“Give Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal credit for doing the right thing sooner rather than later. Jindal acted faster than, say, former Governor Gray Davis of California. In 2003, Davis tripled California’s car tax, provoking widespread anger. Finally, Davis agreed it should be repealed … but only after voters were about to recall him. Voters weren’t mollified, and Davis was duly ousted. In Louisiana, the scam didn’t touch taxpayers’ wallets so directly. As symbolism, though, it bit painfully enough. Out of the blue, legislators more than doubled their salaries. The hike would have taken effect in the same session. Governor Jindal had promised to veto any such pay raise. But he flip-flopped.” (08/26/08)