And speaking of the Florida Legislature

The know-it-alls at the local fish wrapper have an editorial that instructs us, the great unwashed.

Floridians in general have no cause to complain about taxes: According to the Tax Foundation, Florida's state and local tax burden ranks 47th among the 50 states. At 7.4 percent of taxpayers' income, it is well below the national average of 9.7 percent.

A recession is not a good time to raise taxes, but if the state is at the point of denying glasses and hearing aids to the poor and turning out the highway lights, it's time to consider tax increases.

Glasses and hearing aids for the poor? What the hell!! Peanuts! The real budget problem centers around education. Yep, you got a problem funding the educational system for your precious heir? And you voted for the incredibly expensive "class size amendment" a couple of years ago so precious will learn so much more in a smaller class? Wow, more teachers and more schools are needed? Who knew these would have to be paid for! Damn, life is so unfair.

So let's just increase taxes. Wouldn't want to admit that we made one helluva mistake. Of course, we could correct that and cut down on the expensive outlays. But why bother, it's only taxes. Besides...it's for the children.

Members of the statewide teachers union are pushing to raise the state's sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent for three years, with the extra percentage going to education. Senate leaders have proposed asking voters to consider the sales tax hike, but that step is an uphill struggle.

There are some logical tax increases that the Senate is set to consider this week and that even the most stalwart conservative lawmakers should stop ignoring. Among them:

Increasing the cigarette tax: This should be a no-brainer. The tax has not been increased since 1990 and, at 34 cents, it is fifth lowest in the nation. A $1 increase would raise an estimated $870 million. Polls say 80 percent of Floridians would favor a cigarette tax increase. (Hey! Didn't I just post on the Feds raising tax on ciggies? Yes, I did. So let's just add another buck on top of that. This can't have negative consequences...can it?)

Repealing some sales tax exemptions: The state allows some $12 billion in sales tax exemptions. Most of them — about $10 billion, by some estimates — are for necessities. But that leaves some $2 billion in exemptions that the Legislature can and should re-evaluate.

Wow...billions more for the state treasury. Wonder where that's going to come from? Probably a Democrat money fairy. I hear there's lots of them.