Topic: Soda Tax

In a 2018 IMF discussion, Michael Bloomberg and Christine Lagarde argued that regressive taxes on the poor, such as soda taxes, are "good" because they force behavioral changes. Bloomberg stated that higher taxes on sugary drinks and coal are necessary to make the poor live longer, regardless of the economic impact on their jobs.

The city of Berkeley, California, passed a tax on large sugary drinks, which the hosts criticize as ineffective. They argue the campaign against the tax failed to highlight that diet sodas containing aspartame are exempt, missing an opportunity to link the issue to Donald Rumsfeld. An anecdote about former CNET host Molly Wood and her bamboo utensils serves as a critique of Berkeley-style environmentalism.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is identified as a vehicle for government-aligned social engineering, specifically targeting the soda industry. Recent episodes are noted for equating soda companies with Big Tobacco and promoting the idea that sugary drinks are responsible for childhood obesity and mental health issues.