The Power To Raise Awareness

Matthew e-mails to report a rare glimmer of good news. Paterson Admits Obesity Tax Plan Has Failed:

New York Gov. David Paterson admitted Thursday one of his most talked-about tax proposals, an obesity tax on sugary drinks, is fizzling.

But he said it popped the right question.

In meeting with college students over his budget, Paterson told the young New Yorkers not worry about his soda tax because the Legislature won't go for it. But he said it has served its purpose of raising awareness of childhood obesity.

Traditionally it's been understood that taxation (or the threat of) has four main purposes: Revenue, Redistribution, Repricing, and Representation. Now, we can add a fifth "R" to the mix courtesy of David Paterson: Raising Awareness.

It's nice to know that he has such a judicious approach to invoking the full weight and power of government to confiscate property from the citizens of his state.