Have you been reading what's going on across the Hudson? New Jersians put aside their liberal leanings and decided to elect a law enforcer to manager the state. For someone who was being criticized for not being more specific on how he'd fix things, Chris Christie has been dropping the gauntlet on out of control spending, while fighting to prevent any tax increases.
Recently, the governor spoke to one hundred of the state's mayors to explain how it's time to act and fix the problem. The state has a spending fever. It needs to sweat it out and deal whether it takes six months, a year, or his whole term...
At some point, there has to be parity between what's happening in the real world, and what's happening in the public-sector world. The money doesn't grow on trees outside government buildings. It comes from the hardworking people of our communities who are hurting right now.
In this instance, the political class (of which all of us here are members) is lagging behind the public. The public is ready to hear that tough choices have to be made.
They're not going to like it. But they're tired of hearing, "Don't worry. I can spare you from the pain." They've been hearing that for a decade, as we have borrowed and spent and taxed our way into oblivion.
State government has done every quick fix in the book. Now we're left holding the bag.
All of you know in your heart that what I am saying is true. You know that we can't afford these raises that are being given to public employees of all stripes. You know the state can't continue to spend money it doesn't have. And you know that the appetite for tax increases among our constituents has come to an end.
We all didn't know what to expect of Governor Christie. He talked a good game and was vague on specifics. I always defended his "vague-ness" on that he isn't the governor yet. He doesn't want to analyze a matter and give a wrong answer that his opponent can pounce on. What he did do was convince the voters that he will make tough decisions that will be what's best for the State, not just a special interest.
New York City was fortunate to have this kind of revolution in 1993 when Rudy Giuliani, another crime fighter, was elected and changed our great city for the better. Now, we need the same approach in Albany. Sheriff Steamroller was supposedly going to provide such a change, but clearly, the power of Albany works differently. Or differently that one Mr. Spitzer expected.
This year is an election year for New York Governor and not one of the named candidates, Cuomo, Lazio or Levy, really jumps out at us as some who will go in and fight for all New Yorkers. We can only hope someone will step forward with a Christie/Giuliani type approach to bring about real change in Albany.
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written by Quickjustice , March 05, 2010
Christie has been better than I expected. The GOP won't confront the larger issue, however, which is the destructive financial and social impact of the welfare state.
Until they do, this problem will only get worse.
written by Daniel Peterson , March 15, 2010
Today's NY Post has an article from Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/o...W56PE04cN
All of our legislative candidates need to stand up and say they will pledget to cut spending and reduce the burdensome state budget.
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