Cook County, Illinois pension bailout sales tax hike goes into effect New Year's Day

Shortly before leaving office two winters ago, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg warned of the "labor-electoral complex." What is it? Public-sector unions who contribute to the campaign funds of politicians--almost always Democratic ones--who reward their donors with pay raises and generous pensions for unionized government employees.

Thanks to the bought-and-sold for pols in Cook County, Illinois--where I live--the sales tax rate goes up by one percent on New Year's Day.

Why? To bail out the underfunded Cook County public worker pension fund.

In Chicago the sales tax rate will be 10.25 percent beginning in 2016. Suburbanites such as myself will pay only 9.25 percent.

If you are buying a car that costs $25,000--that means you'll have to cough up an additional $250 in taxes.

This is what happens when you have too many voters who base their ballot choices on just one thing--if there is a "D" next to the candidates name.