Efforts to raise the taxing power of government are usually rationalized by some high-minded rhetoric. But once in a while, the pretty language is discarded, and in its place comes the admission that raw political power will be used for self-enrichment.

Such is reported to be the case in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The last election resulted in a sea change in political power. Formerly, the Legislature was split between Republican (House) and Democratic (Senate) control.

One blogger relays a phone call with a member of the House, who heard what was probably the whiff of overconfidence from one of his colleagues: "When you guys win, you get to keep your money. When we win, we take your money."

One economics professor correctly calls this the tax tyranny of the majority. Perhaps it's time for Minnesota, not to mention other states, to enact a Taxpayers Bill of Rights.