The Ugly Tax?

Yesterday I read that one proposal for NYC to raise more money from its citizens was to impose a tax on cosmetic surgery. Since it is largely optional except for those unfortunate cases where a person is brutalized by an accident or a mugging, or a child is born with a deformity such as a harelip, I can't disagree with the idea. So many people run out and get their faces tucked and nipped, their wrinkles ironed out, their noses bobbed to look Irish Catholic when they were born Semitic, etc. Why shouldn't vanity have a tax on it?

Maybe looking into the mirror and buying into society's dictates that everyone must look bright eyed, bushy tailed, and under 30 years old is a flaw that should be taxed. But then shouldn't we also impose a tax on the advertising industry that convinces us we aren't up to par? It seems to me our concept has become: if you don't look like Brad Pitt or Paris Hilton (name your celebrity flavor of the week here), you're downright ugly and your face and body need fixing. Oh, maybe working out excessively should be taxed also. Anyone who works out more than the recommended amount might have to pay a tax on it too. But just how would we find that out? Checking on people's gym attendance? We've got enough Big Brother watching us as it is.

So yes, let's tax cosmetic surgery when it isn't warranted because of unusual circumstances like an accident or an obvious deformity. If you want it just to cover up the fact that -- gasp!! you're getting old..or you just feel plain butt-ugly...yes, you ought to pay a tax to the city for being so vain. Do I hear Carly Simon singing?

Bet you think this song is about you.