'Mind Your Own Business'

This is classic. Here you have a Massachusetts Democrat who voted for massive taxes on alcohol up in New Hampshire buying tax-free booze, then snapping at a citizen for pointing out his hypocrisy.

Naturally, he blames it on Republicans.

A Westport lawmaker who voted to hike the state sales and alcohol taxes was spotted brazenly piling booze in his car - adorned with his State House license plate - in the parking lot of a tax-free New Hampshire liquor store, the Herald has learned.

Michael J. Rodrigues’ blue Ford Crown Victoria, emblazoned with his “House 29” Massachusetts license plate, was parked outside a Granite State liquor store on Interstate-95 South over the weekend, according to a witness who provided pictures to the Herald.

The witness, who requested anonymity, claimed he approached Rodrigues, noted his State House plate, and asked if he was on personal or official business. Rodrigues, who was loading booze into his car, snapped “mind your own business,” the witness said.

The witness’ account was also posted yesterday on Citizens for Limited Taxation’s Web site.

A member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Rodrigues did not return several phone calls yesterday. But in an online interview with The Standard-Times in New Bedford, he acknowledged buying the booze during a bathroom stop while he and his wife were on a weekend getaway in New Hampshire.

He also blamed the brouhaha on “Republican demagoguery.”

“Unfortunately, I think that’s why the Republican Party is in such bad shape in Massachusetts,” Rodrigues is quoted as saying. “The electorate here is smart enough to figure out what they’re up to.”

Really? I think the electorate is catching on to these Democrat hacks who vote one way and live another.

The Westport Democrat, whose family owns a rug business, was among the lawmakers who voted in an unpopular 25 percent sales tax hike for Bay Staters. The increase pushed the sales tax to 6.25 percent and slapped that same levy on booze - the first time alcohol has been subject to retail sales tax.

The hike has been blasted by business owners, especially those on the New Hampshire border, who say the increase has driven business north.

Mike Cimini, owner of Yankee Spirits liquor stores in Sturbridge, Attleboro and Swansea, said he’s lost about 10 percent of his business since the booze tax went into effect Aug. 1.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable that a Massachusetts state representative would be that hypocritical, let alone be that bold to actually drive his car with political plates to a New Hampshire liquor store,” said Cimini, noting Rodrigues represents communities close to his stores. “He’s up in New Hampshire to avoid the very taxes he approved.”

These same turds would probably be at border liquor stores photographing license plates of Masschusetts residents and sending them a tax bill if they could get away with it, and believe me, I'm sure they've given it some thought.

H/T Spitfire Murphy.

Update: Howie Carr whacks the hack.

The competition is always fierce, but this morning we have a new Dumbest State Rep.

Come on down, Rep. Michael Rodrigues, (D-Westport). He’s in the mix every year for the coveted DSR award, a 50-year-old career layabout whose blinding intellect lights up the room like a three-watt bulb.

But now, he rises above the other perennial contenders for the coveted DSR award, more commonly known as the Kujawski. Wait ’til next year, John Rogers and Ben Swan.

In what may be a first, Rodrigues (rhymes with, “dumb as bricks”) snagged the award out of state - specifically, at a New Hampshire liquor store. When this photo was taken, Rodrigues was picking up some distilled spirits just after he voted to impose a 6.25 percent sales tax on liquor sales in the commonwealth.

In other words, do as he says, not as he does.

Being spotted at a New Hampshire state packy was stupid enough, but what makes it worse is that he was driving a Ford with his own personal House license plate - 29.

A call placed to Rodrigues yesterday was answered by his aide. She said he was at the State House but was on another line. I gave her my number but when the phone didn’t ring, I knew it was him. I called again. A machine answered. The rep was taking it on the lam.

Via Jules Crittenden.

Thanks to Instapundit for the link.