Listen to the Voters
By Steve LoneganVoters sent a loud, clear, and stunning message to the complacent political class in Trenton this week—enough business as usual, taxing, borrowing, and spending recklessly. They also dispelled the notion that New Jersey conservatism is dead and progressivism inexorably on the march. Voters have seen Trenton’s idea of progress, and they’re fed up with it. When ballot questions go down for the first time in 17 years, it should serve as a wake up call—but will it? Will the legislature follow the will of the voters or come up with even more clever ways to thwart it?
The ballot questions that went down in flames have clear policy implications that anyone who believes in democracy should feel compelled to support. The voters rejected Question 1, which would have dedicated 1 percentage point of the state sales tax to so-called property tax reform, however the legislature might see fit to define it. The political establishment backed Question 1 as a way to lock in a permanent 7 percent sales tax and pave the way to an 8 percent sales tax, buying public support in the near-term with rebate checks that were not in any way guaranteed to continue. Voters saw through the rebate trick and they want the legislative leaders who assured them the state general fund only needed a 6 percent sales tax to make good for real and repeal the sales tax hike. That’s the one sure way to provide tax relief that won’t depend on trusting Trenton to deliver on promises that have been repeatedly broken in the past.
The implications of Question 2 are even clearer—end the state’s stem cell project immediately, saving taxpayers not just the $450 million they refused to pay but the already-squandered $270 million that is committed to building facilities. It was a crazy, backwards idea in the first place to use appropriated funds to build facilities and then use long-term bonds to finance the operating budget for these places. The gambit was to just start building and dare voters not to fund the research to make the buildings worthwhile. Voters weren’t so easily manipulated, and saw through this attempt to force them to pick up the tab for research with so little promise that the private sector is completely uninterested in funding it.
Unfortunately, instead of listening to their constituents, the state’s leading Democrats are trying to develop new plans to grab taxpayer dollars to fund their stem cell infatuation. There are some indications that they may shake down the state’s remaining pharmaceutical companies, find appropriated funds in the already overextended budget, or use asset monetization schemes like mortgaging the toll roads. Any such attempt to circumvent the clear message sent by voters would be a mistake. The governor and his allies would make such an attempt at their own political peril.
New Jersey can no longer be taken for granted by the big-government leftists that have had total control since the end of the Whitman administration. New Jersey’s conservatives are no longer sitting at home and shaking their heads at the state of affairs here. They are out in the streets, organizing at rallies, calling in to radio shows and legislative offices, writing letters, and rallying to be heard. The grassroots of New Jersey are angry, organized, and frankly fed up with a state that has become the poster-child for the perils of reckless fiscal policy. The choice for politicians going forward is clear—follow the will of the voters paring back the size and intrusiveness of government, or disregard the message of this election, betray the voters by pursuing the policies they repudiated by other means, and face the consequences from the newly energized grassroots activists and voters of New Jersey.
Steve Lonegan is the Mayor of Bogota, NJ, and Executive Director of Americans for Prosperity - New Jersey. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) are committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. He is a prolific writer, having been published in newspapers and blogs. He just published a book, Putting Taxpayers First: A Blueprint for Victory in the Garden State, that discusses the impact of the Trenton government on the well being of the taxpayers of the state. He offers solid and workable solutions. Learn more at lonegan.com.
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Syndicate
Haven't you been indicted yet?
Because hiring illegal aliens is a crime.
Stop listening to voters.
Leaders are well founded in their beliefs and will do the right thing, not the popular thing. I was a Lonegan fan until he put his run for governor in front of his principles.
His sell out of the Begen County Republicans in the Primary, getting in bed with the likes of O'Toole, demonstrated the corrosive effect of power. Lonegan is just another politian who was seduced by the system.
"Sometimes it looks as if the Democrats are out to win at all costs, while the Republicans are out to compromise at all costs." Thomas Sowell, September 8, 2007 - Random Thoughts.
Scared of the messenger, afraid of the message.
It's almost comical that the only real conservative in New Jersey is routinely dismissed as "right-wing" and out-of-step with "Blue" Jersey.
Did anyone care to look at the results of the election?
Once again, voters proved themselves more to the right than left by rejecting two badly written bond issues that would further bankrupt the debt ridden Garden State.
