Charles Shiflett Column May 23, 2004

Obesity And Taxes

Obesity and taxes? It's a strange title for a column, but maybe there is a connection. To find out, let's
strap on our time travel gear and head back to those ancient days known as the 1950's…

The 1950's are considered by many to be a magical, almost mythical time in our nation's history. A
typical nuclear family (yes, we did have the bomb back then) consisted of mom, dad, and two or three
children. Teen pregnancy was less common and the few girls who found themselves in trouble usually
took an extended vacation to grandma's or aunt Clara's lest anyone know they were pregnant outside
of wedlock.

The divorce rate of the 1950's was low by today's standards - must have had something to do with that
word “wedlock” - and “death do ye part” actually had meaning. Families typically ate breakfast and
dinner together, and the term “latchkey kid” hadn't been invented yet. Children usually attended a
neighborhood school near their home where the parents knew each other and more importantly - knew
the teachers.

Regardless of where a child roamed, he or she would always be under the watchful eye of a neighbor
who would not hesitate to let mom or dad know what junior was up to. Neighborhoods and
communities were stable with few transients and many families never moved… once established, they
raised their children and lived out their retirement in the same home.

Extended family was important as brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins typically lived nearby. This provided a built-in support network where there was always
someone who could watch the kids for you or lend a hand.

Let's not forget religion. Most families were members of either a neighborhood church or maybe a
nearby church where the family had attended for generations. The majority of neighborhood children
attended Sunday school or church even if their parents didn't. Of course vacation Bible school was
always a big hit.

There was a common set of values shared by the community. And the few working families that did
need daycare could typically find it at church - where religious values were reinforced. So what does
this have to do with taxes and obesity?

Most women in the 1950's were contented as housewives and mothers. She was home for her young
children - imparting morals, values, and a mother's touch. When dad arrived home from work, the
clothes were washed, the house was clean, and supper was on the table. After dinner the family spent
time together and with neighbors and relatives. Times were not as hurried or rushed. So how was the
1950's family able to do this? Taxes. To be more precise, low taxes.

The combined income tax rate for a typical 1950's family was in the 5% to 8% range. Compare that to
today when state and federal income and payroll taxes consume 25% to 50% of a typical family's
income. The solution? Mom has to work and that means a second car, daycare for the kids, and
additional clothes for the office. Dinner many times is a bag of burgers from old clown face or a frozen
pizza, and if you're lucky the family might actually eat together. Time after dinner is consumed with
washing clothes, cleaning house, getting prepared for the next work day, and shopping for groceries -
hey, you can't eat fast food every night.

Today's family is scattered across the country, smothered with lack of time, and covered with
debt…and what do we have to show for it? Aside from high taxes - just a few extra pounds from all the
fast food. Ah for the days when Burger King was not yet American royalty and a Happy Meal was the
result of a clean knock-knock joke during dinner.