I am voting No on Question 1 and I want to tell you why. With every government program there are so many ways to go wrong and, so it seems, to do right. Out of 100 things, a program may do 99 things right, but the one mistake or shortcoming garners all the publicity. This has been a stumbling block for the Dirigo Health Program.

Opponents are now trying to eliminate funding because there wasn’t instant gratification after one budget cycle.

Dirigo Health had crucial bipartisan support when enacted, but has become a political issue for those wishing to reduce government spending. It is an easy program to target when fueled by a multimillion-dollar opposition campaign largely funded by interests in the beverage industry. These interests have done an exceptional job fanning the flames of fear in a time of economic turmoil as all of us face a winter of rising costs to heat our homes and businesses.

Maine is on the cutting edge of imposing fees on those items that contribute to higher health care costs for all of us. If the opposition loses here, other states may enact similar fees. Maine could be the tipping point, and the beverage lobby does not want to see that happen.

In January 2006, I enrolled as a member of DirigoChoice. It was not a difficult decision to make.

Choices were narrow as the provider I had previously enrolled in, an out-of-state company, was increasing monthly premium levels for a policy that I had shifted to a $10,000 deductible in order to reduce my monthly premiums. There was no provision for preventive care.

I couldn’t be happier with the coverage provided by DirigoChoice. It has been a wonderful benefit for our family of five. You cannot imagine the relief it has meant to us to not have to attempt to diagnose our children’s illnesses to determine if they were sick enough to warrant an office visit and how we would pay for subsequent treatment.

The Dirigo Health Program is not perfect, but it works.

Small business is the backbone of the state. Taxes in Maine have not impeded the growth of my business in any way that I can determine.

Of course we need tax reform. But tax reform needs to be a well thought-out, big-picture effort like the Governing Maine in the 21st Century Project currently under way through GrowSmart Maine.

We must remember the facts: Funding for DirigoChoice as enacted in the last legislative session translates to four pennies and less for a can of soda, bottle of beer or glass of wine.

Raising the beverage tax will not deter customers from purchasing these items, no matter what the large outside interests try to tell you.

This is a pass-through tax that retail establishments collect from customers and then send on to the state. It will not harm small-business owners.

The availability of DirigoChoice is a great benefit to business and is one step Maine has made in the right direction to build its economy and level the playing field for all who do business here.

There are two key factors that make for a vibrant economy: a healthy and educated population. Without those two components our economy will continue to falter nationally and here in Maine. I urge you to vote No on Question 1.

Craig R. Olson is the owner of Artisan Books & Bindery in Islesboro.