Incoherent policy

In the latest embarrassment to Bobby Jindal's school privatization program last week we learned that some voucher funded schools are using history textbooks which teach us about how "hippies" are well-known for worshiping the Devil. Okay, fine, at this point no one should be surprised to learn what's happened to Louisiana's "innovative" curriculum.

But this morning,  when Jindal released some (limited) details of his tax reform plan one aspect in particular drew some attention.

-SALES TAXES: Would increase Louisiana's state sales tax rate from 4 percent to 5.88 percent, which would boost Louisiana's combined local and state sales tax rate average to 10.75 percent, the highest in the country. State sales taxes would be charged on a new list of services not currently taxed, like haircuts, landscaping, cable TV, pet grooming, tanning salon visits, agricultural services and data services. 

And so Jindal, full in the knowledge that his schools are teaching that hippies are Satanists, has nonetheless decided to implement a new tax on haircuts. Luckily we already know the Governor has some expertise handling the externalizes such policy choices may engender.  Although he may choose to tax that service as well.

Update: Ah see now there's "ox goring" involved too.

Who’s going to pay?

That is the essential question any tax plan must answer. But Gov. Bobby Jindal and his top tax adviser were either unable or unwilling to answer it Thursday when they unveiled an overview of his plan to replace income and corporate taxes with higher sales taxes.

“Who’s ox will be gored?” as state Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, put it in an interview.

This is some bizarre occultism the Governor is dealing in.