I've avoided high-fructose corn syrup for a long time, but just plain corn syrup is also in practically everything. You're completely right, it's about subsidies and manufacturers choosing cheaper ingredients.

I like the Sierra Mist Naturals lemon-lime and cranberry-lemon-lime sodas sweetened with cane sugar.

The CVS closest to my house has Pepsi Throwback some of the time. It tastes much better than the corn syrup version.

Right now I'm sticking to diet drinks because I'm trying to lose weight.