Tax 'em if you got 'em

Possible candidates in the running for 'Genius of the Week':

Bozeman lawmakers propose higher alcohol taxes

First up:

"Rep. Chris Harris, D-Bozeman, is bringing back a bill that would raise taxes on beer, wine and liquor to pay for the prevention and treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS a disabling birth defect caused by alcohol consumption."

I'm sure that this is merely a mistake in writing and not the true intent of the proposal but is it possible to actually 'pay for the prevention' of anything?

"House Bill 252 is similar to a proposal Harris brought before lawmakers in 2003. That bill didn't make it out of committee, and Harris gives this attempt a less-than-50/50 shot of success."

I'm not exactly what you would call a 'betting man' but these look like pretty lousy odds.

"But that doesn't mean it's not worth doing, because maybe more people will focus on the problem," he said Wednesday."

Yo Harris, check this out. Maybe the 'problem' is that you want to tax drinking. I know it's a novel thought, but think it over.

Enter candidate #2:

"In the other chamber, Sen. Mike Wheat, D-Bozeman, has introduced a bill that would place a 5-cents-per-can tax on beer. The new tax would pay for alcohol abuse prevention programs. Wheat's bill has yet to be assigned a number."

Here's my suggestion for the number: HB-Hell NO!

"Both lawmakers look at their proposals in the same light as the tobacco tax, which is used to cover the cost of tobacco-related social ills."

With all due respect...my ass!

"It's a use tax," Wheat said. "You don't have to pay it unless you use the product."

Really? And I suppose the 'use' tax that the great state of Montana placed on diesel fuel doesn't really factor into the price of my beer that was delivered to the store via an 18 wheeler, right?

"Blazer also said passing a beer tax would send the wrong message to out-of-state brewers who buy Montana barley."

WTF?

God help this country.