Texas re-institutes the Poll Tax…..

… err, I mean “Pole Tax.”

This new tax is a Pole Tax, as in a $5 tax on each customer who enters a strip joint that serves alcohol. Currently the Pole Tax faces an uncertain future pending an appeal in federal court. The last time the Courts considered poll taxes, I believe they didn't do so well. However courts may be more sympathetic in upholding a Texas Pole Tax. There might be some objections from Justice Thomas if it gets that far, I can see him having issues with this on two levels. First on the off chance he confuses it for a "poll" tax used to keep African American and poor whites from voting in the south, he won't like it one bit (this is an obvious cheapshot at the good Judge). Next, as a tax on Strippers, I don't think he'll be sympathetic to that either.

I really should not be writing about Poll Taxes on the off chance that Texas Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) or any other Texas politicians read his post and get the bright idea to reinstate the “Poll Tax” as a means of reducing turnout. They always seem to be thinking up new ways to keep folks from the polls.