Whose Brilliant Idea Was This?

A bipartisan group of elected [Louisiana state] representatives has opted to ban all cash payments for the buying and selling of used goods.

Though House Bill 195 was intended to make it easier to track the sales of stolen goods by giving police a paper trail to follow, the unintended consequences could be much more widespread. Namely, the law requires second-hand sales be made paid for with credit cards, paper checks, electronic transfer or money orders. Cash is prohibited.

  Raw Story

So how do poor people buy clothes and furniture at Salvation Army?

The law also requires second-hand sellers to obtain personal information about each buyer — information like names, addresses, driver’s license number and even, if applicable, their license plate number — and turn it over to state officials.

[...]

“Interestingly enough, although [p]awnshops are still required to obtain clients personal information and transmit their client database information to law enforcement, they are exempt from the restriction of cash payments.”

Again, I ask, whose brilliant idea was this? And does he own a pawn shop?

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.