NJ Governor is taxing health club memberships!

LauraMax

LauraMax

Cathlete
I can't tell you how completely pi$$ed off I am at this! So, first off healthy people already have to pay higher health care premiums for the "obesity epidemic." Second, we're already paying for a health club membership (or home workout dvds & the various equipment you need for that). Third, WE will save everyone else money in the long run b/c our health care costs will ultimately be less than those of obese/unhealthy people.

And now our governor, to make up for a billion dollar deficit, is going to punish us for this? Talk about a disincentive! Why doesn't he just tax twinkies or mud pies? Or maybe desserts at restaurants? Or anything w/a carb or calorie count over 200? Or maybe polyester stretch-waistband pants?

And to make matters worse, he created some ridiculous Mayor's Council on Fitness, which you know is just gonna be a bunch of PR BS w/no real action, activities or incentives to improve our population's health.

I wonder how Cathe feels about this? I for one am gonna write a nasty letter to the good Governor Corzine (who I did vote for BTW, & believe me I will vote for Newt Gingrich to be NJ's governor b4 I vote for Corzine again). I'm gonna bring blanks of my letter to my gym for members & staff to sign & mail.

This is just asinine & unfair!
 
ITA!! what a crock!! It irks me too that obese people get tax breaks on exercise equipment and gym memberships if doctor ordered, but those of us getting it done on our own can't write off fitness supplies. What a drag!!

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
<So, first off healthy people already have to pay higher health care premiums for the "obesity epidemic." >

For a variety of reasons please let us not go there or assign blame to people who have the misfortune of being obese or otherwise unhealthy for a variety reasons. Direct your outrage at the geniuses behind this plan and not the poor obese person who faces enough obstacles as it is. The fact is that it is becomiong expensive to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have access to good healthcare. Ramen noodles and other crap foods are cheap and plentiful; fresh vegetables, tofu, fish, etc etc are not. Now apparently a gym membership won't be either. This definately a time to speak up and be heard by your elected officials. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that they are looking at gym memberships as a large source of revenue.....
 
I hear the "healthy food is expensive" stuff all the time, and I'm sorry I don't buy it. Organic food may be expensive but healthy food is not. Beans of all varieties, potatoes, sweet potatoes, eggs, bananas, pasta, brown rice, white rice, apples, carrots, frozen veggies and many other healthy (or at the very least not junky) products are *not* expensive. And, there are always fruits and veggies on sale. Chicken is always on sale. People will complain that it is too expensive to eat healthy but then put a bag of Chips Ahoy or Doritios in their carts, at $3.99 plus a pack. Give me a break. Processed, packaged food is what's expensive. (Dr. Phil actually did a program on this once, with some obese folks who complained they ate fast food and junk because it was cheaper. The show did a cost analysis and showed the people that they were actually spending more for junky and fast food.)

Did I rant? Sorry :p

Sparrow


Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
I have to back Sparrow on this one. It is the pre-packaged, prepared, and highly processed foods that cost the most, as well as the organics.

I just want to say that I'm sick to death of these politicians who, for lack of any creativity AT ALL, can't think of anything other than raising taxes to solve problems. Throwing money around rarely fixes anything.
 
Well, maybe it's me because I have seen my costs creep upward since I have forsaken the soda, chips, and cookies in the shopping cart but you do make a good point. Ramen noodles, spaghetti-os mac and cheese are certainly quite cheap and more readily available in the inner city than vegetables/fish/lean meats, at least in my area. Perhaps there is no correlation between people living in poverty and poor eating habits but admittedly anecdotal evidence convinces me otherwise.

Regardless, I do agree that employers and the government should be EMPOWERING (and educating) the public with ways to better themselves physically and mentally not hindering them (my sister-in law's employer gives employees free membership to Bally's for example). I feel sorry for anyone who struggles with obesity and I feel fortunate that I, being blessed with thin genetics, do not have to endure the ridicule and discrimination they often times face.

