TMQ BS Lovely column by the man, but this part doesn't scan. After castigating Judge Moore as an "incompetent lunatic," Easterbrook says:

And consider that in the same state, Alabama, where the Judge Moore sideshow is getting nonstop media attention, Republican Gov. Bob Riley is risking his political neck to campaign for tax-law changes that would increase taxes on the well-off while exempting everyone who makes less than $17,000 annually. Gov. Riley phrases the campaign in religious terms, saying, "According to our Christian ethics, we're supposed to love God, love each other and help take care of the poor." How come this pure and admirable Christian sentiment gets no media attention while the egomaniac with the hunk of stone in the same state's courthouse enjoys round-the-clock coverage?

Pure and admirable Christian sentiment, sure, but no way to work out a tax code. Some of us, Reverend Easterbrook, might not be Christian, and might therefore not want to pay our taxes "[a]ccording to Christian ethics." This is what I meant by separation of church and state at the wallet's edge. Suggested campaign theme for Governor Riley: "Tax the Christians!"