I've heard a lot of outrageous Big Government stories in my day, but here's one that wins the prize. LA Times' Steve Lopez reports that owners of a mom and pop Chinese restaurant in the San Fernando Valley are under deep (and questionable) scrutiny by California state auditors, specifically the Board of Equalization, for allegedly under-reporting sales taxes.

I oppose tax evaders and cheats and believe the under-ground economy has disastrous consequences for society - look no further than Greece. However, I am equally opposed to big government harassing small business owners.

Let's break down the facts reported by Lopez:

The owners, Sander and "Mama" Ho, are the sole workers at Tasty China, the restaurant under scrutiny.
Lopez' lunch for two, with tax and drinks, came to just over $12.
Many customers buy only a $1 carton of white rice.
The restaurant is small and rarely filled to capacity.
The Ho's dwell in a one-bedroom North Hollywood apartment.
Yet, BOE auditors claim the couple owes the state more than $9,000 in under-paid sales tax from the past three years.

First of all, it's dubious whether the couple owes that much - or any - money. But what strikes me as illogical and a gross waste of taxpayers' money is the fact that the BOE has probably spent more money on the investigation than the $9,000 bill the Ho's supposedly owe - especially when you consider Tasty China was visited by auditors on four different occasions, including a 10-hour visit by one BOE employee.

One thing is for sure: The couple will close shop because they don't have the $9,000 and they can't afford an attorney. In the process of the BOE's questionable investigative findings, two more California jobs and one more small business will be eliminated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When it comes to the job market, the grass isn't always greener

In a recent Washington Post article, "Five Myths About Green Energy," Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Robert Bryce sheds light on the mythical green job industry, saying:

"The very concept of a green job is not well defined. Is a job still green if it's created not by the market, but by subsidy or mandate?"

Bryce, who released his fourth book last week, "Power Hungry: The Myths of 'Green' Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future," goes on to say:

"Growth Energy, an industry lobby group, says increasing the percentage of ethanol blended into the U.S. gasoline supply would create 136,000 jobs. But an analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that no more than 27,000 jobs would be created, and each one could cost taxpayers as much as $446,000 per year.

"Sure, the government can create more green jobs. But at what cost?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stamp Out Hunger - The Nation's Largest Food Drive

On Saturday, May 8, mail carriers in more than 10,000 communities across the country will collect donated canned food and deliver it to local food banks to help the millions of Americans, including 16.7 million children, who face hunger every day.

Since 1993, families participating in Stamp Out Hunger have donated nearly 1 billion pounds of food.

Here's how you can participate: Place bags filled with nonperishable food items like canned meats, fish, soup, juice and vegetables, pasta, cereal and rice next to your mailbox on Saturday, May 8. Your mail carrier will pick up the bags and deliver them to your local food bank.

To learn more, visit www.HelpStampOutHunger.com.