Are new drink taxes excessive?

This week, ClickBack asks readers to submit questions they would like to ask candidates in the 1st Congressional District primary races. Six Democrats — Michael Brennan, Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Steve Meister, Chellie Pingree and Ethan Strimling — are seeking their party’s nomination. On the Republican side, Dean Scontras and Charlie Summers are vying for their party’s nod.
If you could sit down with the candidates, what policy questions would you ask? Here are some topics to consider:

The Penobscot Indian Nation has threatened to sever ties with the state after Gov. John Baldacci’s veto of their plan to install 100 slot machines on Indian Island. The tribe has said it might install the slot machines anyway. Should it? The tribes in Maine say they are sovereign nations and should be treated as such. Should they? How would this work since they are an inte-gral part of Maine? What would the state lose if the Penobscot Nation ceased relations with Augusta?

A petition has been filed to repeal the upcoming tax increase on beer, wine and soda. Would you sign it? If it were successful, the people’s veto would end funding for the state’s Dirigo Health insurance program. How should that program be paid for? Or should those covered by Dirigo simply go without insurance?

Maine truckers went to Washington, D.C., to protest high diesel prices. Farmers worry that high fuel prices will put them out of business. Blueberry growers fret about the cost of burn-ing their fields to promote growth. What is the solution? Should the U.S. drill for oil in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge? What about areas off the New England coast? Should gas-guzzling SUVs be banned?

Landowners are upset about proposed changes to the plan governing the state’s 10 million-acre Unorganized Territory. Where does a landowner’s right to do what he wants with his land end? Should the state, through the Land Use Regulation Commission, restrict what happens in the North Woods? Is there a place for nonmotorized recreation? Where?