eCache |
THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up.Pastor Martin Niemöller
We now have it spelled out as plainly as can be the two different approaches to government. New Jersey has a budget hole. The governor wants to slash spending to balance the budget. The Legislature just passed a bill today that will raise taxes to help bridge the budget hole. The governor is likely to veto it.
It could not be any plainer than this.
Partisans will point out that the Republican is cutting spending and the Democrats want to raise taxes. While that is true here (and in other cases), lets not be fooled in thinking Republicans don’t raise taxes. Rather, it would be more on point to say that the conservative is cutting spending and the government workers are raising taxes.
All across our country, municipalities, states, and the federal government are wrestling with huge budget holes. Raising taxes seems to only grease the wheels of the machine that is causing the huge budget holes. True reform is not going to occur with targeted taxes, being creative with taxes, or pandering to specific constituencies.
Government is growing. For me (and I suspect many others), that is not a good thing. Limiting government is good.
Yes services will be lost. Overall, that is good for us. Will some take advantage? Absolutely. The counter is that folks are taking advantage now. (Who are the politically connected? If you are not among them, you lose.)
It is easy to point to the federal government and its roles. The Constitution does a pretty good job at defining it. State and municipalities are less defined. But when we can have three different tax zones in the town I live in, I think we have allowed government to mess too much. We pay 7% for goods and services at the “regular” stores. But if we purchase those same goods and services at a UEZ store, we only pay 3.5% . . . unless you attend the racetrack where you spend 9%. It’s convoluted.
Just as crafting a special tax for those who make more than $1 million annually.
Cut, cut cut spending!
I have written over the years that I tend to shun membership in groups. I have struggled finding groups that have positions that mirror mine. Without being aligned in our positions, why would I want to take on the responsibility of representing positions that aren’t my own?
Most easily seen are political parties. I left both the Democratic and Republican parties. Neither group represents my positions.
But I have shunned other groups too. I do not belong to the Kiwanas, Rotary, or the like.
Group membership also opens one up to attack. Locally, if one belongs to either Millville First or TrackRacket, one is simply dismissed because both groups have been demonized. Both groups are mocked publicly. No matter what they do or position they take, membership there is the easy path to dismissing whatever is said.
Last spring I was interested in attending the first tea parties in the area. I am enamored by the movement. I didn’t, and looking back, I am happy I didn’t. During the year, there have been attempts to organize that movement. Organization brings in those parts of organizations that I find problematic. All of a sudden, one needs to accept all of Sarah Palin and Dick Armey. And after yesterday’s actions, tea party members will have to answer why the group used racial and gay epithets and spat on a lawmaker.
Sure, it was the few that ruined it for the many. But that is always the case. Most Democrats are fine upstanding folks who mean well. But then there are Chris Dodd, Charles Rangel, and Bill Clinton. Likewise, most Republicans are equally upstanding folks, Tom DeLay, Jack Abramoff, and Mark Foley notwithstanding.
Independence lessens one’s influence, perhaps, but it frees him from the baggage that a group brings.
Congratulations to Scott Brown. From 20 points down in a staunchly Democratic state commonwealth, Brown caught fire this past week and just pulled an upset to win the Massachusetts Senate seat that has been in Kennedy hands (yes, even between John and Teddy) since 1953.
Edward Kennedy must be rolling over in his grave this evening.
And to think, the importance of this seat will mean the healthcare bill will assuredly change. Of course, it is likely that the Democrats will force something through with reconciliation. It will be disastrous. Not just the bill, but the political play. It really seems as though Democrats do not recognize that the political tide has shifted decidedly this past year. Mid-term elections are now months away. Pushing through major legislation with reconciliation is not a smart move.
Anyhow, early word is that Brown will give the Republican response to Obama’s State of the Union.
Matt Dunn reported today that the Cumberland County freeholders are poised to appoint the lawyer to do the taxpayers’ business.
Three local lawyers — Robert Malestein, Brendan Kavanaugh and Arnold Robinson — were interviewed earlier this year, with one of the three most likely to be chosen Thursday to head the county’s legal department.
Cumberland County taxpayers will not get legal representation at the freeholder board unless the lawyer donated to Lou Magazzu.
Kavanagh served as Magazzu’s campaign manager for the freeholder election held last week. He is also treasurer of the Cumberland County Democratic Party. He gives money to the Cumberland County Democratic Party.
Robinson also contributes financially to the Cumberland County Democratic Party.
Remember dear reader, the Cumberland County Democratic Party is where Freeholder Director Magazzu got an interest-free $10,000 loan. No one is willing to show the check that was written. No one has indicated who authorized the loan. But we do know that Magazzu is the chairman of the Cumberland County Democratic Party and he is was the recipient of the free loan.
Who is being served by selecting one of these lawyers?
I am sure each is qualified. I am sure, however, there are other lawyers who did not donate to Lou Magazzu’s that are equally qualified. None of them stand a chance because they did not give Magazzu any money.
This dear reader, is not good government.
Welcome to eCache @ RDOwens.net. This blog represents my ramblings about politics, GPS games, New Jersey, education, cooking, and other topics.
Enjoy your visit. I encourage you to participate. I don't bite.
My politics are conservative, but I am an independent. I like reasoned discourse. More
