More Proof that Montana isn't Immune from Stupid Legislator Syndrome
February 18, 2005
5:33 a.m., MT
I yearn to be back in the wonderful American west. Like many, I think it's the best (possibly the only) area left in the U.S.S.A. where one can achieve an acceptable level of freedom. When I was first contemplating moving west, Montana was very attractive, mostly for economic reasons; but love took me to Wyoming. And I came to love Wyoming, very much. Others who are more widely traveled have recommended Idaho; some say that Washington state has remote pockets well-suited to freedom lovers.

I don't know where we'll end up when we load up our conestogas and head west again, but I do know that there'll be challenges. Despite the real cultural differences in the west, busybodies can be just as idiotic as anywhere else. Proof comes via a bill proposed in the Montana legislature that would levy additional taxes on so-called big-box retailers. From the Billings Gazette news report:

Big box stores like Wal-Mart cost the state money in social services and health care by denying workers a living wage, a Helena Democrat said Tuesday in urging legislators to approve a tax on those stores.

Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena, wants to see a sliding-scale tax for businesses with retail sales of more than $20 million. The measure would only tax those stores that give full-time entry-level employees a compensation package of less than $22,000 a year and have half their employees working fewer than 40 hours a week.

A similar bill targeting retailers with sales of more than $10 million failed in the 2003 legislature. The governor has said he isn't in favor of new taxes, so it's unlikely that this idiocy will become law. But that's insufficient protection from Stupid Legislator Syndrome for this anarchist chick.

Sunni

Replies: 4 individuals have opined

On Tuesday, February 22nd, Paul said:

Unfortunately the concept and actions of the nosey big nanny state is so pervasive in our culture that no matter what state you live in you can't fully escape it.However I think it would be a mistake to assume that it's the same in all 50 states. Overall I believe that Montana and Wyoming are better than most states and certainly much better than places like Kalifornia and Taxachusetts.

On Friday, February 18th, charley said:

we gotta get out of this place.

On Friday, February 18th, Sunni said:

You want to hear about pathetic scoundrels ... I read a news article last night about W's tax commission or whatever it's called considering moving from income tax to consumption taxes. This idea has been touted by leashitarians as a better brand of thievery, but deep in the article the truth came out. Instead of switching from one to the other, most likely we'll end up with both.

Anyone with a desire to test his or her gag reflex can view the Seattle Times article.

On Friday, February 18th, charley said:

"...denying workers a living wage". is that like how the hot chick at the local bar denied me a POA last week?

worker to wal-mart: "can i haves a 'living wage'?"

wal-mart: "sure, go get one. bye!"

state to wal-mart: "here's a gun to your head for daring to offer contracts."

nation of pathetic scoundrels.