Sweet Deception Leads to Loss of Credibility

One of the tenets that kids are often raised to understand is that honesty is a paramount virtue, and that even when you've done wrong, you're far better off in the long run by telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Even from a practical perspective, there's just too much downside in losing someone's trust, and once you've lost trust, it's very difficult to ever get back. In fact, perceptions are often changed irreparably.

This came to mind as I've been been seeing a constant barrage of commercials slamming the state beverage tax being proposed by New York Governor Patterson. Governor Patterson being incompetent notwithstanding, his proposal has merit, and it's actually painful to see the advertising campaign coming out against the tax. The campaign has been on both the radio and television, and the messaging is almost laughable.

The campaign is sponsored by "New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes", which isn't a family advocacy group, healthy eating alliance or a libertarian lobby. It's a collection of business interests which are almost exclusively grocery stores, beverage bottling companies, movie theaters, vending machines companies and of course, beverage companies like Coca-Cola. It's absolutely pathetic how they try to hide a consortium of business interests behind a name which gives the impression of a grass-roots citizens movement. What? Did those geniuses realize that an ad like that sponsored by "The Grocery and Soft Drink Association" would lose credibility? Especially against a long distinguished list of health advocates who are in favor of the tax, you betcha.

What's even worse is the content of some of these advertisements. A housewife talks about how those "Albany fat cats" are bleeding her and her family's grocery budget dry with these unfair taxes. Naturally, you see her pulling out vegetables, fruits, and a juice container. Of course, the producers of the commercial make sure she's not pulling out the 2-liter bottles of Coke, and you don't see her obese kids who are two days away from adult-onset diabetes.

I have no problem with people and special interests lobbying to promote their cause, and I certainly don't have a problem with sugary drinks, which I probably enjoy too much. What irritates me is the deception and manipulation behind both the source and content. If beverage manufacturers and grocers think that the tax is bad primarily for them but also families, then say so, and make it clear that it's "them" that's saying so. But don't hide behind a coalition label and pretend that your chief interests is Joe Taxpayer.

So as for the beverage tax, go ahead and tax away. I really should cut down on this stuff, anyway.