'Twinkie Tax' a ploy to empty wallets, not waistbands

After whetting its appetite with sin taxes on tobacco, alcohol and marijuana, local and state governments are licking their collective lips at the prospect of the money to be made taxing soft drinks and 'unhealthy' foods. Of course, this "Twinkie Tax" is defended as a move to improve the nation's health, but I don't buy it.

I do accept that there are a great many activists who support such a tax because they are convinced it would help stem our plague of obesity.

As Gary Sattler reported, a recent study concluded that those so afflicted spend $1,400 a year more for health care, and I can't argue that proportionate weight isn't a boon to health. However, taxing Cheetos and Chips Ahoy, Coke and curly fries won't accomplish anything but pad the government's pork pie.