The Blame Bush Defense

14 October 2008 @ 23:47 | Posted in » New Jersey, Politics

Back in 2005, New Jersey Governor Corzine ran on a platform to increase our tax rebates 10% annually. He also stated:

I want to restore people's trust in what should be the people's government. We can, and I will, lead this state on the path of honest, open, and effective government.

At the time he ran his operations chief Susan Levin was under federal investigation. Corzine stated at the time:

All New Jerseyans have a right to expect that when decisions are made about government contracts, the only determining factors should be quality and price.

I remind you of these, dear reader, because as soon as the presidential election is over, Corzine will launch in earnest his re-election campaign. I think it is fair to examine Corzine’s performance based on what he said he would do.

Property tax rebates have not increased 10% annually. As a matter of fact, the rebate this year was a pittance compared to what it was when Corzine took office.

Corzine and his former girlfriend are pressing hard to keep their e-mail exchanges that took place on the public dime. Is this what Corzine meant when he stated he would have an honest, open, and effective government? And how can we know that the negotiations between the taxpayers and Corzine’s girlfriend were determined only on quality and price when he will not share the public documents?

Certainly during the campaign the slagging economy will come up. Corzine will most definitely employ the Blame Bush defense. New Jersey’s economy is hurting, it will be said, because of the reckless Bush Administration.

Of course, taking that course will confirm that Corzine does not believe a governor, let alone a governor with Wall Street CEO experience, has the ability to affect a state’s economy. Why then has Corzine proposed that New Jerseyans purchase foreclosed homes?

I am not much for gimmicks, but the state GOP has an interesting proposal, namely to cut the usurious sales tax by half for the holiday season to stimulate the state economy. Politically Corzine is in a quandary. If he supports the tax cut, he admits that raising the sales tax in 2006 is now hurting the economy. If he resists the plan, he isn’t doing what a governor can to stimulate an economy nor providing taxpayers help when they most need it.

Frankly, I’d rather see the sales tax cut in half permanently, but I’ll take the temporary nature of this proposal. Undoubtedly, Corzine will spin this as unacceptable because of the recklessness of the Bush Administration.

At this point, New Jersey may be better off if Obama wins the election and takes Corzine to D.C. with him.