Ah, the lazy days of summer...drinking ice-cold beers as you lounge on a hot, sunny beach. Sipping a chilled glass of white wine on your outdoor deck as you watch the sun set. These idyllic moments could soon cost you a lot more money, as Congress is pushing for hefty taxes on beer, wine and hard liquor. The tax on a six-pack of beer would rise by 145 percent, and the wine tax would rise a whopping 233 percent per bottle. Even non-drinkers would take a hit, as a tax on sodas and sugary drinks is being considered as well.

Where's all this money going, you wonder? It's to pay for the rising costs of health care, especially for those who are uninsured. The idea is to tax items that potentially contribute to health-related problems like obesity and liver disease. One question, though -- what about red wine? It's been said that in moderation, it's beneficial to your health, possibly lowering blood pressure, aiding in heart disease prevention and helping ward off Alzheimer's disease. So I say --  if you're going to tax alcohol and soda because they're bad for you, leave red wine alone! Give us at least one thing to drink this summer.

photo: j. grill/getty images