We’ve long believed the Louisiana state capitol in Baton Rouge had more than its fair share of con men inside.

But until recently we had no idea that burglars outnumbered the cons by such a whopping margin.

You do know the difference, don’t you?

Easy. A con man will rob you in plain sight, even while you’re watching. A burglar steals when no one is looking or when you’re asleep.

And unless Gov. Bobby Jindal decides to grow a spine over the next few days, the hard-working taxpayers of Louisiana will be burglarized by a majority of both the House and the Senate.

Lawmakers pushed through a bill that would more than double their own pay when no one was looking. They even waived their own procedures to get the matter to a quicker vote. The final bill passed Monday.

All that’s left is for Jindal to either sign the bill into law or veto it. Jindal has said publicly he will not veto the bill for fear that his veto will hamper efforts to get his agenda passed by the Legislature.

The bill gives legislators a 223-percent pay raise. The increase is so amazing, so utterly astounding that one would think the story were made up, part of some outlandish joke.

Unfortunately, it’s true and no one, but the lawmakers who sought the pay raise, are laughing.

Of the lawmakers representing Concordia Parish the two Democrats, Sen. Francis Thompson and Rep. John F. “Andy” Anders, both voted in favor of giving themselves the fat pay hike. Republican Sen. Neil Riser voted against the measure.

Jindal is the only sheriff taxpayers have to prevent the burglary of their funds.

The only thing worse than a burglar is a con man, who has the power to intervene, but chooses to stand by and watch you get robbed.