The over/under on President Obama rescinding his 15-cent federal surtax on Christmas trees is 6 pm Thursday.  Any takers? 

The Department of Agriculture tax is supposed to help support the image of the Christmas tree industry — paid for by people already buying Christmas trees. Huh? 

And if Christmas trees are taking a hit, why not allow them back into public spaces alongside menorahs? But that’s another issue. 

Fifteen cents ain’t much, but it’s the principle of the thing.  Why in bloody hell would anyone buying a Christmas tree have to pay an extra red cent to promote the sellers? Only the federal government could dream this one up. 

Six ‘o’clock PM EST tomorrow. That’s my bet. Otherwise, President Obama will have a Scrooge Tax to defend. No one can endure that. 

 UPDATE: Those of you who took the under are winners.  The White House threw in the towel shortly after 1:00 pm today and shelved the “Scrooge Tax.”