LOCAL LEGISLATOR ATTEMPTS TO RAISE TAXES ON STRIPPERS TO LOWER TAXES ON GOLD COINS, BULLION, AND INVESTMENT INCOME

         I've been afraid to look into what the General Assembly in Nashville has been up to for the past few days.  We took a quickie trip out of town over the weekend, and I guess the fresh air made me reluctant to open the lid on the septic tank we call our State Legislature... But sometimes you just have to do unpleasant things.
         Republican Rep. Joe Carr of Lascassas had sponsored a measure that would attempt to reduce taxes on folks who buy gold coins, bullion, or who have investment income by increasing taxes on strippers.  You read that right.  Rep. Joe wanted to be able to tell wealthy folks who have gold coin collections or investment income their taxes would be coming down, thanks to him.  I guess a tax on strippers could be called a "Pole Tax"?
         What a douche.  Rep. Carr reasoned that strip clubs lower property values in their vicinity, so therefore the women who work there should pay more taxes on the dollar bills drunken idiots (like off-duty state legislators) slip under their G-strings.   The measure was killed by a judiciary subcommittee which sent the bill to a "study" committee after the legislative session ends. 
          Imagine the relief around the cigarette barrel at Deja Vu.

          Also sent to Bill Purgatory was a measure designed to prevent mountaintop removal coal mining in Tennessee.  Republicans said any effort to stop the destruction of Tennessee's scenic beauty was a job-killer, so they voted to send the bill to "study", too. 

          That's what our legislators are up to.  Making sure coal corporations have unfettered access to ruin our state's environment, and trying to raise taxes on strippers.

          We're so proud.