The Catholic Church, that sanctuary for left-wingers and illegal immigrants finally took a stand as this assault on values continues from the left with embryonic stem cell research.
Despite no approval for funding, Corzine and the Communists in Trenton are already building stem cell centers with NO MONEY to pay for staffing or the operational costs of such an endeavor!
Corzine then goes on television and lectures the voters by stating they support stem cell research, they just don't want to pay for it?
Huh?
Instead of paying off your ex-girlfriend Jonny boy, maybe you should fund your social engineering exercises! There's only about 3.5 million Catholics who live in NJ. I guess there opinions don't count!
The other phony question was as transparent as water from the Passaic River and that too was rejected by tax weary voters disgusted with a government that just doesn't care or listen.
Mayor Lonegan's campaign to beat back these bond issues was successful because people can't afford to liver here anymore and no one is listening!
Lonegan is listening and Lonegan will be our next governor.
Congrats Steve
It's time someone told these Socialists in both parties where to stick it when it comes to these trick ballot questions. Now you gotta fight Governor Beardie's continuing idiocy on other issues.
Lets Give Corzine and Cody pink slips.
Its no surprise to me that Corzine and his cronies are going ahead with their plans regardless of voter's wishes.
I almost think that they are trying to purposely bankrupt this state. I am sure that they are not listening to us the voters, and
just going along as they please high on their favorite drug...money.
The thing that really bugs me is that we get stuck with these characters for 4 years...I would fire someone immediately if they pulled the stunts Corzine and Cody have. Would anyone keep their money in a bank that manipulated funds the way these clowns have? ....not to mention the conflict of interest they created by putting their own funds into the campaign. Are they that desperate?
Using Michael J. Fox in their ads was a real attempt at the sympathy vote...I wonder if he pays taxes in our state?
Unfortunately they answer to no one even when the call is clear, which makes me believe they have a hidden agenda, something to gain as it were.
Shame on you Corzine for ignoring the voters of this state and pursuing interests that are costing all of us big money...but hey, what do you care? you have the money. You are pursuing a policy of plutocracy which is not what you were hired for...you work for us, and we don't approve of your job performance..we have said it at the polling places and you are either arrogant and self righteous, or totally out of touch with what we want.
Either way it seems you are uncapable of doing the job you were hired for, or don't want to do it.
Pack up your desk and pick up your pink slip.
I don't think so.
If you knew what you were talking about you would know that an employer would be fined, not indicted. While on the subject, how about the mayor Passaic who has declared his city a sanctuary city for illegals.
Richard Zuendt
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Arrogancy, pure and simple!
Johnny and the boys in Trenton better enjoy the next two years, because change is coming. No longer will we put up with the arrogance of these hypocrites. We are taking names and will be back to make sure that they are replaced in the next election. This state is for the people, not a playtoy for jerks like Johnny C., Cody, Sarlo and the like.
Richard Zuendt
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
If hypocrisy was a crime...
Lonegan would get the chair.
Lack of respect
epmd,
I do hold freedom of speech in the highest regard. However, your comment really adds nothing as a response to Lonegan's writing or the response of others. What it does do is takes away credibility on your future responses. If you disagree and submit an educated and factual statement it is one thing; if you are just talking out of your ass it's another.
Now on to something important.
What we need to watch now are the lame duck bills presented on Nov. 8th listed on the NJ Legislative site. I'm sure more will follow. The outgoing crew sure can do a lot more damage before departure.
I have lost all my trust in the elected officials. There is a power struggle money game going on. Everybody wants more money, more benefits, more power. It is a minority of officials that have a clear understanding of what democracy should stand for. It is obvious by the words and actions of the 3 leading stooges (CC&R) that they have a lack of respect for what the voters have decided.
Liberals are stupid!
What a stupid statement! Just what one would expect from a liberal.
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Amen brother
You are so right about watching the lame duck bills. We have to be there to shout loud and clear, "NO MORE SPENDING"!
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
--Theodore Roosevelt--
Lame Ducks
On 11/8/07 there are 319 Senate and Assembly bills. Lots of information, wonderment, and many hours of amusement. Here is the Legislative site.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/