October 3, 2007 - 5:37am
The Left Marches On Part Six: Emotion Based Politics = Big Government
By Steve LoneganThis November’s ballot is dripping with syrupy feel good politics and phony promises ranging from doling out phantom “Property Tax Relief” to curing Alzheimer’s disease. The New Jersey State Legislature has abandoned all pretense of practical, responsible governance in favor of irresponsible social engineering schemes impacting everything from genetic cloning to manipulation of the state’s real estate market, intent on forcing our population into high density government funded housing projects. Let’s take a stroll through ballot question hell and see what shadows lurk in the hearts of the Trenton crowd - even those who have not yet been indicted.
Ballot Question One? A repeat of last years continuing property tax relief fraud. Fool me once,-shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. This phony promise dedicates another one half of the new point on our sales tax to the phony “Property Tax Reform” account within the already farcical “Property Tax Relief Fund.” Voters passed this question last year and are still waiting for the 20% property tax relief we were promised. The election year rebate checks have arrived and voters are supposed to believe this vote will guarantee this government largess. Hold on to your wallets folks. This question dedicates the sales tax revenue to a vague slush fund called “Reform” and I can tell you that one legislators idea of reform is not another’s. This slush fund is and will be cut up in back room deals that taxpayers will never vote on. Passage of this question lays the groundwork for an 8% sales tax next year and I challenge any proponent of this fraud to guarantee otherwise.
Question two asks taxpayers to endorse the borrowing of $450 million in new debt to fund failed embryonic stem cell research. Not withstanding the fact that embryonic stem cell research has not produced a single cure, Democrats and Republicans voted to put this disgraceful question on November’s ballot. Disgraceful because the explanatory statement proclaims this borrowing could lead to cures for everything from Cancer to Alzheimer’s and everything in-between. This despicable act of presenting false hope to so many should be condemned for what it is - sick. The explanatory statement fails to disclose that passage of this question empowers the legislature to levy municipal taxes on “real and personal property” of our already over burdened taxpayers.
Question three incurs even more debt, this time to fund the social engineers’ vision of buying up all developable property to end the construction of the one family home and replace it with high rise high density housing projects. The Trenton crowd wants to further mortgage our children’s future so the same children can never afford the American Dream of the single family home with the white picket fence. The explanatory statement for this scam fails to disclose the government’s intention to use eminent domain to make this nightmare vision a reality.
These ballot questions mean more and higher taxes on the state with the highest property taxes in the nation, the worst income tax in the country and the highest state sales tax. With the second highest per capita debt, this administration seems committed to being number one. In a competitive world, New Jersey must become lean and cost effective. Highly risky research projects Wall Street will not invest in and radical social engineering schemes coupled with phony promises of “Property Tax Relief” will not achieve that goal. Last year the slogan “Enough is enough” was the mantra of the Democrat leadership. This was nothing but rhetoric. Now voters have the opportunity to vote NO on all of these questions and through that slogan back in their faces. But this time we really mean it.
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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Question 2
How can you shout embryonic stem cell research failed if we haven't given it a chance? I think you want it to fail. But I don't see you as the main culprit of holding back embryonic stem cell research in New Jersey. The program itself is holding it back. In the last 2 years there were 33 grants awarded to stem cell research and 28 went to other than embryonic stem cell research. The program was supposed to be basically embryonic, to pick up the slack in this research because of federal restrictions. So what is happening is that they are stealing the funds the voters think will go to embryonic stem cell research and fueling adult stem cell research instead. Senator Ellen Karcher has written a letter to Corzine: September 20, 2007 Honorable Jon S. Corzine Office of the Governor P.O. Box 001 Trenton, N. J. 08625 Dear Governor Corzine: As a firm supporter of stem cell research, I commend you for your efforts in bringing the state of New Jersey to the forefront of stem cell research. I believe that it is imperative that the state of New Jersey funds the type of stem cell research that the federal government has chosen to ignore. I am writing to encourage you to explore the promotion of embryonic stem cell research. If New Jersey wants to become a leader in stem cell research, it must also be a leader in promoting embryonic stem cell research. It was my understanding that New Jersey would primarily be promoting embryonic stem cell research. Yet, out of the seventeen award recipients of 2006, only two are truly focused on the promotion of embryonic stem cell research. I appreciate your consideration in this matter. I would ask that you contact me at 732-462-8883 or at SenKarcher@njleg.org. Sincerely, Ellen Karcher Senator, 12th Legislative District
Maybe stem cell research can cure NJ Corruption too?
We are spending all of this money that we dont have to search for the medical "holy grail" that all the top private research companies have run away from. How about property tax relief now and get illegals off the streets of NJ ? Cutting the lawns and waiting on tables of rich liberals wont pay for a fraction of their hospital bills let alone a mortgage.
government funding
Some people oppose government funding of stem cell research because they oppose stem cell research on moral grounds. I believe that stem cell research may lead to cures for horrible diseases The people should vote no on this question, however, for a more fundamental reason. Our State government cannot afford to pay for the services it already provides, is too leveraged as it is to maintain the infrastructure we already have, and charges taxpayers in NJ more than almost anywhere else in the country for the privilege of living here. I'm all in favor of stem cell research, but let private industry and the market economy pay for it.
Unfortunately, Republicans have no credibility
Mr. Lonegan again pins the bogometer into the Red...BOGUS!!!
