During his budget address last March Governor Corzine confessed that his childhood hero is Dag Hammarskjold, the father of the planned central economy, or modern day socialism. This system is the polar opposite of the free-market philosophy that drove America to be the most prosperous nation the world has ever seen.
Hammarskjold dreamt of a day when central planners would guide every aspect of the economy, including redistribution of wealth and allocation of property. This philosophy holds that those on the lower end of the income spectrum have a claim on the earnings and property of the producers. The basic concept here is to make the central planners responsible for “leveling” all citizens to the lowest common denominator. The Central Planner philosophy has been implemented in Sweden and is responsible for many of Fidel Castro’s and Hugo Chavez’s policies.
It is no wonder that later on in his budget address the Governor would state, “If we want Universal Health Care, Universal Pre-K and Affordable Housing and if we want to compensate property owners for the loss of value in the Highland areas we must asset monetize our toll roads.” All of these programs are managed by Trenton’s central planners and replace the free market with taxpayer funded bureaucracies.
The problem: they will cost money-and lots of it. Governor Corzine and I agree with one critical thing. We can’t afford any of these leftist programs. Herein lies the difference - I don’t want any of these programs, and don’t believe the vast majority of hard working taxpayers do, either. Governor Corzine, knowing taxpayers couldn’t possibly afford to launch these Central Planning nightmares, understands that if he is going to succeed he needs lots of cash quick. The only answer is a clever trick called “Asset Monetization.”
In other words, pawn off the revenue from the toll roads for quick cash to initiate the largest expansion of the entitlement state in New Jersey history. Once the programs are in place, complete with thousands of union employees, the quick cash will run out in two to three years leaving the ongoing cost of these business and job destroying programs to be paid by, you guessed it, the taxpayer.
The message this radical expansion of the entitlement state sends in a competitive world that recognizes the power of the free-market and individual opportunity and responsibility, is simple - New Jersey is rolling out the red carpet for all those seeking “free” government programs. The second part of the message is, if you want to build a business and keep the lion’s share of your earnings for your family and future, don’t come to New Jersey. Governor Corzine is driving out the goose that laid the golden egg and turning New Jersey into a magnet state for welfare recipients.
Steve Lonegan is the Mayor of Bogota, NJ, and Executive Director of Americans for Prosperity - New Jersey. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) are committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. He is a prolific writer, having been published in newspapers and blogs. He currently has a book in pre-publication on the impact of New Jersey state government on the well being of the taxpayers of the state, where he offers solid and workable solutions.
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sale of Highways , a bigger story
There is a bigger story here involving the sale of highways from border to border. Check out the law firms and the agenda of the money grabbers incl " Team Rudy" They want TOLLS on Super highways and open borders from Mexico to Canada
Here we go again
I wonder if Lonegan will ever be able to write anything that cannot simply be boiled down to this "Boo the Reds and poor are coming". Besides being fundamentaly wrong about Hammarskjold his predictions are insane.
The Left marches on part IV
I agree with Mr. Lonegan's assesment of the situation. He is able to look at the real picture here and see the writing on the wall.
Humbleservant has made a great observation and that is only the tip of the iceberg. Rudy's law firm is currently managing the contracts for Mexican construction firms working on the so called "Superslabs" currently being constructed in Texas with plans for more highways to criss-cross Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Eventually leading up to the forming of the North American Union. Kiss your country goodbye if this happens as this is being planned now with eventual control by the U.N.. Corzine, I am sure, is very happy with this as his views seem to go parallel with this concept. I watched Corzine's state of the state speech where he used a term "For the common good" approximately 13 times...sounds like Ho Chi Minh, or Kam Jong Il to me...if he likes their ideals so much he should go live there.
Dag Hammarskjold, in Corzine's own words, was his boyhood hero, and the fact that he chooses to bring socialist ideas into a democratic society makes me sick.
Hey SJBLUE, open your eyes, there is not much that is more important to write about, and Steve has the stones to bring out the truth.
Eighteen states have already considered resolutions against the NAU, and 2 or 3 have passed them.
Corzine is playing with our lives and livelyhoods without our consent, and giving away the ranch, maybe he will take your property next for some section 8 housing..and give it away to someone less fortunate leaving you footing the bill.
Predictions
If SJ Blue have their way NJ will be subject to UN global law. They have already started in Trenton where it will soon be a felony to flip someone the bird while driving. Say bye bye Bill of Rights, say goodbye America.
Humbleservent
...of the Right Wing. I do not think the US or NJ should be subject to "Global Law". While you have introduced this argument, as it has nothing to do with my or Lonegan's post, I'll simply say this. While Right Wingers consitantly argue that the USA is the greatest country in the world they also note that the US should only be judged as compared to the actions of other nations. However, those like myself who know that the USA is the greatest country in the world believe that because of that status we should hold ourselves to a higher caliber of action, and resume the moral leadership that we have lost. As far as flipping the bird goes the Bill of Rights does not protect obsenity, you can blame your conservative court for refusing to define what obsenity is. I could care less, but believe me it is Democrats who want to take away free speech and expression. Event the most ardent conservatives would agree.
