A New Start?

As I sit here this morning in the cold, tired from all of the early starts this week. I am wondering and really hoping that this next week will be a new start for us as a state and country.

I was impressed with the rhetoric and demeanor of our new Senate President, John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno and the talk of a new way of doing busy for our state that is centered on needs and action and not personal wishes and ego. We will have the opportunity to see if this is hollow talk or the real deal in the next couple of weeks as the they begin their work and conduct the impeachment hearing of Governor Blagojevich beginning January 26th. I think they need to deal with the Governor as quickly as possible and then focus on the many fiscal issues that have brought the state to a standstill. I heard Mr. Cullerton state that this is a time for action and that there are not many options to solve our problems. With Governor Blagojevich hopefully a bad memory within a few weeks the way may then be open for options that did not exist during his tenure. Could this mean a tax increase?

The inauguration of a new President also gives us a chance for a new start. Can the country come together under new leadership and begin to move forward? These are tough times in many ways for all of us. I hope we find unity and a common cause to once again unite us. Let's be hopeful and optimistic as we move forward.