More Transit Woes

Ridership on public transit in Chicago is up 10% this year thanks to high gas prices. Great news for the CTA right? Unfortunately, the increase in ridershp is only exacerbating the financial problems at the chronically underfunded agency. You'd think that now would be precisely the time for this city, state, and country to be investing in better public transit. You'd be wrong.

Our inept and corrupt political culture at the state and local level seems to know no limits. Our current governor, a Democrat, is largely ineffective, as well as likely a criminal. Our prior governor, a Republican, is a convicted criminal. Mayor Daley, much as there is to admire about him, presides over a system of graft and cronyism. Then add in the perpetual city versus suburb tug-of-war on top of everything else. Its a wonder that anything gets done.