Sometimes “no” means “yes.” A vote of “no” on Question 1 on the November ballot means a big “yes” for DirigoHealth. Dirigo makes health insurance coverage available to those who might otherwise go without, and goodness knows there are plenty of folks who wouldn’t otherwise have health insurance during these times of economic stress.

Our “no” votes will go a long way toward ensuring healthier children, workers and families in Maine. As for the tax on beverages, well, there is a public cost to many of the poor choices we make. In this case, the public costs of obesity, alcoholism and poor nutrition include increased health-care costs, reduced productivity and poor educational achievement.

Additional taxes on unhealthy choices to provide health care coverage for more Mainers seems fitting to me, and I will vote “No” on Question 1 in November.

Pat Malcolm, Lewiston