In recent years, the price of gasoline has soared as the supply of crude oil has risen in response to unprecedented global demand.

But never fear, Uncle Sam is here! Citing the need to decrease our country's dependence on foreign and potentially unreliable sources of energy, Congress, encouraged by President Bush, has passed laws mandating that ever-greater quantities of corn-based ethanol be produced, and subsidizing this production with tens of billions of dollars.

Some may disagree, but I believe that this pension "crisis" the state finds itself in right now is almost completely bogus. And since Governor Rod Blagojevich has called what looks to be a never-ending special legislative session to deal with this problem, I figured I'd weigh in.

During the second half of the 20th Century, union officials prospered mightily, while millions of rank-and-file union members saw their jobs vanish. Since union policy is set by the bosses, I am not optimistic for significant reforms, but since my heart is with the rank-and-file workers rather than with elitist union hierarchies, I will offer some suggestions for what the unions of tomorrow need to do if they truly want to help their members.

As the state legislative overtime session drags along and Statehouse types begin half-joking about October as a possible adjournment date and pass on rumors that the governor is prepared to continue doing one-month budgets until January if necessary, it might be important to take a step back from the brink and take a look at where we are.