Sunday, July 05, 2015

Fat Tax, Movie Reviews


While we all know that obesity is a big problem in the USA I don’t think we realize it quite so much until we are directly affected by it.  The facts are that over 35% of the population is considered obese, even though I think it might be greater than that now.  But the other serious and shocking fact is that since it leads to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and many others health issues, the medical cost every year is $147 billion and counting!  So, based on these alarming facts I am proposing a program that will solve our obesity problem, once and far all.  

Here goes, I am proposing an annual Fat Tax that must be payable on January 15 of every year and is determined by a percentage and payable to the government towards the continued fight against obesity and the medical costs.  Now, the kicker is how does the government determine how much and how to get this money.  First, anyone who is a citizen of the USA has a SSN, so that is the first step to bringing them in each January 15.  ALL citizens, including Donald Trump and all rich people, will come in for the annual weigh in and measurement requirement.  Second, there will be a weight vs height determination and what I call the airline seat measurement.  It will be done by simply having the citizens sit in an airline seat and their penalty is determined by how much they overflow into the seat next to them, i.e. 6” over flow will be a $600.00 penalty or $1.00 per inch.  If it goes over a certain about there will be a double penalty. Just $1.00 per inch could mean millions in the fight towards obesity and poor health.  At the same time obese people will be motivated to do something about their problem rather than another trip to Golden Corral!

Now here comes another big kicker in a positive economic impact to the USA.  Millions will be spent by the government for an extensive study on the subject, then there will have to be a new government agency formed with all kinds of high salaried beuracrats, then there will be even more weight loss programs and weight loss foods in the market place.  Of course this cannot go to congress for a vote and must be kept away from the approval of our congress, so we must have President Obama add it to his growing list of presidential orders that do not require congress approval, and away we go.  While I know this idea has many details to fill in before it becomes law, there is no question it is a solution to a very bad thing.  Trust me!!

Movie Reviews:  

“Mad Max-Fury Road”,  **,  Another look at how the world may become after the ultimate destruction from war and rumors of war.  The world is being ruled by notorious bands of warlords who rule by how much fuel they have and how physically dominating they can be.  Charlize Theron(a very good actress and nice to look at) performs as a one armed rebel being chased by every other warlord on the planet at the time.  Senseless and endless chase scenes consumed to the point there was very little dialogue.  A mediocre, boring movie that could have been better if their stayed with the original mad max theme. Tom Hardy replaces Mel Gibson as Max.  Rated R for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images. 

“Tomorrowland”, *,  This is one of the most confusing, doesn’t make since movies I have seen in a long time. It has something to do with a former boy-genius inventor embarking on a mission to unearth secrets that exist within their collective memory.  It goes in circles and is not worth a free ticket!  Rated PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and peril, thematic elements, and language. 

“Woman In Gold”, *****, This is a award winning true story movie.  Sixty years after the Nazis forced her to flee from her home in Vienna, a woman demands that the Austrian government return a painting stolen from her family,  specifically artist Klimt’s famous “The Lady in Gold.”  Helen Mirren shines as the alternately defiant and frightened Maria Altmann.  Ryan Reynolds is also very solid as the young lawyer who is the attorney for Maria.  Rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and brief strong language.  

“Ted 2”, *,  If you hated Ted 1 you will also hate Ted 2.  Stupid, crude and pointless as the first one was.  Go at your own risk and be prepared for nothing.  Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, and some drug use.

“Terminator Genisys”, ***, Not bad for a continuation of the original Terminator with Arnold.  Worth only for the matinee ticket price with lots of violence.  You should see the original so this makes more sense.  Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language.  

EA, SH.......:)!

greerman