This may be true for the Thruway, but is not the case for NYC. Revenue generated from tolls on NYC bridges (at least the ones owned by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, a division of the MTA) is used to fund a significant portion of the operating costs of public transit. Without tolls from, for example, the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, the subway fare would be much higher than $2.50.

Here in NYC they don't even bother offering "I voted!" stickers. The smug satisfaction is just presumed on everyone's part.

I highly recommend both A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines by Janna Levin, and Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman.

Madman is about Turing and Godel's lives (and the parallels between them) during the time of their most profound work, with a decent discussion of the philosophy and logic behind their discoveries. Dreams is a fun romp through Einstein's imagination as he toys with various theories of time while daydreaming at his job in the patent office.

Both are excellent reads and a great deal of fun.

risen, or sunk...?

Clearly, the /. crowd is far more concerned with rewards in this mere physical plane