Midwestern City Penalizes People for Healthy Behavior?

(Fox News) - Government has often taxed behaviors it considers harmful — such as alcohol and tobacco consumption. But now a Chicago city alderman wants to tax — bottled water. A Chicago TV station reports Alderman George Cardenas wants to put a 25 cents/bottle tax on water — in order to help close the city's $217 million budget gap. He says bottled water usage has contributed to a $40 million shortfall in the city's water and sewer funds.

Critics say taxing something healthy makes no sense. And the mayor's office says raising taxes remains a last resort.