When it comes to the topic of soda taxes, Americans are sending a consistent, resounding message: discriminatory taxes are not the path to a healthier lifestyle.  Time and again they have made clear that they can make their own decisions about what to eat or drink without government help.

Yesterday, Sip & Savor shared how, earlier this week, Vermont Attorney General Sorrell proposed a sugar-sweetened beverage tax.  Today, Alex MacLean, a spokesperson for Vermont's Governor-elect Peter Shumlin shared a few thoughts on the AG’s proposal in the Rutland Herald newspaper:

“The governor-elect certainly agrees with the attorney general that obesity in Vermont is a huge issue that has fiscal and health implication for Vermonters.  However the governor-elect feels very strongly that the way to change and shape behavior is not through tax policy, it’s through education.”

We couldn’t agree more.