Weeks ago I had a chance to speak to Gov. Christie about this issue, and he asked that I keep his response confidential until after he acted, but he said that he would never sign the proposed magazine limit. He said not to worry, that the limitation on magazine size was just “show time” by its proponents.
I think that he is exactly right, and he did what he said he would.
The liberals who propose these things are NOT interested in any real solutions, because that would eliminate the issue. They wish to keep issues alive forever. That is why they do not really want a reduction in race, class, or gender rivalries (real or imagined): that would ruin their game.
Another example is the minimum wage. IMHO it is unconstitutional at the federal level, and anywhere it is a restriction on the freedom of contract. It causes unemployment at the low end of the pay scale, interferes with the chance for beginners to get experience, interferes with jobs for the disabled, and is totally uneconomical. If it is such a good idea, why do the proponents only ask for a $10/hr minimum? Whey not $20, or $100 and hour. Hey, why not $1,000/hr, which would make everyone rich?
But politically the minimum wage is a great “show time” issue. It helps politicians posture; and costs them very little, as the harm is not clearly traceable by the public back to the legislative perpetrators.
Christie’s own approach is based on the reality, which is that the notorious attacks such as at Sandy Hook, CT, were by young men with clear symptoms of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is quite common (rates estimated at almost 1% of the population) and shows up with maturity (very late teens and 20s). It is not curable: it is slightly treatable but not curable by psychiatry, but can only effectively be handled by medication. Patients often feel better, and quit their medication; or feel worse, and quit their medication. Or they just forget. A small proportion of schizophrenics can become very violent. They obviously should not have access to guns, or (for that matter) cars, alcohol, or any blunt or sharp objects.
Christie’s proposal is to tighten up on access to weapons by such individuals. The liberals, on the other hand, are for patient’s rights, even if the patients are dangerous individuals.
Clearly, on this issue, and in the New Jersey context, Christie is the conservative, on the side of principle and practicality.
Christie has all the right enemies; he is doing something right. While he is favorite target of many FReepers, I only consider criticisms from those living in NJ; I don’t think others understand how out-of-hand our problems with the teachers’ unions were before, and how he has cut them off at the knees with his tax cap.
Those unions are the real owners of the Democratic Party; their hatred of him is telling.