Dom Giordano Column: SEPTA's Viagra Requirement

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Can you hear the big SEPTA strike clock ticking? It's the clock ticking down to Election Day and it spells big trouble for Hillary Clinton if it's not settled. Her biggest hurdle to winning in Pennsylvania is the margin of victory in Philadelphia and she already has problems inspiring voters to turn out and a strike forces tired people struggling to get to work and home to make voting a priority.

SEPTA Strike Leads To Regional Rail Chaos

I find this possibility of a disrupted Election Day to be a classic payback for a local Democratic Party that pushes aggressive unionism. It's a group that is wedded to big union support and overlooks the excesses of Philadelphia unions.

Of course, we've already seen TWU 234 try to extend the pain of the strike by blocking SEPTA crews at Suburban Station and thus causing chaos, delays and big problems for people trying to get home via the Regional Rail lines. It's ridiculous that police didn't step in and stop this immediately and that SEPTA had to get an injunction to stop it.

It amazes me that SEPTA despite all the state and federal funding that they receive continues to be a major headache. They are coming off a very difficult time due to defects that were found in their trains. This strike on top of that indicates that this transit outfit is incapable of keeping up its end of the bargain with taxpayers and riders.

I rode the Broad Street Subway Line during the Democratic National Convention and I found it to be efficient, clean, and prompt. However, I never would depend on SEPTA on a day to day basis.

Of course, the fact that in past battles with TWU 234, SEPTA management had to face union demands for 30 Viagra tablets per month per employee, has always given me a chuckle and good conversation on my show so, maybe I'm getting my money's worth.