BTW, I contribute a good bit of my homegrown veggies to inner city food pantries and missions. I've recruited a group of friends to do the same. I hope it is making a difference is someone's life....

BTW, it is not my intention to chastise anyone on this thread. I just personally believe that assigning blame isn't going to change things. Empowering people to help themselves will. A bit lofty I suppose but maybe we can help find postive ways to combat crappy, crippling epidemics such as obesity and Type II diabetes.
 
><So, first off healthy people already have to pay higher
>health care premiums for the "obesity epidemic." >
>
>For a variety of reasons please let us not go there or assign
>blame to people who have the misfortune of being obese or
>otherwise unhealthy for a variety reasons.

I didn't blame obese people. Where did I blame obese people? That was just a statement of fact, not finger pointing.
 
<I didn't blame obese people. Where did I blame obese people? That was just a statement of fact, not finger pointing.>

Apologies for the misunderstanding Laura. Many people would assign blame here which is unfortunate because it doesn't contribute anything positive.
 
Oh I'm assigning blame alright--on my jacka$$ governor. Like I said, I'm sure there are a vast array of things that could be taxed instead of this, but they all have lobbyists, PACs & campaign contributors to stop taxation.

The fitness industry probably doesn't have a strong lobby & therefore it's easier for Corzine to slam them. Maybe it's time to rally the troops......

BTW, I appreciate the apology & glad you see my post in the spirit it was intended.......:)
 
<Oh I'm assigning blame alright--on my jacka$$ governor. Like I said, I'm sure there are a vast array of things that could be taxed instead of this, but they all have lobbyists, PACs & campaign contributors to stop taxation.

The fitness industry probably doesn't have a strong lobby & therefore it's easier for Corzine to slam them. Maybe it's time to rally the troops......

BTW, I appreciate the apology & glad you see my post in the spirit it was intended....... >

Laura,
I wholeheartedly agree with you and I thank you for starting the discussion. I find it unfortunate that there are so many obstacles to a healthy lifestyle and you've got me thinking about these issues.
 
I feel sorry for anyone who
>struggles with obesity and I feel fortunate that I, being
>blessed with thin genetics, do not have to endure the ridicule
>and discrimination they often times face.
>
>BTW, I contribute a good bit of my homegrown veggies to inner
>city food pantries and missions. I've recruited a group of
>friends to do the same. I hope it is making a difference is
>someone's life....

Beavs, I agree and I can't tolerate anyone who would belittle those struggling with obesity. I do agree that education is needed, especially for the poor and undereducated.

As a visiting nurse with many years of experience, I found it quite difficult to compel people to make healthy food choices. One of the most difficult parts of my job was trying to help newly diagnosed Type II diabetics make wise food choices. We are not necessarily talking about poor and impoverished people here, although some were, but many were not. Many were just people who preferred to eat fatty and highly processed foods--lots of white bread, sugary foods, fried foods--(you know, the crap I ate while on vacation:eek: ). You'd be surprised at the people who do not like vegetables at all and will grimace at the thought of even trying them. You'd be horrified at the people who cannot identify veggies in the grocery store. Even when I'm shopping I'm amazed at the cashiers who hold up a veggie in my cart and have to ask me what it is before they can ring it up. Parsnips seem to really throw people off. Almost everytime I buy them the cashier will ask me what it is--lol...;(

All this to say that we live in a nation where people like convenience foods. They're busy and they don't have time to cook or whatever. I still don't think that raising my taxes is the way to go. I don't trust the government to be a good steward of my money.

I think it's fantastic that you donate homegrown veggies to food pantries and I have no doubt that it's making a big difference in many lives.
 
That really sux. Smokers and coffee drinkers have to pay more taxes, it was only a matter of time before they find ways tax those that are more health conscience. Who else is getting taxed, though? I can't imagine that taxing gym membership holders would gain much revenue. And what on Earth created that huge deficit? Maybe the real problem isn't money coming in but money being mismanaged and frivolously spent.

