There's no such thing as a 'free' ride

Governor Blagojevich gives himself "free" travel by charging Illinois taxpayers $5,800 every time he flies between the state capital he loathes and Chicago, the city he holds hostage.

Now he supports raising the Chicago region's transit tax and giving every senior citizen free mass transit services. As the tax hike and his enormous air shuttle charges show, there is no such thing as "free" services. Someone pays.

Giving free transit services to all seniors, regardless of how wealthy they may be, will force less-wealthy working stiffs to pay more through higher fares, higher taxes or reduced transit services.

Steve Stanek

McHenry