 

If I remember correctly, I think that was part of option 3. There was a set price...if you were a smaller person you pay less, so obviously if you were a bigger person you'd pay more. It has to balance both sides of that scale. "Average" people would pay the set amount.

 

That's actually a very good proposal, but there is one problem with that: "I can do whatever I want and don't need anyone telling me what to do" mentality. At least in the US, where we exercise this notion of liberty and not letting the government or business interfere with our personal lives, it's going to be a hurdle. Even with all of the incentives, you may have some trials for these individuals unless you promise them a too good to be true reward.

 

I absolutely agree. The incentive is only 10% savings (about $40/mo if you have your whole family insured), so I don't think people are breaking down the doors at the gym! However, for those who have wanted to get healthier, this is just added money in their pockets should they succeed. It's definitely not enough money to entice the most stubborn!

 

If we had any doubt that Sluggo is Iggy, it was just erased with this post.