Missy
 
Beavs,

ITA about prices creeping up...we are all feeling the pinch I think! My only point is that there are plenty of healthy, inexpensive to moderately priced food options in the stores. I lived in major cities most of my adult life, never in the wealthy sections, and brown rice, eggs and bean etc. were available in all of the stores in my 'hoods. :) Being poor doesn't absolve people from making good choices. And, not to be cold, but I find it slightly ludicrous that we live in a country where food is so inexpensive and plentiful that the "poor" - traditionally the ones who can't get enough to eat - have been able to eat themselves into an obesity epidemic. I'm not blaming anyone, just saying there's something wrong with that picture.

Michele, I've had the same experience at the grocery store!

Sparrow

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ‘Wow - what a ride!’ — Peter Sage
 
<I found it quite difficult to compel people to make healthy food choices. One of the most difficult parts of my job was trying to help newly diagnosed Type II diabetics make wise food choices. We are not necessarily talking about poor and impoverished people here, although some were, but many were not.>

I used to be one of those people until a few years ago. I had to reprogram my taste buds to enjoy healthy foods. I don't entirely understand why I was drawn to crap food when I was raised in a household where fruit and veggies were plentiful. Perhaps thinking about the possibility of amputations and/or kidney failure could persuade these people otherwise. My mother, who has always been a rather healthy eater, has still ended up tethered to a dailysis machine three days a week and ironically cannot eat many of the vegetables she loves (tomatoes scream to her!). It has spoken volumes to me about taking care of oneself, eating what you are supposed to avoiding what you are not, and asking questions and demanding answers from healthcare providers. At the end of the day..it would behoove us all to say no to coporate food. Blech!
BTW, I find the cashiers are always puzzled about the okra I frequently buy. LOL!
 
Michele, just to piggy back you I can tell you that I have many friends who are overweight and complain about it but don't want to change their diet because processed foods TASTE SO GOOD! My grociery bill is about half of what many of my friends spend and I buy the "expensive" foods - the trick is that because it is natural it is more filling and we tend to eat less where as processed foods are not and cause you to crave and want to eat more. I blame so much of it on advertizing and lobbyers that senators accept checks from and push agendas for. GRRRRRRRR!!! Many people don't know what is healthy, but some don't care and that is so frustrating to me, especially mothers who have overweight and unhealthy children... I have so much to say on this subject and they whole "don't have time to cook" thing (all it takes is a little planning ahead!), but it just makes me so mad and the kids will be home soon, so I need to put on my happy face :D

and to be completely honest with you, I have no idea what parsnips look like either!!! lol!

Missy
 
>and to be completely honest with you, I have no idea what
>parsnips look like either!!! lol!
>
>Missy

ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO

Parsnips look like big white carrots. I love them in soups, stews or roasted. :9
 
DING DING DING! Missy wins the brain prize for the day! :p

It's called pork. Which tastes good until it's shoved down your throat. :+
 
Good points all! You've got me thinking...... Maybe it's not poverty at all (although you don't see too many fat rich people--maybe due to liposuction or the ease of hiring personal trainers???) but that processed food is so much more tempting...and accessible (ever try finding a healthy meal at a stop on the NJ Turnpike or NYS Thruway?? Healthy snack at a movie theater? Grease free selections at your mall "food" court?)
And Laura is right about the pork! (eventhough I don't eat pork anymore.... lol!)
 
I also have to chime in on the healthy eating topic. I have noticed that my grocery bill is only slightly higher, but it's because I am always heading to the grocery store for fresh fruits/veggies. I think that part of the reason people think that processed/boxed food is less expensive is because people only purchase it once in a great while and it keeps in the pantry FOREVER!!! They only see it on the grocery bill once!

I also have a problem with cashiers identifying veggies, but in my case it's a little more pitiful...."what's this?". Ma'am, they're cucumbers! (the English variety)x(
 
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