* This is just a ridiculous quote from the governor about the mass transit fiasco…

“I think the wait was well worth it because the result is very, I think, significant for the people in the Chicagoland area as well as for our senior citizens all across Illinois who are going to see an improvement in their quality of life.”

The governor’s refusal to support a package of tax hikes and worker pension reforms is what caused the wait in the first place. In the end, everything he opposed became law. The only thing he did was anger the Legislature and the public with his senior freebie idea. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of commuters throughout Chicagoland were on pins and needles for months wondering how they’d get to work every day, or the store, or school, or the doctor. And it turns out their anxiety was all about a silly press pop that has badly backfired on the governor.

Worth the wait? Hardly…

If the bill had passed in May, the CTA already would have realized more than $60 million in savings

That would have more than paid for the senior discount.

* Truly, the man has no shame…

“I know some [legislators] are angry at me, but they really ought to take a deep breath and stop and look in the mirror and frankly realize what we’ve gotten done here: Transit systems are solvent. They shouldn’t be so angry. They ought to be happy,” he said.

It’s not just legislators who are angry, governor. You’re dilly-dallying has caused a lot of unnecessary anxiety and your blatantly political move has backfired badly with the public…

“I did not get one phone call in support of the governor’s action,” said Rep. Harry Osterman, D-Chicago. “I would assume most of the people in the state saw right through his action.”

* That being said, the opposition to and anger about the senior freebie seems mean-spirited and entirely illogical. Reporters seemed to key in on this statement by Senate President Jones…

“When I go to McDonald’s and get my coffee, I get a senior discount,” said Jones, who is 72. “They don’t ask me how much money I make.”

That’s not all he said. Jones also pointed out that Chicago gives a discount to every senior regardless of income for their car stickers. Seniors get a discount regardless of income on their property taxes. The list goes on and on. Almost nobody complains about those things. Heck, seniors already get a discount for many transit rides. When has anyone ever grumbled about that?

* Jones also made this point, which I think is probably valid…

Jones said lawmakers were angry only because they didn’t think of the free-ride idea. “Had it been included in the bill (originally), some of these same folks would have jumped up and praised it,” Jones said.

* And even the city council is looking to help out the oldsters…

To sugarcoat the bitter pill of yet another tax increase, Finance Committee Chairman Edward M. Burke (14th) and Police Committee Chairman Isaac Carothers (29th) are talking about following the governor’s lead. They want to exempt seniors from a transfer tax increase that would amount to $900 on the sale of a $300,000 home. […]

“You’re in the twilight of your life. Your income is fixed. You’re not working. Why burden seniors even further with another tax if they decide to sell their property? If [the tax is applied to] a senior buyer, maybe they could be exempt as well,” Carothers said.

* Some comments posted here about letting seniors ride free have been ridiculously over the top. It is not right and really stupid to make such derogatory comments about old people when what you’re really angry about is Rod Blagojevich. Cool it or go away if you can’t contain yourselves. My blog, my rules. If you don’t like it, go to a public park and scream to your heart’s content.

[The last paragraph from the original post may have been in error, for which I apologize. Until I find out for sure, consider it gone for good.]

*** UPDATE *** On a much lighter note, Mike Flannery at CBS 2 showed an image of our “Overtime in Hell” t-shirt last night. Click here for the story. Click here to buy a shirt.

Thanks, Mike. You made my day. (Hat tip: OneMan]