Posted on 07/12/2009 5:26:45 PM PDT by Coleus
It's a familiar sight. Touring teenagers perched on the Capitol steps, listening with varying levels of attention to their representative welcoming them to where laws and history are made. But Scott Garrett uses the occasion his own way. "I explain something they won't hear anywhere else,'' says Garrett, a four-term Republican congressman from New Jersey's 5th District. "They won't read it in textbooks."
So he describes the rise of the Supreme Court from a relatively weak office to a third, co-equal branch of government. Part of why it happened, he says, was the erection 75 years ago of the neoclassical temple that's home to the court, visible to students just behind Garrett. "The court was located in the Capitol building, under the watchful eye of the legislative branch," he tells students from Montvale's Fieldstone Middle School. "It changed the whole balance of power."
Some historians may disagree -- the Constitution's drafters were more concerned about legislative than judicial dominance, and the 1803 Marbury vs. Madison case set the precedent for judicial review of laws -- but the lecture reveals a lot about Garrett. The congressman, considered by colleagues the most conservative in the New Jersey delegation, grounds his views in strongly held values informed by both his upbringing -- he was raised by religious parents on a farm in Sussex County's Wantage where he still lives -- and his reading of history.
"I trust the individual over the bureaucracy," says Garrett, adding that it is "within the individual where conflicts are resolved." People should neither blame others for their problems -- nor expect others to solve those problems. He keeps a Bible displayed in his office -- he says he tries to read from it every day, but often doesn't have the time
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.nj.com ...
Scott is a bright gem in this blue state. I am so happy and proud that he is my Congressman.
Ditto that. I send him “atta boys” every once in a while.
I do, too! Scott has never voted “wrong” as far as I know.
Easily one of the top 5 Congressmen of the past decade. I remember well when that prick DeLay was strong-arming the GOP caucus to support the Medicare Prescription bill. He kept the vote open for 2 freakin’ hours to pass that disgusting RINO bill, and got 3 holdouts to switch with a combo of bribes and threats. Garrett would not budge. DeLay bribed him to no avail. then he threatened him, and Garrett WALKED AWAY. DeLay was livid and yelled at him. Garrett voted no. Truly a profile in courage.
I know. It’s like being a Maytag repairman. There’s really never a need to do anything. I blew off some steam in a letter about the bailouts. But in any critical vote, I know where Garrett’s going to be. He’s not a smooth, fast talker. He won’t be a TV star. And that’s fine. Pence can handle the cameras.
Garrett’s a credit to the fine people who elected him (twice, now). Up here in Sussex County, he suits us just fine. They tried to make it seem like the last time round would be close, running against a blind rabbi (no lie), but it wasn’t close. Not only is Garrett awesome, he’s safe. Local boy, too. Went to the same high school as my wife. They still grow good people up here in Sussex Cty NJ.
He’s my rep too. Good man.
I’m in Bergen and I thank heavens for the voters in Sussex. One of our best friends lives in Sussex and he loves Scott, too. Every year the voters in Bergen trend a little more left. It’s maddening.
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