Taxes: they're not just for revenue any more

It can now be considered official: taxes are no longer merely a governmental means of raising revenue to cover expenses. They are become the new penalty for misbehavior. Oh, there have been hints of this for some time. For example, cigarette taxes. Those are not disproportionately high in order to re-coup costs from their use (though some would argue this), rather they are set so as to discourage people from buying them. Though the government coffers would suffer if all smokers suddenly quit, cold-turkey!

The newest proof of taxes-as-penalty comes from an unnamed group of "health experts" who are pushing the Obama administration to instantiate a tax on soda pop, because of its involvement in the obesity epidemic. Again, the government isn't bleeding money because people are drinking pop (though again, some would argue), and needs to recoup those losses via such a tax. No, this is merely an idea intent on discouraging the purchase of such heinous products, and therefore is a penalty paid by those who continue.

So, the truth is out and cannot be denied: punishment for misbehavor is no longer the sole purview of the Judicial wing. The Executive branch now owns the power to assess guilt and to levy punishment. Will some wise legal council come forward to explain the unconstitutionality of this creeping assault on the balance of powers and abuse of the tax mechanism? Do we need to grab our 2 liters and head for the nearest harbor to pour their contents overboard in protest? Do we now need Pop Bottle Parties, ala the Tea-Baggers?