Statehouse Circus and Amazing Rod

As much as possible, I try to watch the performances of the "Statehouse Circus" in Springfield.

It is on an extended run these days in the middle of our state. I didn't know that audience demand was that strong for this sort of thing, but I guess it is.

Just last week when I was watching the Statehouse Circus, "The Amazing Rod" was performing in the third ring. He was doing his famous populist illusion for which he is well-known.

On this occasion he created, out of thin air, a whole new benefit for senior citizens -- free transportation for all Illinois seniors if they travel on public transport in the Chicago metropolitan area.

What was slick about Rod's performance was he smiled a lot while doing his act and he told us that, somehow, he had taken a bad thing and made a good thing out of it.

This took everyone's mind completely off of the fact that the performers over in the circus' first and second rings had raised the state sales tax.

It wasn't until way, way later that I realized that the Amazing Rod had gone back on his promise not to raise taxes -- ever.

Rod, however, said that the tax increase was really needed and that he would sign off on a tax increase ASAP because his good deed made that bad thing OK now. See what I mean about his ability to create illusions?

But, I have to tell you that when I realized how joyful and happy he was and how nice his hair looked when announced that he would use other people's money (yours and mine) to provide this new benefit for the poor, downtrodden seniors, I just couldn't get mad at him. Who couldn't love someone who did good things for old people?

And just think about it, when I get taxed out of my house, I will be able to find a free place to spend my days and to sleep on one of the Metra or RTA trains that I will now be able to ride for free.

Charles F. Falk

Schaumburg