A New Hampshire legislator is proposing a state sales tax of 50 cents a pound on candy. The small state, which depends largely on a combination of real estate taxes and "sin" taxes-fees levied on rooms, meals, alcohol, and tobacco-is trying to come up with ways to alleviate the burden on homeowners. The state is definitely in a money crunch. With the costs of education and health care going up faster than the rate of inflation, and with less and less money coming from the federal government due to federal budget cutbacks, the state is hurting.
One resident on the evening news agreed with the proposed tax on candy, calling it a "discretionary" purchase. "Kids don't need candy," the man said; "They can eat apples cantaloupe."
As a confirmed chocoholic, I object! My daily dose of chocolate is not optional; it is a necessity of life! Chocolate is a safe and reliable mood enhancer-it enhances the production of mood-elevating endorphins-and it offers antioxidants that help prevent heart disease and cancer.
Tax candy corn; tax peeps; tax penuche, nougat, ribbon candy, salt water taffy, and all other forms of confections. Heck, build three dozen casinos and introduce sports betting and OTBs into the state. But please, keep your tax collector's money-grubbing hands off my chocolate!
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics.