Torricelli on Affordable Housing

right on torch---keep our open space---our property values will continue to rise---only the rich and tasteful need apply---i will however allow my children to visit my estate since they can never afford to live here---until i die at least----by the way the restaurant you mentioned does make great kettle 1 martinis and the burgers are excellent---anyhow we welcome you to paradise even if you are a democrat

Not in Bob's Backyard.

New Jersey is one of few states that make provision for affordable housing, however structured. In places that don't, there is an exodus of young people who would otherwise provide an engine of growth, attracting ratables for tax relief. Metropolitan areas like Boston and San Diego are now starting to see this effect with a vengeance.

Just a little humility and shame would help too. If you don't like affordable housing, maybe you should give us a good cry like you did when you resigned in disgrace.

Nick, you get it!!!! Bob, in case you forgot, that is what being a Democrat is all about.

Aviator, you fail to grasp the fundamental truth that equality under the law (or in the eyes of God for that matter) does NOT simply mean "the same as".

For example, a quart of milk and a quart of water are equal on one level; but they are (obviously, not the same)

If you really believe what you said, (and I'll quote in in toto and in bold text).....

" Equal rights to life, liberty , and the persuit of happiness? I think not. "

....then, please tell us which individuals and/or categories of people are NOT entitled to equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness??? I eagerly await your answer.

You go on to proclaim...

"We have God-given rights to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness."

As a matter of theology, I genarally agree with that; but we are a nation of LAWS that are derived from the authority of our CONSTITUTION! America is NOT (yet) a theocracy!!!

Much of the high principle that is found in the Constitution is rooted in the values of the Declaration of Independence. Those values have their roots in BOTH the realms of matter and spirit.

The founding fathers were not right wing fundamentalist fanatics incapable of applying secular reasoning/values to the principles of governance.

"We are not all equal,"

We are all created equal in the sense that all human life is equally precious in the eyes of God and Law.

In America, you should get the same sentence for premeditatively murdering a homeless crazy person with terminal cancer as you would for murdering a billionaire or a head of state. Youi shouldn't "get off" because you are rich, or powerful or well conected; nor should you get shafted for being poor or an "undesireable" character.

In America, the vote of a developmentally disabled adult counts the same as that of Bill Gates.

In America a 4 ton Hummer has as much rights to the road as a 100 cc motorcycle.

In America justice is blind. We are indeed all equal!!!

I could go on and on with examples of how we are equal; but I suspect that even you, must be getting the point, eh?

".........nor can we be made equal as the democrats prefer."

Again, you are beating a "straw man". You are inferring what I did not imply. Further, you take a cheap shot by failing to capitalize Democrat; that doesn't bolster your argument Aviator, it just make you seem petty. (I'll give you credit for being literate and knowing better.)

I will say this; if your idea of "equality" means that smart, educated ruthless people have the "right" to screw uneducated, gullible less intelligent people (as in predatory lending practices) then I say your concept of equality/fairness/justice is corrupt.

"This is the basic and profound difference between democrats and other parties."

Again, you're beating up on a staw man that only exists in your own mind. Things aren't so just because you proclaim with certainty.

The differences between the Democratic and other political parties are profound and worthy of intelligent in depth debate/discussion. The kind of nonsense you've spouted here only "works" on right wing talk radio or on Fox "News" where sound bites and lopsided prejudice are the modus operandi.

"And we are not a democracy. We are a constitutional repbulic."

That's not quite true. We are a constitutional republic BECAUSE it was /is the will of the people.

The real bottom line, politically, is that if enough people vote a certain way, for a long enough period of time; then the Constitution itself can be reshaped as the majority wishes through its duly elected representatives in the House, Senate, Supreme Court and the executive branch (i.e. President). In other words, our democratic principles (based on the rights of individuals acting as majorities) are the foundation of our republic; not the other way round.

"The founding fathers were afraid of democracy."

Again, you oversimplify.

What they were afraid of was "a tyranny of the majority". A pure democracy could lead to a kind of mob rule wherin the passions of the moment dominate good sense and common human decency.

The whole structure of "checks and balances" in our constitutional republic is designed to act as a buffer to protect us all against a precipitous excercize of raw unchecked "democracy"/mob rule; however, if there is a sustained and systemic majority of the popular will...then our Constitution itself may be amended in all manner of ways. Again, ultimately, the power is in the hands of the voters (in the long run). Which is as it should be.

So yes, you're right in that we are a constitutional republic; but you're quite wrong if you fail to grasp the practical reality that the integrity (political and moral) of that republic lies in the quality of the citizenry who excercize the democratic process of electoral policis when they do (or don't) vote. 

It's a bit ironic that you (I presume a non Democrat ;-) find yourself in some agreement with Robert Torricelli on the affordable housing issue. Strange bedfellows indeed! LOL

From Frederick Douglass

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

aviator---you got it right

get help

thanks no offense meant i do enjoy reading your replys youare most definitly more informed than i