A tax hike is a tax hike unless you’re a politician. Then it’s called “limiting select (tax) exemptions to provide sufficient resources to meet public priorities.” At least that’s how Gov. Deval Patrick put it in his fiscal 2011 budget plan, filed yesterday.

Recall that last year Beacon Hill “lifted the sales tax exemption” on alcohol (also known as a second tax on booze). Now the governor wants to “lift the sales tax exemption” on candy and soda. That’s a vice tax on certain foods that, if consumed in excess, might be bad for us.