Chicago Classic: Commuters & Coyotes

Chicago is bankrupt, cash flow is drying up, public union pensions still flow green as the Chicago River on St. Paddy's Day. Rahmbo wants a casino but it may be a no go. The state's on the ropes too and dud grenades on the streets, a plea for grenade control if I ever heard one. What to do--Rahm's brain trust comes up with some ideas, leaving the unsustainable union pensions looming. From the email bag, one of my dryly humorous girlfriends:

I love how Rahm is floating the concept of a city income tax.   Chicago's income tax base is too small for long term financial relief, but it certainly would help in the short run, before businesses could move their operations.   With the city's large dependent population not paying the tax, and public pension benefits likely excluded, Rahm would nail suburban commuters, not "his" voters.  Perhaps not a bad idea after all......

Of course most Chicago aldermen are eating this up:

  “We pay tolls to get into other suburbs,” said Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5^th. “I guess membership has its privileges. A lot of people come into the city of Chicago.”

Also willing to consider the commuter tax was Ald. Pat Dowell, 3^rd.

“I think a commuter tax is sensible,” Dowell said. “I think that’s something that could be looked at. People that live outside the city and work in the city utilize our streets, our transportation systems. They’re in Chicago. They’re out of Chicago. Perhaps there’s a price to be put on that.”

Asked if she was more open to taxing suburbanites because they don’t elect her, Dowell smiled and gave a quick nod.

Some commuter reaction:

CaptAhab2 at 9:43 AM September 28, 2011 “We pay tolls to get into other suburbs,” said Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5th. “I guess membership has its privileges. A lot of people come into the city of Chicago.”

???????? WHAT TOLLS????? Is She refering to the tollway system???

If so,  the case could be made that she is paying to LEAVE Chicago/

WHAT MEMBERSHIP??????????

PUT DOWN THE PIPE AND sober up.

Richard S. at 9:12 AM September 28, 2011 What are these aldermen smoking:
“We pay tolls to get into other suburbs,” said Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5th. “I guess membership has its privileges. A lot of people come into the city of Chicago."
Well suburbanites pay tolls to come into Chicago. Did you forget about that Leslie Hairston?
"People that live outside the city and work in the city utilize our streets, our transportation systems. They’re in Chicago. They’re out of Chicago. Perhaps there’s a price to be put on that.”
And while in Chicago these people shop and pay your outrageous tax of 10.5% on food and merchandise. Now you want to tax them for coming into the city? Maybe you want to pay a tax when you go out to the suburbs?

And let it be noted many near suburbanites already subsidize Chicago's corrupt and dysfunctional Cook County bigtime.

Meanwhile, bankrupt Chicago continues on its merry way, running low on dead voters--or buying swamp with taxpayer dollars, take your pick (I wonder who the seller is connected to) and public union garbage collectors inexplicably get sick on Mondays and Fridays, forcing a cutback on rodent patrol.

I suggest more coyotes. That great street.

Leftists running out of other peoples' money, running 'em out of town.

  --thanks for the recommended read, Pundit & Pundette