Self-Inflicted

Sometimes you shoot yourself in the foot.  Sometimes you don't.  In 2005, Louisiana experienced devastation after the twin hits of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Katrina hit the eastern-most parishes and veered off into Mississippi.  Rita roared ashore two weeks later and savaged the western-most parishes.

That hit came from Mother Nature and we suffered for several months, in some cases for a couple of years.  We experienced a huge outward migration of people.  Baton Rouge doubled in size almost overnight as folks from New Orleans fled north to the next metro area.  Many wound up in Houston.

This one is different.  It's self-inflicted.  The ravages of covid-19 are mainly caused by government, doing what they think is necessary.  Many o us disagree.  But, the Advocate, the daily wipe from Baton Rouge is starting to notice.

Louisiana state lawmakers on Monday received a sobering glimpse of the state’s economic downturn, which one economist warned would be worse than the one experienced after Hurricane Katrina, as officials race to figure out how much tax money the state will lose as the budget is thrown into turmoil.

Duuh?  You think?  When you wreck the business climate in Louisiana, which wasn't known for a business-friendly climate.   When you  through thousands of Louisianans out of work, you think it might impact tax revenues?

Katrina and Rita weren't the governor's fault, but it sealed her political future.  When she broke down in tears, Louisiana turned away from her.  This hit is entirely the governor's fault, and he's not doing anything to mitigate the damage to the tax system.  He is enhancing it.  While other states around us are opening up, Louisiana is mired in a stay-at-home order. 

The one thing that is ramping up is the black market.  I know that I'd personally rather buy from folks who have lost jobs, either in goods or services, to help then out during this idiocy.  The state draws no tax from that, and it is ramping up quickly.

The governor is going to have to learn to make-do on a whole lot less money.  And, as a Republican, I believe that smaller government is a great boon.

Let Freedom Ring.