When presented with the difficult moral dilemma of seeing taxes on our favorite sodas and beer rise, or denying thousands of Mainers health care, there is only one choice to make.

When assessing the negative effects of soda, syrup and beer on the population of Maine (obesity, drunken driving, diabetes, heart disease), it seems logical and sensible that taxes on such items should support our health-care system.

After all, those who abuse such substances are a burden to the Maine health system, so whenever they purchase a beer or soda, they should be paying extra into the system.

Saying that you cannot afford the newly proposed taxes on these amenities is ridiculous. You can afford the new taxes by buying fewer beers, or less soda, or buying none at all. There are fringe benefits to this as well. By buying less, you will be healthier.

I question the validity of the Fed Up With Taxes Coalition. It should come as no surprise that it is powered by beverage lobbyists, because the natural step Mainers will take when taxes are increased will be to spend less, or, more precisely, spend less on the beverage industry's unhealthy products, which will cut into beverage profits.

The beverage industry would hang thousands of Mainers out to dry, without health care, just to ensure profits continue to flow in.

This election year, the moral choice is yours. And the choice is quite clear.

Ben Gadberry

Manchester