I spent last evening (blissfully ignorant of what would happen at 6 this morning) with one of our State Representatives, Julie Hamos.  Among other things, she has been the most vocal advocate for public transportation in our state legislature.  As you can imagine, there are many many seats at all levels of government in IL about to open up, as a result of Obama winning and taking half the town with him, and the shake up at the State Capital.  She's planning a run for a higher office, but I won't say what since she's not officially announced.

Anyway, here's why you care:  Her plan for funding the overhauling of our transportation system?  GAS TAX.  She said that, and there was a momentary silence in the room, and I began clapping, and so everyone else began clapping.  She said if she'd proposed such a thing a year ago, people would have laughed, but right now we just might be able to pull something like it off.  I thought of Jerome and the heat he gets on DKos for proposing a gas tax.  Well, there are actually elected officials here on the ground embracing the idea now.   It took some guts for her to put that out there.  I was really impressed.

Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.