Decline and fall, cont.

There was much ado in the public prints and electrons about Chicago's closing down today – no libraries, no garbage collection, no clerk's office open. It was traumatic for citizens of the place who count on finding those services right there when they go for them. Sub-federal political entities are beset by terrible budget troubles that will get worse before they get better. From a piece in the WaPo:

NEW YORK -- As states across the country grapple with the worst economy in decades, most have cut services, forced workers to take unpaid days off, shut offices several days a month and scrambled to find new sources of revenue.

Read it all here. California has taken some steps to hold on that range from embarrassing to downright sleazy. Wonder when someone's gonna snap to the Argentine govt's stunt of taking over retirement accts and try that?