EDITORIAL: We're Pragmatic, Sensible ... and Crazy
The Town Talk (excerpt)

In the grand scheme of things, Americans are pragmatic and sensible when it comes to the day-to-day business of living. So, why do we tolerate ridiculous behavior? Consider: The fiscal sky is falling, and has been for some time. Still, we allow government at the federal and state levels to play shell games with tax revenue and make decisions that are grounded only in ineptitude or intentional deceit. Congress approves billions of dollars in borrowing for fiscal bailout schemes, for example, and then wonders why the markets aren't working right.

In Louisiana, the land of bloated state government and abused taxpayers, citizens listen to lawmakers mumble about how "we must get spending under control before we fall off the cliff" and then use one-time funds and revenue projections to patch together a spending "plan" that is no plan at all. They choose to "kick the can down the street," to put it politely. We should do the same to them.

With this as context, Louisiana and at least 17 other states are moving ahead with sales tax holidays, 48-hour breaks from state sales taxes usually levied on certain goods and services. Here, the tax holiday on Aug. 6 and 7 will cost the state $6.4 million in revenue -- "not noticeable," a state fiscal officers says. That comment tells you everything you need to know about the mindset that rules Baton Rouge.