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Brittany Reid
HELA II
Rager-2
19 February 2015
Calorie Tax
Twinkies, 135 calories. Doritos 145. Oreos 150. As of many, you probably enjoy these
simple sweets and fatty foods. But it is becoming a problem and affecting everyone in our
society. The recommended calorie intake is about 2,500, but many eat closer to 3,000 or more
(Parseghian 44). By taxing according to calories, we will be able to help the economy and
decrease obesity in America.
Obesity is becoming a bigger problem every day. The cheap fast-food is affordable and
quick, and in todays world, we do not have time to slow down. In the article, Taxing Food
Calories Could Help Reduce Obesity, Study Finds Whoriskey suggests that, a calorie tax
would get you the biggest bang for the buck; it's the most direct way of taxing
obesity(Whoriskey A.17). This would tax foods depending on their caloric containment, which
hopefully would make the eight dollar potato chips seem less appealing. However, when
attempting to tax junk foods in Maine, it had no impact on the weight of the state (Taylor A.14).
Although it may have not worked in one place that does not mean it will not be effective in other
states. Also, by taxing depending on the calorie amount, you are not just targeting the obese.
Taxing would come across more than just junk food, all foods would be taxed. By doing so we
are helping each other have a better future without having to worry about our physical
restrictions.

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By creating this calorie tax, you can only imagine the economy to get better as well. We
are drowning in debt and need a solution. This new tax is just the start of reconstructing the
government. One article comments that taxes would reduce consumption of drinks that
contribute to costly diseases like diabetes(Scherr). Instead of spending tax money on medical
problems associated with obesity, that money could be distributed to more needy areas of
government.
Parseghian suggests that indulging in unhealthy foods does not affect anyone other than
the consumer (Parseghian 44). However, the affects can be deadly. One in five American deaths
is now associated with obesity (Parseghian 44). Not only does obesity restrict you physically, it
also can be costly. Obesity can lead to diabetes, heart failure, and in cases depression. All of
these issues require medical assistance which can be costly. Taylor worries if all the panic over
obesity is worth it, but it is (Taylor A.14). What if it was your family member suffering from
obesity? We need to watch out for each other and get back on the healthy track by starting a
calorie tax.
Something needs to happen; its just a matter of when. Why not kill two birds at once?
We can help the obesity and debt crisis by creating a calorie tax. We need to protect the
generations to come while we still have the power. Whos with me.

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Works Cited
Whoriskey , Peter. "Taxing Food Calories Could Help Reduce Obesity, Study Finds." Washington
Post. 27 Jun. 2013: A.17. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.

Scherr, Judith. "California Cities Gear Up to Fight "Big Soda"." Global Information Network. 02
Apr. 2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.

Parseghian, Pamela. "Junk-Food Taxes Would Be Unfair and Ineffective." Health. Ed. Auriana
Ojeda. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Support HighCalorie Food Tax Proposal? Fat Chance." Nation's Restaurant News 35 (30 Apr. 2001): 44.
Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
Taylor, Peter Shawn. "Fat Taxes Don't Work." National Post. 09 Dec. 2013: A.14. SIRS Issues
Researcher. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

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Grading
Criteria

Description

Points

Content
and Ideas

Clear argument
Support uses ethos, logos, and pathos
4 or more credible sources used
Antithesis addressed and refuted

012345x2=
10/10 Mariana
10/10 Allyson-great job
incorporating your sources
10/10 Self grade
/10 final grade from
teacher

Organization

Effective introduction and hook

Paragraphs are organized around claim statements
Transitions are used between paragraphs
Sequence is logical
Conclusion leaves reader with powerful final statement

012345x2=
10/10 Marianna - loved
your conclusion!!
10/10 Allyson- great hook
10/10 Self grade
/10 final grade from
teacher

Voice

The writer connects with the audience through the intriguing focus
of the topic, selection of relevant details, and the use of natural,
engaging language, including the use of vocabulary.

012345x2=
10/10 Mariana
10/10 Allyson
10/10 Self grade
/10 final grade from
teacher

Diction/
Syntax/
Convention
s

Five vocabulary words are used naturally and effectively.

Writing is all in 3 person .
Quotations are embedded and cited.
0-3 Errors in grammatical structure

012345x2=
8/10 Mariana
I saw your first underlined
word but couldn't find the
rest
9/10 Allyson- I saw the use
of we a couple of times
10/10 Self grade
/10 final grade from
teacher

Publication/
Appearance

typed and double-spaced

Times New Roman; 12 pt.
proper MLA formatting; heading that includes student name,
instructors name, class, and date
works cited page is included.

012345x2=
10/10 Mariana
It was really good! i
enjoyed it a lot
10/10 Allyson-great mla
format, I saw no errors
10/10 Self grade
/10 final grade from
teacher

rd

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