Let's see, a tax on those who stay at local lodging establishments qualifies as "taxation without representation." Yes, I realize it is tempting to siphon off money from those visitors who have no representation and no choice. Oh, wait! Visitors do have a choice: they can choose to go somewhere else after seeing the added "transient" tax. 

So, politicians, think clearly about your motives. Do you want to see more visitors, bringing more money to the area? Or, do you want to see fewer visitors? I suggest that taxing visitors to support local civic projects is unwise.