Freedom Works Chairman Dick Armey, the former House Majority Leader, is a lobbyist for DLP Piper. In 2008, Armey represented Diageo, an international beverage business.

"They [liberals in Congress] think that a tax on soft drinks is better than any other type of tax," said Armey. "They are wrong, and need to understand this message loud and clear: No new taxes!"

Armey's ire is in response to a proposal which recommends increasing the tax on soda and alcoholic beverages as a way to generate revenue to pay for health care. The beverage tax, promoted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, was one of many ideas presented to the Senate Finance Committee in a roundtable discussion.  

The full testimony by the center Executive director Michael Jacobson can be read here.

                                                                                                               -- Eliza Krigman

You're kidding me! Soon we will even be taxed on the air we breathe. I really think that they overreact with the beverages. Sometimes I guess it's no worth thinking of all the stuff they do and all the 'bright' ideas they have. We should mind our own business, enjoy fine dining Tucson services, have those beverages without thinking that they could put a tax on them in the future.