The Wiz

They called him a financial genius.

He conquered Wall Street, bought his way into the exclusive club known as the US Senate and then bullied his way into the NJ Governor's mansion with the promise that he would clean up the financial mess that plagues this endlessly beleaguered state - a sorry kingdom that remains the butt of so many jokes.

But once in office he hemmed and hawed, bobbed and weaved, found himself bedeviled by embarrassments involving former flames and unsavory characters, grew bored and then finally, finally unveiled his secret plan to save the state: monetization.

So here it is: Under the plan proposed by Joisey's wacky Governor Jon Corzine, you will eventually pay $16.59 to drive to Casinoland on the Atlantic City Expressway. The tolls on the Expressway, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway will keep climbing and climbing and climbing, at least until 2022. But of course the first increase won't take effect until the year after Corzine faces re-election. Ain't that clever?

This is the largest single fee or tax increase of any kind in the history of a state that has been known for setting tax hike records. It includes as much as a 500% driving tax increase and $40 billion in new debt.

So the Wiz of Wall Street has produced his solution: ante up, sucker!

Photo: Americans for Prosperity