One item that has caused a lot of stir in the Northeastern United States is the soda tax.
Introduced in New York, the soda tax is a charge of one cent per ounce of soda sold.
Passed on to consumers, there is a lot of debate over the validity of this tax.
The tax comes during the wave of health care reform in the United States, and in many ways, is being pitched as New York's own efforts into reform.
Americans consume far too much soda, a danger considering the high amount of calories and sugar present in the drinks.
The tax is seen as an effort to reduce soda consumption by increasing prices and thereby reducing demand on carbonated beverages.
Many people are upset by this tax, believing it's a government attempt at controlling their lifestyle decisions.
If drinking soda only affects the consumer, why should the government regulate it? What's more, where does the line get drawn? Will the government next put a tax on ice cream, cookies, or other sweets? While the outrage is understandable, the added tax could help to raise awareness amongst Americans about their unhealthy lifestyle choices.
What's more, the improvements in peoples choices could help curb health care costs long term, as healthier lifestyle choices will help keep people in better shape.
What's more, in the end, the tax is largely an attempt by New York to help amend its troubling deficits.
New York is suffering to balance its budget, to the extent that it has delayed tax refunds to people who sent in their taxes.
The state needed to increase taxes and so, a tax on unhealthy life choices ultimately creates a great good than a broad increase in income tax.