The legislature here in Texas is just now getting under way this week.  That's where people who spend tens of thosands of dollars, millions in some cases, to get elected to a job that pays $7200/year, get together to mess with our lives.

Case in point: Republican Bill Zedler of Arlington.  Republican.  The party of small, limited government.  Personal responsibility.  Individual liberty.  Right?

Zedler has introduced a bill to require strippers to get a stripper's license.  Yup.  Stripper's license:

The conservative lawmaker said he hopes the measure, if it passes, might encourage women to find another line of work.
"They won't want to get a license as a stripper from the state of Texas," Zedler said of his legislation. "I think it would keep a lot of girls from getting involved in that lifestyle and basically wrecking their lives.
"This will force everyone to clean up their act," he said. "Overall, it will be a benefit to everyone concerned."

If you're interested in some light reading, the text of the bill is here.

And you wonder why the GOP is viewed by many as being out of touch, hypocritcal and full of a bunch of old white guys. 

The strippers will have to "wear" their license while performing: 

"They could wear it around the neck ... or on their shoes ... or attached to a head band," Zedler suggested.

I wonder how many strip clubs Zedler has been to in his time.  Will any reporter have the stones to ask him?  After all, how does he know what kinds of regulations the strip club industry needs if he hasn't been there?  Exactly who is coming to Zedler clamoring for tougher regulations on strip clubs? 

You know what this is?  It's a big-government, sanctimonious I-know-how-to-live-your-life-better-than-you Republican who is determined to used the regulatory powers of the state to get what he wants because he thinks naked women are immoral.  Or he got cheated on a bad lap dance one time.  Or whatever.

Glad to see the GOP is using their time and resources wisely this session. Priorities, you know.