Can't escape Cape!

Since we're on the topic of my planned road trip in Illinois in Missouri, I've discovered some interesting political facts and figs!

It appears almost unavoidable that we'll end up going through Cape Girardeau, Missouri - hometown of a certain has-been right-wing radio host (pictured here). To underscore this city's unusual right-wing leanings, I looked up its voting statistics.

It turns out Obama would have won Missouri if not for Cape Girardeau County. McCain won that county by 13,000 votes but won the state by only 4,000.

In other words, one Republican county is controlling an entire state's destiny. Or, as ol' Rush himself might put it: Day 382 of Missouri Held Hostage, folks!

Luckily, this trip will probably not force us to travel in any work-for-less states. With the exception of trips that were limited to just the 4 states nearest to me, this will be the first trip free of work-for-less jurisdictions since the famed Magical Mystery Tour in the Northeast 4 years ago.

So at least our gas taxes won't be financing right-to-scab states!