Higher Taxes Never Pay

Virginia Republicans have proven too clever by half. Thinking they could hike taxes by calling it by another name -- in this case, "abuser fees" -- Democrats, who, of course, went along with the plan, are now hammering away at the tax-hiking GOP.

The Washington Post reports how regret is quickly spreading among the ranks:

On doorsteps, in e-mails and in phone calls, candidates are hearing from thousands of voters that the fees, which apply to the state's most egregious driving offenses and in some cases reach $3,000, must be repealed. The GOP-controlled legislature and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) supported the fees to finance road and transit improvements. [...]

The fees are expected to raise $65 million a year for transportation improvements.

"I think the fact that we are only penalizing Virginia drivers is patently unfair," said O'Brien, who voted for the fees but now wants a special session before the election, as does Devolites Davis. Kaine has said he will not call a special session.

Just last week, Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William), who had supported the fees, joined a growing list of legislators calling for repeal, saying the measures are "beyond repair."

"Scott is listening to his constituents," said House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). "I guess it's fair game for challengers."

The Post says Republicans are now in danger of losing the state legislature. Hard to see how this would be a fate undeserved.

Cultural Condescension

From the Daily News. Here's today's lede editorial on a gun raffle Virginia gun makers organized in honor of Mayor Bloomberg:

"Well, golly gee, Gomer, that were a butt-kickin' gun giveaway down in ol' Virginny t'other night, weren't it?" In case you missed it, something called the Virginia Citizens Defense League held a "Bloomberg Gun Giveaway" to raise funds to pay the legal fees of firearms dealers who are being sued by Mayor Mike for illegally selling weapons.

According to the league, the prizes were "a beautiful Para Ordinance [sic] PX745E handgun" and "a sweet Browning Varmint Stalker," and we thank the league for offering the rare opportunity to use the words "sweet," "varmint" and "stalker" in the same sentence.

The weapons were said to be worth about $1,000 apiece, which, as civilized people know, is nowhere near the value of a single human life, approximately 29,500 of which are lost in the U.S. annually because of guns.

What might happen, I wonder, were a Virginia paper to do the same, except using the broken English of ebonics to rip New Yorkers? The Daily News would scream racism. Good thing liberal elitists are incapable of anything so dastardly.

Virginia Is (Not) for Smokers

Will Virginia, the state whose flag features a patriot proudly atop a dead tyrant, impose its own tyranny? Leesburg Today reports:

The smoking section may become a relic of the past if the governor gets his way. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) announced yesterday that he is amending a house bill to ban smoking in restaurants. The original text of the bill would require restaurants that permit smoking to post warning signs near their entrances. Current law requires restaurants that seat 50 or more people to have designated smoking and nonsmoking sections.

The governor said in a press release that he is opposed to a complete smoking ban in all public places, but that a ban is needed in restaurants "to protect the health of both patrons and employees."

Seems so.