And for my next trick Here’s a bright idea from a Republican congressional candidate: Fund NASA by taxing science fiction. (Spotted by Mac Thomason of War Liberal.)

[Michael] Williams proposes a 1 percent “NASA tax” on science fiction books, science fiction comic books, space sciences books and any other space-related literature.

The tax would also apply to “space, space-related, and science fiction toys, puzzles and games,” Williams said in a listing of his platform.

Yes, let’s take a cause’s most loyal supporters, and reward them by imposing a special tax just for them.

I suppose this approach might be endorsed by those who think no one should have to pay taxes save for programs they personally support, but it’s hard to see how anyone could imagine this was (1) possible, (2) politically smart, or (3) likely to survive more than a nanosecond of constitutional scrutiny. (I do like the idea of the government having to rule on what is and isn’t science fiction. And just after we lost Damon Knight, too.)

Williams “holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.” I do so regret being a high-school dropout. Not! [10:25 AM]