There are several things wrong with this. First taxes on just those items would not be enough to fix this problem. I also have an ideological opposition to my government telling me what is and is not bad for me. It starts with cigarettes and alcohol and moves onto potato chips and fast food. Soon enough you have the government with the power to determine what consumables In this country will make it to the marketplace and which ones will not. I don't want my government to have that kind of power. Not to say we don't already tax those items, just not to the extent you do in Canada.
The problem is not a tax problem. It's not that our government takes in too few tax dollars its that our government spends too much. It doesn't matter how much you raise taxes our politicians will jump at the chance to use that extra revenue to buy themselves votes. We need our constitution amended so that no matter who is in charge our government cannot spend more than it recieves. It's been proven in these modern times that our politicians are equivalent to children when it comes to money and the only way to control them is to limit the amount of money they can spend.
brett636,I feel I have to respond.I realize that this extra tax revenue would not be enough.
A also question the importance of what your ideological ideas are,considering the facts are in regarding alcohol and tobacco.
Our government is far from perfect,but I think adding fast food,pop,chips to the list of unnecessary consumables to the tax list,
is a profitable way to make money,and our government has nothing to do with what is sold in the marketplace.
I also know the mess you are in was not caused by overtaxing.
I also think that as a person with the right to vote,all the talk of children and politicians is a moot point.
The biggest hurdle you have to overcome in my eyes is that these small increases would not affect you
or your lifestyle,but at the same time would add millions,and possibly billions over time to the coffers.
I feel a brotherhood with America,although most Americans don't know or care where or what Canada is.
I have respect and admiration for it's accomplishments,and offer my simple opinions with a sincere desire
to help.