Its amazing how one simple sentence can make my blood boil so quickly.  Generally I enjoy what Mike Nichols writes... but this sent me over the edge:

We already have a mechanism in this state, the thing is, for income redistribution. It's called the state income tax. Income redistribution is a valid function of government, and one that is openly debated in Madison all the time.

Income redistribution is a valid function of government?!!!!  THE HELL IT IS!!!

What's funny is that the overall theme of the post, about how MATC is taking money from suburbs without providing them representation, is very good.  It would be even better to point out that it's an unelected board.  But that one sentence just destroyed it for me.

Update:  Mike has added a comment clarifying what he said in his original post:

I guess I'm guilty of using too much jargon. Wealth or income is redistributed all the time. Basically, that's what happens when people are taxed and, for better or worse, money is shifted elsewhere for schools or poorer municipalities or people directly receiving various sorts of government assistance. Many people often argue those programs or subsidies are too big, but it's pretty rare to hear somebody say they shouldn't exist at all.

"but it's pretty rare to hear somebody say they shouldn't exist at all".  Hi Mike.  My name is Nick... and I'm a Libertarian.  We believe funny things like that.