Tax flim-flammery has been, regrettably, bi-partisan. After all, then Gov. Whitman punted the pension obligations down field by floating bonds to fund them rather than pay for them during her term.
Republican Reform is an oxymoron. Republican Bosses enjoy the same goodies their Democratic brethren have through pay-to-play. Mr. Ferriero no doubt appreciates Lonegan's spirited support in trading public dollars and patronage jobs for private bucks and political entrenchment.
As far as "social engineering" is concerned, Republicans are fond of doing it if it benefits those in high tax brackets. The tax breaks for capital over labor are social engineering writ large.
NJ is the most densely populated state in the union. Citizens are looking to preserve some Garden in the "Garden State". Developers and their pay-to-play political cronies have clearly been uninterested in that.
Mr. Lonegan clearly objects to voters being able to make their wishes known.
Emotion Based Politics? What Hypocrisy!!! LOL
Can you name me any issue that Republican harp on that isn't largely based on emotion?
Steve, you're losing it.
Emotion/Passion are postive components when they are based on facts, reason, values and love.
Yes, I said love.
Ultimately we're all in the same boat Steve and to survive as individuals and as a species we need to learn to co-operate with each other instead of killing each other out of fear.
If you think that makes me a "bleeding heart liberal"; then I'll take your intended insult as a compliment and turn the other cheek as the good Lord instructs.
From Frederick Douglass
Why no embryonic stem cell research
Even though Corzine touted embryonic stem cell research he can't deliver it. We all know Jon was taking this job in order to go for the Whitehouse. Along the road from Trenton to D.C. there are an awful lot of votes from people who oppose embryonic stem cell research. So, if he puts the money where his mouth was, he would kill any future Whitehouse run. And I agree that embryonic stem cell research may be the greatest thing ever. Healthcare for everyone is great too! Heck buying everyone a McMansion would be sweet too! But, guess what... NJ is Broke! Not only are we broke we are up to our ears in debt. Monetizing our assets is a shame. Jon likes this proposal because lets face facts, bond sales put money into companies such as Goldman Sachs. Selling $10billion in bonds could put $1billion into these companies pockets. So every time we pay a buck in increased tolls ten cents will have gone to them. Gov if you are going to raise tolls, lets just keep the money and pay off the debt.
work
Hey Mayor,
I know a few guys that are looking for some work. You got any openings?...classic...classic
Larry Craig - Steve Lonegan
Steve Lonegan is the Larry Craig of New Jersey - he preaches one thing in public, but then practices the exact opposite in private.
Also, If Steve is employing illegal immigrants, and he isn't paying their FICA or income tax match to the federal and state government, then that is called tax evasion, which is illegal. A reporter or a grand jury should ask Steve if this was the only time he's ever hired an illegal immigrant, and if it's not, then how much money he should have paid the government in taxes.
Maybe the state of New Jersey is going bankrupt because Steve Lonegan is cheating on taxes that would have gone to the state coffers.
embrionic stem cell research
I agree that stem cell reearch should be funded and approved. Republicans please don't fight it, approve it! we coud then use very incumbent democrats in NJ as test subjects to see if it has any effect on low morality and urges of corruption.
Steve Lonegan, A Proud American
I was one of the lucky 1700 plus participants to the first Defending The American Dream conference held in Washington D.C a few weeks ago. The conference was the annual convention of Americans For Prosperity. His political enemies may try to discredit Mr. Lonegan here, but please know that at that convention I witnessed a speech by Lonegan that was perhaps the best I have ever personally witnessed. I was part of, not one but three standing ovations from an audience that truly understood the important issues of which Steve spoke. He spoke with conviction and pride about a free America where liberty lives. An America with equal opportunity for all who wish to pursue the American Dream, not just standby for the latest handout from the liberal left. Steve Lonegan is guilty of only one perceived flaw: He is an accomplished and Proud American. And one whom we can all learn from if we paid careful attention to his words and his wisdom. I am proud to know him and support him for doing what is right for his community and our country. Time will prove that Steve Lonegan offered the solution, not the problem.
Al Parinello, Founder www.PreserveTheAmericanDream.com
social engineering schemes
Social engineering is what Republicans and so-called "conservatives" do. Many now realize there's a need to "end the construction of the one family home" until the costs of growth are paid by the developer and eventual homeowner. It's the one-family home that's " government funded."
Instead, "conservatives" want to continue growth subsidies. They vehemently oppose impact fees that would internalize the costs of growth and allow market forces to properly value market choices.
When sales and property taxes are increased to pay for the infrastructure needed to support the ability of developers to sell their product, "conservatives" blame "tax-and-spend" liberals for the increases for which "conservatives" themselves are responsible.
This is all possible because the costs of growth don't show up until years after a development is approved. That makes them easy to ignore. For a primer on what's happening, see the Growth Facts of Life.
There are two kinds of socialism: redistribution of income and the less visible redistribution of costs. The "cost-side socialism" of conservatives exceeds any redistribution of income in our society.
Yes, "conservatives" are socialists, privatizing profits and socializing costs.
What's more, liberals are not the "left" that wants government to own and run all businesses.
But "conservatives" are the "right" that wants to privatize everything, even the basic military functions of logistics and security. "Conservatives" are extremists; liberals are the "center." See Explaining Liberal Principles.