Costco Pushes Back Against Seattle's Racist Sugar Tax

Started by Solar, January 14, 2018, 11:38:20 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Solar

The City of Seattle probably didn't expect pushback from Costco, seen by many on the left as retail's "anti-Walmart," after its "sugary drink" tax of 1.75 cents per ounce went into effect January 1. But that is exactly what has happened.

In moves the national press, which largely supports such taxes, has thus far ignored, Costco is itemizing the built-in cost of the tax on its Seattle store's shelf tags, and informing customers that they won't pay the tax if they shop at one of two other Costco stores outside Seattle's city limits.



This is, in a sense, a gutsy effort by Costco. Seattle has imposed the tax on distributors, meaning that retailers pay the tax as a line item on their purchases. In theory, retailers then decide whether or not to pass along all or part of the tax to customers in their shelf prices; of course they must, or they will go broke selling these products.

The City of Seattle clearly wanted to keep the amount of the tax hidden from retail customers, and, as seen below, even engaged in the fantasy that the tax burden is not "intended to fall onto the consumer"

Speaking of exemptions, the tax is not being levied on the types of heavily-sugared coffee drinks found at Starbucks and other similar locales. Thus, the tax regressively targets the poor, who tend to consume more of the taxed drinks. It's also arguably racist, an admission made by the office of none other than now-disgraced former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray in an FAQ document last spring:

Whites and high-income Americans are more likely to drink diet soda compared to communities of color and low-income Americans.


https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-blumer/2018/01/11/not-national-news-costco-pushes-back-against-seattles-sugary-drink
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

supsalemgr

Quote from: Solar on January 14, 2018, 11:38:20 AM
The City of Seattle probably didn't expect pushback from Costco, seen by many on the left as retail's "anti-Walmart," after its "sugary drink" tax of 1.75 cents per ounce went into effect January 1. But that is exactly what has happened.

In moves the national press, which largely supports such taxes, has thus far ignored, Costco is itemizing the built-in cost of the tax on its Seattle store's shelf tags, and informing customers that they won't pay the tax if they shop at one of two other Costco stores outside Seattle's city limits.



This is, in a sense, a gutsy effort by Costco. Seattle has imposed the tax on distributors, meaning that retailers pay the tax as a line item on their purchases. In theory, retailers then decide whether or not to pass along all or part of the tax to customers in their shelf prices; of course they must, or they will go broke selling these products.

The City of Seattle clearly wanted to keep the amount of the tax hidden from retail customers, and, as seen below, even engaged in the fantasy that the tax burden is not "intended to fall onto the consumer"

Speaking of exemptions, the tax is not being levied on the types of heavily-sugared coffee drinks found at Starbucks and other similar locales. Thus, the tax regressively targets the poor, who tend to consume more of the taxed drinks. It's also arguably racist, an admission made by the office of none other than now-disgraced former Seattle Mayor Ed Murray in an FAQ document last spring:

Whites and high-income Americans are more likely to drink diet soda compared to communities of color and low-income Americans.


https://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/tom-blumer/2018/01/11/not-national-news-costco-pushes-back-against-seattles-sugary-drink

This is quite refreshing. The reaction will be interesting. Please keep us informed.

I love the "not intended to impact consumers" statement. Liberals are so f---ing stupid. They are either totally ignorant or really don't believe consumers  understand.
"If you can't run with the big dawgs, stay on the porch!"

walkstall

Quote from: supsalemgr on January 14, 2018, 12:03:35 PM
This is quite refreshing. The reaction will be interesting. Please keep us informed.

I love the "not intended to impact consumers" statement. Liberals are so f---ing stupid. They are either totally ignorant or really don't believe consumers  understand.


I will go with the BOLD.
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

SueAnn

Gatorade is one of the items that I buy on Boxed.com and it gets delivered to my house--free shipping.

walkstall

Quote from: SueAnn on January 14, 2018, 02:32:06 PM
Gatorade is one of the items that I buy on Boxed.com and it gets delivered to my house--free shipping.


Trust me young lady, there is nothing free.
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Billy's bayonet

Didn't Joe The Drunk Biden have something to do with Costco....owned enough stock to be on the board?  Anyhow I never patronize that place and I no longer buy Gatoraide until they stop sponsoring the Kneelers in the NFL.
Evil operates best when under a disguise

WHEN A CRIME GOES UNPUNISHED THE WORLD IS UNBALANCED

WHEN A WRONG IS UNAVENGED THE HEAVENS LOOK DOWN ON US IN SHAME

IMPEACH BIDEN

Cryptic Bert

One of two things will happen. They will either push to make it statewide or end up repealing it.

walkstall

Quote from: The Boo Man... on January 14, 2018, 05:29:44 PM
One of two things will happen. They will either push to make it statewide or end up repealing it.


I think they will push it to be county first then state wide. 
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Cryptic Bert

Quote from: walkstall on January 14, 2018, 05:39:25 PM

I think they will push it to be county first then state wide.

If that happened and I owned a shop just over the state line I would be offering discounts for Washington residents

SueAnn

Quote from: walkstall on January 14, 2018, 03:17:55 PM

Trust me young lady, there is nothing free.
LOL I hear you.  I pay less for it on Boxed than I pay in grocery stores.  Is that better?  :wink:

SueAnn

Quote from: Billy's bayonet on January 14, 2018, 05:19:04 PM
Anyhow I never patronize that place and I no longer buy Gatoraide until they stop sponsoring the Kneelers in the NFL.

I boycott many things for various reasons too, but in the summertime Hubby works in 100+ degrees.  Gatorade really helps him stay alive. 

walkstall

Quote from: The Boo Man... on January 14, 2018, 06:11:13 PM
If that happened and I owned a shop just over the state line I would be offering discounts for Washington residents


LOL I get that in Oregon.  I can eat dinner out in Oregon and not pay a tax.   I can buy yard tools and not pay a tax. 
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

walkstall

Quote from: SueAnn on January 14, 2018, 06:32:49 PM
I boycott many things for various reasons too, but in the summertime Hubby works in 100+ degrees.  Gatorade really helps him stay alive.


Get the G2 Gatorade if you must, less sugar.
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."