O Maryland, O'Malley's Land ...

Maryland comprises a small portion of the Greater D.C. Metroplex, and yet is responsible for a surprising amount of the area's political stupidity, which is really saying something, as the fine political sages running the District of Columbia are among Maryland's competition.

Maryland citizens' political betters in Annapolis are baffled by the following series of events, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.

First, Maryland's getting a little short on cash, having dumped taxpayer funds into such revenue generating enterprises as supporting CASA, a private charity involved setting up illegal alien employment centers. (At least some folks seem to be opposed to CASA's vision statement advocating "strong, economically and ethnically diverse communities in which all people – especially women, low-income people, and workers – can participate and benefit fully, regardless of their immigration status." There's so much wrong in all of this that it's difficult to know where to begin).

Second, in order to offset this shortfall in revenue, Maryland decided to double its cigarette tax from $1.00 to $2.00 per pack and watch the revenue pour in. (Note also that Maryland raised taxes on lots and lots of other items and activities at the same time, to which GorT can surely attest).

Third, as noted in the WSJ linked article, the anticipated revenue tsunami has not materialized.

Fourth, Maryland pols are baffled at the idea that if you raise taxes on an item, people will use less of it, resulting in lower revenues. See generally, price elasticity. And, not coincidentally, widespread tax avoidance flows from poorly contemplated cigarette taxing decisions (buying out of state, from Indian reservations, or from criminal enterprises).

Lacking its planned revenue tsunami, Maryland's Elected Betters undoubtedly will now dream up a new revenue stream (read tax increase) to extract additional money from the suckers -- er, taxpayers -- continuing to live in the Old Line State. Enjoy, Free Staters.