OK, we get the message

So: What do we all think of that looming 6% services tax?

Business groups lobbied intensely Thursday to kill a widely despised 6% tax on many services, approved Oct. 1 by the Legislature as one solution to bail the state out of a $1.8-billion deficit. (Freep, 1A Friday)

Negotiations broke down between the House and Senate over the widely despised service tax late Wednesday, boosting chances the unpopular levy* will go into effect on Saturday. (Detroit News, 1A Thursday)

There's plenty of anecdotal evidence that businesses don't like the tax. If there's any survey research that sheds light on public opinion in general, the rival blatts appear to have ignored it (on public radio, which with typical brie-eating weenyness can barely muster a "widely disliked," somebody just acknowledged that the general public is "maybe not as engaged in this" as the advocates are). Until we can all agree to stop confusing business opinion with public opinion, then, it'd be nice if we can get some substitutes up off the bench and ready for those poor overworked adjectives. I propose:

"Saffron-colored service tax"
"War-torn service tax"

Other nominees? Send 'em in.

* Memo to the News: As a rule, it's better to go from the general to the specific, rather than the other way 'round.