I can tell you first hand
I can tell you first hand that my money and my property rights are being redistributed. There is not enough left to survive this sinking state. But before I go to live in one of those government housing projects my talents, by business, and my life will go elsewhere. I live in the Highland Preservation Area where we are to protect water for the cities at the expense of our own property values and ownership rights. Most of my tax money goes to the 'poor' cities where the likes of Sharp James and his cronies can use it to play with. More money goes for new Pre-K and other school programs so parents can drive a car 10 years newer than mine, live in a house twice the size, and take vacations I never can afford. My business generates a lot of money for the state of NJ, but it is never enough for the glutenous thieves and special interest groups. I agree with Mr. Lonegan's perspective. No to all. I do not want Universal Health Care, Pre-K, Affordable Housing, or the implementation of the Highland's Act. Leave me with the money to buy my own needs.
Flipping the Bird to SJ Blue
It is indeed hillarious but sad that the advocates of the Adult entertainment industry on the left. would infringe the 1st amendment in such away. The first amendment protects most speech and expression, as long as you dont shout fire in a crowded theater. SJ Blue version of free speech protection is protecting only the speech that he agrees with. Yes 21st Century Americans do hold themselves to a much higher standard expecially in battle, they put on uniforms and are forced to fight with ham strung modern versions of Marcus and Queensbury rules
How stupid is this?
When the conservatives do this, it's called privatization and we are told that it's great because private industry can do better than government.
When the liberals do this, Lonegan calls it socialism.
What a hack.
humble
To muddle my points with a weak ham-handed assault that basically reads "Liberals do not support the troops" is typical. Conservatives always do that. If you read my comments you will notice that I made no mention of combat servicemen and women. I like all Americans applaud and appreciate their service. I am impressed and grateful for their bravery, and would certainly agree that 99.999999999%of those who put on the uniform hold themselves with the utmost dignity and respect for themselves and for the world around them. I was speaking of the deplorable chicken-hawks that run the GOP and arm-chair conservatives that talk the talk but cant and have no desire to walk the walk. It is frustrating to have every debate between Dems and Reps to end with the Reps saying "You hate America, you don't support the troops". I do not simply feel that the only speech that needs protecting is the speech that I agree with. On the contrary I respect the right of anyone to say their opinions and I respect their right to scream it from the hilltops. However, there is no right to hate-speech. Speech that is designed specifically to demean others. Their is no right written or otherwise implied in the Constitution that gives anyone the right to impede on anothers right to "Life, Liberty, or Pursuit of Happiness"-to quote another of our famous founding documents.
Hate speech and Red Herrings
SJ Blue, If we go by the motto " whats good for the goose is good for the gander" than according to you all speech would be hate speech. By the way Gen Patrius is NO Chicken hawk. He was asked by the politicians for a plan. He submitted that plan and your people voted against it. Your people voted against Gen Patrius and the joint chiefs. In our Republic or commander and Chief yes makes the decision but its the Generals who carry it out. If you dont like the initial position Fine, Friends of Saddam dont like it either, but voting to reject the soldiers plan and then claiming to to supporting the troops is absurd.
"Soldiers Plan"
It is not the Soldiers plan. If you dont think that Patrius' plan has been manipulated by chicken hawks in DC you need to get a shot of reality. This war is no Hollywood script with a proud general submitted a plan for victory to the President yearning for democracy and to liberate a defeated people. Chicken hawk consultants in the Defense Department put this plan together and unless Patrius follows the plan he gets canned. More and more qualified Generals have critized this plan and all of the former plans. I do support the men and women who serve, I simply do not support their mission. And no my position does not equate all speech with Hate Speech. Hate Speech has been clearly defind by the Courts and it is not and should not be protected under the first amendment, as yelling fire in a crowded movie theater is not. Your regurgitated insult that I do not support the troops and am a "friend of Saddam" is again ham-handed, thinly veiled, ignorant (the websters dictionary definition), and wrong.
command and staff 101
Joint chiefs decisions are made by plans and ops. Sorry SJ Blue that you didnt know this. Maybe if more libs served that would know the game plan. Secondly the courts dont get to screw with the constitution. The founding fathers never ever wanted to mess with the thought process of the individual.
Your right
Anyone is free to think any rediculous, racist, communist, dangerous...thing that they so choose. However, they do not have the right to impede upon the rights of others plain and simplr. Furthermore, the Courts have the Constitutional right to interpret the Constitution and have done so since very early in the Republic. I need no lessons in civics from you. I know how the process is supposed to work regarding war plans-I know who is supposed to develop the plans, I simply cant imagine that this Administration would let that happen. Remember the invastion of Iraq was scripted by the project for the New American Century's Neo-Cons years before Bush came into power. This administration has had its under and flat out unqualified minions involved with every department in DC, including: Health Policy, Emergency Management, Agriculture, Education, and specifically Homeland Security and Defense. I wish I could put the blinders on and believe what this entirely corrupt and incompetant administration did, I'm sure I'd be happier, but sadly I find it hard to ignore the obvious.
Furthermore
Liberals serving...liberals like: George Bush, Dick Cheney, John Ashcroft, Paul Wolfowitz, Michael Chertoff and Karl Rove? or do you mean liberals like John Kerry, and Jon Corzine?