Redistribution, Cincinnati-Style

In Washington:

House Democrats have proposed an income surtax on the highest wage-earners to help pay for a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system. The proposal, which has little support in the Senate, would generate roughly $550 billion over 10 years.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati:

Cincinnati panhandlers would have to pay a fee to register, pay earnings tax on their collections and toss their hand-written “Please Help” signs under a plan to be proposed next month.

Saying panhandling is as much of a business as, say, selling hotdogs, Councilman Jeff Berding is working on a plan he says will help make the city more appealing to residents and tourists.

I'm beginning to understand why this area has a "conservative" reputation...