So Chicago's Cook County has cooked up a sinister plan to raise property, gas, parking and sales taxes in order to make up for the budget shortfall. It's an old story. But one brave soul, speaking up in our message boards, just ain't gonna take anymore:

"It truly saddens me that ComEd, CTA, Daley, Stroger, and other companies continue to raise taxes without legitimate reason! They raise taxes and costs so that they can meet their budget which tells me that they are mismanaging the funds they collect throughout the year, which in turn hurts the citizens of Chicago. I don't understand why we don't have a voice of reason speaking up for the citizens. Most of us live our lives check-to-check and yet we manage. We are not a common concern for Daley or the rest of them, as long as they get their money. I believe they are truly mismanaging the funds and I wish someone would stand up for the citizens of Chicago and put an end to all of these tax hikes! It just doesn't make any sense." -ConcernedCitizen1

I'm not really sure what he means by companies raising taxes (companies generally being in the business of creating value while taking it away from others would be the government's job) but his heart is in the right place. And it warms mine. Yes, warm and fuzzy feelings of civic commiseration all around.