So what’s up with the upper lefters, anyway? Not content simply to bother language to death, ‘t seems the city that Starbuck’s built is fixin’ on going after its own wayward espresso cartel. In the name of child health, of course. Or so writes Jeremy Lott for Tech Central:
Seattle is one of the more meddlesome, taxophilic cities in the U.S. — so much so that the Seattle Times last year threatened to split town if the city bureaucracy didn’t back off and if the government didn’t reform itself. The emerald city is also one of the most — if not the most — highly caffeinated cities around, having spawned Starbucks, Seattle’s Best Coffee and the whole espresso culture that casts its wonderfully fresh brewed buzz over most of the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the United States.
However, if a new initiative petition gathers enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, residents of Seattle may have to choose which they like more, their coffee or ‘the children.’ At least, that’s how the issue is being framed: An alliance called the Early Learning and Care Committee (ELCC) is seeking to add a 10 cent surcharge to every espresso beverage ordered to subsidize pre-school workers and public school teachers. With the usual string of caveats and qualifiers – this doesn’t apply to drip coffee, it would not kick in unless businesses have revenues of $50,000 a year — the ELCC estimates that the latte levy would raise $7 to $10 million per annum.
Well, it’s official. There’s no longer anything the nannystate won’t seek to, er, reprimand with a good ol’ fashion tribute tax. Stock up on the jerky and Twinkees now, kids. Buy your Doctor Pepper in bulk and bury it in your backyard. Cause these goodies are next on the list for tough-love rate hikes marshaled in the name of kiddy protection…
The money, which could have been shaken out of one of Bill Gates’ pant legs, is a pittance compared to the potential social fallout. Many Seattleites are incredulous, to the point of anger. The Seattle Times editorial on the subject began “Taxing lattes? In Seattle?
3 Replies to “Beanheads”
>>>Think I can convince ‘em to cut my food for me, too?<<<
Sure you can. Would you prefer your granola thin-sliced or thick-sliced?
Thin, moist, and pre-enzymed, please. I just want to tip my head back like a baby finch and have it shoveled right down the gullet.
At least this one might bring the do-gooders a little closer to taxing THEMSELVES to pay for their schemes. Beats sticking it to the smokers again.