Posted on 07/06/2006 5:31:59 AM PDT by new cruelty
We all know that old saying about things always looking greener in someone else's pasture. Compared to the brown, dead grass that is New Jersey's state government, I'd say that's certainly true. However, I have a feeling that residents in our neighboring states aren't thinking the same about us. In fact, they're probably shaking their heads in-between fits of laughter.
Yes, Garden State residents' morale is at an all-time low. This is what shutting down the government has done to us.
What makes me most angry is that the state's residents are suffering at the hands of the people we elected to office. These legislators have let down their constituents in a variety of ways. They betrayed our trust in their abilities to do their jobs. They've cost the residents much-needed revenue. They've bruised our state pride.
Forget political party lines. The next election, I'll be hard-pressed to vote for any incumbent who contributed to this mess.
It's ironic that our government shut down a number of viable, money-making machines, such as casinos and the lottery, when some lawmakers are trying to bring more revenue into the state budget through an increased sales tax. That proposed increase is at the center of the budget decision stalemate.
Reports estimate that the state earns $1.3 million daily from casinos alone. I wonder what scheme lawmakers will come up with next to cover the money that is lost to our state budget through the government shutdown.
Aside from revenue-generating areas, other agencies that handle matters, such as court cases and motor vehicle business, are going to have to eventually catch up. Either we'll have to pay state workers overtime — costing more money — or be subjected to longer waits.
At least state workers will be back on the job. The not-getting-paid consequence of lawmakers' inaction is likely hurting a lot of people's wallets. However, it's a good thing welfare checks were mailed out the day before the state began shutting down. At least some of the people who rely on the state to put food on their tables aren't suffering.
Unfortunately, the state may be taking more residents under its wing when the many workers ordered not to perform their jobs join the ranks of welfare and unemployment recipients.
Many news reports about the shutdown have focused attention on the tourism industry in Atlantic City. That's a shame because that city doesn't deserve to be the poster child for the state government's incompetence.
Going through a cultural renaissance of sorts, the city has been evolving from a downtrodden wasteland to tourist destination with something for everyone. However, any ground A.C. has made against its competitors — mainly Las Vegas — is undermined by all the national news stories publicizing the casino closings.
Outside the casino walls, other areas of tourism also are suffering. Historic sites, state parks and campgrounds all rely on day trippers or overnight guests to continue operating.
Tourists have every reason to be concerned about coming here.
New Jersey as a whole doesn't need another black eye, either. Those of us who live here may be proud of our state — well, not in this case — but if you've been anywhere outside our borders, you know that the rest of the country doesn't appreciate our positive aspects as much as we do.
If the state's image isn't tarnished enough by that smelly portion of the turnpike, our brash attitudes and those hypodermic needles along the beaches that have been gone for years, but no one wants to forget, then shutting down our government certainly adds a few new spots.
This was the last straw in any argument I would have had defending the not-so-great state of New Jersey. Really, what can I say to change someone's mind when I hear comments about what a horrible state I live in?
Shutting down the government and everything that goes with it is indefensible.
Unfortunately, I'm not optimistic that things will get better for Garden State residents in the near future. In fact, I'm betting we'll all be worse off before positive changes can be made or we decide to move across one of our state borders.
That bet, of course, won't be taken in a New Jersey casino.
That jumped out at me in this piece. Suddenly every politician and party is to blame for this. Certainly not just the one in power at the moment who shall remain nameless. That of course is standard operating procedure for the msm when something bad is associated with the dims.
Speaking of the governor, is he getting paid? And his staff? What about the legislators and their staffs and interns? Are they getting paid?
Thank you, Calpernia.
Yes, the missus and I love Delaware. It wasn't on our radar screen til last year, when we got curious about it, checked it out, and were very surprised to see how nice the state was.
I don't want to change my Freeper handle--I've had it a long time.
Exit 82--Toms River-is still a great place. But over the next few years, will become unaffordable.
We were able to sell our home even though the down market had just started. Like I tell my friends, start planning.
"I happen to think he is on the right track-regardless of his politics" YOU MUST BE JOKING ! STATE BUDGET UP 45% IN LAST 6 YRS..........
The funny thing is, they would say the same about most of us on the right. Perhaps sanity lies somewhere in between, but I expect it doesn't include abortion.
We can always use some more good folks here!
I have three words for you: Upstate New York.
We need a new state. And I'll cordially invite the red bits of PA and NJ to come along :)
NJ....you sow what you reap! And you have reaped the whirlwind by electing the BIGGEST cheating, lying Rat there is!
Excuse me, but the head of a state, whether it be the President or a governor, is responsible for enforcing the laws of their bailiwick. In a country that has rule of law it is all important. That said, there was probably another way out of this mess, one of them being that the governor drop his tax cut in order to get his budget passed on time.
The route he took, legal or not, is the route of an extortionist.
I guess that explains why they all move south. Forget building a fence to keep the Mexicans out. I'd like a fence to keep all the NJ folk in.
(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)
Corzine the lib Dem already made HIS millions $$$$, so who cares if taxes on the common folk are boosted up and up again and again.
The funny thing is, they would say the same about most of us on the right. Perhaps sanity lies somewhere in between, but I expect it doesn't include abortion.
so because the left says it, it makes it true? The right is for idividual rights, the left is for collective government that gives the rights to the state and lets the "elite" decide who actually gets to benefit from the rights.
So,in your opinion, they are brainwashed and we are too and we should seek help for our delusions in wanting the country to be run by our constitution? Sanity somewhere in the middle?
Sanity lies in getting this country back to rule of law and the constitution as the law of the land.
I guess he wants to hit 'em where it hurts -- figured he'd get his way faster. Seems risky to me (as well as just stupid), but what do I know?
I remeber back in '80 or '81, when Kevin White (mayor of Boston) lost a tax-cutting vote, he cut police and fire, because, of course, there was no fat to cut in the extremely lean Boston budget. (Do I need the /s tag?)
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