Unfortunate priorities, interesting timing

On Monday, Charlie-in-chief Grabauskas's answer to excess demand for MBTA capacity: encourage the good folks responding to $4.00 gas by crowding his trains, trolleys, and buses to ride off-peak.

On Tuesday, Governor Patrick's request to the state legislature: $3 billion for state bridge repair.

The timing is coincidental, but the message is horrible. Mass transit has to make do, while car and truck drivers get an enormous boost to their existing subsidy.

But, waaaaaiiit, you cry. I'm not suggesting we let bridges fall apart am I?

No. We've got to fix them. But, drivers need to pick up the tab, or a big part of it. In the form of an increased gas tax. It's only fair.