'Surge' talk not worth the time
Our legislators have found yet another unnecessary topic to waste precious Assembly time, this one with national implications. Along with a package of bills on veterans' issues up for debate in the Assembly Thursday is a resolution expressing "strong opposition'' to President Bush's surge of troops in Iraq.
Yes, New Jersey National Guardsmen have been deployed for too long to Iraq, and families and businesses have had to adjust, so the war is a state issue. But a legislative resolution is not going to impress the White House or the Pentagon to change how the war is fought one bit. It's yet another issue that shows how partisan Trenton has become, with critical Democrats on one side - even though they say it's in support of the troops - and defensive Republicans on the other.
The Assembly members should stick to the many pressing subjects that can improve the quality of living in New Jersey. Spending even a minute on a worthless Iraq resolution is too long.
Yes, New Jersey National Guardsmen have been deployed for too long to Iraq, and families and businesses have had to adjust, so the war is a state issue. But a legislative resolution is not going to impress the White House or the Pentagon to change how the war is fought one bit. It's yet another issue that shows how partisan Trenton has become, with critical Democrats on one side - even though they say it's in support of the troops - and defensive Republicans on the other.
The Assembly members should stick to the many pressing subjects that can improve the quality of living in New Jersey. Spending even a minute on a worthless Iraq resolution is too long.
posted by Larry Benjamin at 4:43 PM
5 Comments:
We need more people in public office that are truly dedicated to tackling the real problems in New Jersey. As of now, we have do-nothings from the local level up, who grandstand on certain issues just to earn political capital by getting their faces in the news. That is why New Jersey is in the mess that it is in. I am waiting to hear some issue-oriented campaigning from candidates of my own party at the local and state level. However, judging by what is happening in the Republican party in Monmouth County, I have just about given up hope that there will be vigorous dialogue on issues such tax relief, school funding, illegal immigration (which is definitely a cause for concern in some towns) mandatory consolidation of school districts and municipalities, and the candiates' proposed solutions. I am tired of candidates who cower at any suggestion that we may need draconian solutions to achieve stability in New Jersey. Maybe some Independent candidates should band together and run for the Senate and Assembly seats this Fall? Thanks for listening.
You can't be serious. If you havent heard vigorous dialogue about the issues you mentioned from your MC state legislators, then you havent been paying attention. Joe Kyrillos, Amy Handlin and Jennifer Beck among others have all been front and center on these issues.
We definitely need people in office who are ready to tackle the problems of this state. What we also need are people who are informed enough to know when their legislators are doing a good job, instead of being intellectually lazy and falling back on the old "throw them all out" rhetoric.
Kyrillos, Handlin and Beck are all pro-abortion. As far as I can tell, none of them are fans of the Second Amendment. How many of them voted against this gay civil union legislation? When the GOP was in power, Kryrillos did little to address rising property taxes in any substantial sort of way.
If you are a conservative, there are plenty of reasons for you to hope to see these three RINOs defeated either in a primary election or even a general election. It is only when they are out of office that conservatives will have any hope of electing real alternatives to the Democrats.
Re: Kyrillos, Handlin and Beck. I am as up to date on the issues and candidates as you probably are. These people are in office at the moment. What I want from individuals who represent me is a concerted effort to get things done! For example, why haven't we heard a chorus of Republican legislators, candidates,etc. including DeCroce and other Republicans statewide, loudly supporting serious reforms including consolidation of school districts and municipal services. Instead, as soon as the Mayors bellow and the NJEA shows it's teeth, everyone runs for cover! Look what happened to the proposal for the pilot program down in South Jersey for the County school district!
Why haven't you heard Republicans supporting the proposals you mention? Quite frankly because there are so few conservative Republicans in the New Jersey Legislature. There a few conservative Republicans to be sure, but most of the GOP caucus in the Legislature is made up of liberal RINOs. The difference between the RINO wing (e.g., Kryillos, Beck, Handlin, et al) and the Democrats is negligible.
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