To the Editor:
Fed up with taxes? [Vote yes on] referendum 1.
Certainly an appealing slogan, but please think what would be taxed. Not milk, fruit, vegetables, clothing – essentials to everyone’s life. The drinks that would be taxed aren’t even especially healthy. The loss of revenue to the Dirigo Health Insurance puts at risk coverage for 18,000 Maine children and working adults, and affordable health care for an additional 40,000 people who can’t get insurance through their employers.
Consider also the hidden costs to every taxpayer in Maine when uninsured people are forced to go to the emergency room, when workers who can’t afford medical care miss work due to illness.
Finally, ask who is the strongest supporter of Ballot Question One. Out-of-state beverage companies have spent almost $500,000 to bring the question to the ballot.
In these difficult times, for thousands of Mainers their greatest concern is losing health coverage, not spending a few pennies on beer and soda. It is estimated that more than half the Maine families declaring bankruptcy are doing so because of health care costs. Maine has been a pioneer in making affordable health care insurance available to its citizens because we care for one another. Let’s not let an appealing slogan confuse this important issue.
Doris Balant
Newcastle
