A Republican Against a Tax Cut?

Lest you think I'm referring to a lefty New England Republican, or a staunch conservative with a new-found softspot for maintaining revenue in order to provide vital public services, I'm afraid I'm going to have to disabuse you of the notion. I'm talking about Haley Barbour, current governor of the State of Mississippi and former RNC chairman.

What tax is he refusing to cut? The state tax on groceries (currently a whopping 7%). Why? Because the legislature decided to pay for it by upping the state tax, now currently the third lowest in the nation, on cigarettes.

As a name partner in one of the most successful lobby shops in DC before being governor, one with no less than 5 major tobacco companies on the client list, its looking a little like Barbour is governing with an eye towards the future. His financial future. Not so much the future of poor Mississippians (which isn't exactly a small percentage down there).

For shame.