WEINBERG CALLS ON CHRISTIE TO ANSWER CRITICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT ROLE AS U.S. ATTORNEY

TRENTON—In the wake of continued stories in the Star-Ledger questioning Conservative Right Wing Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie’s role in a sweetheart plea deal involving two of his closest political associates and Christie’s assertion that he knew nothing of one of the largest tax fraud cases in New Jersey history—despite the fact that it transpired during his term as U.S. attorney—Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate Loretta Weinberg today called on Christie to outline his full involvement with the case and role as U.S. Attorney.

“While Christie has been quick to take credit for all the accomplishments of the U.S. Attorney’s office during his tenure, he has run away from the office’s failures even faster. The people of New Jersey deserve answers to critical questions about Christie’s role as U.S. Attorney. What was the policy and criteria for cases being brought to his attention as U.S. Attorney?

“There are only two possible explanations for Mr. Christie's assertions that he was unaware of this case- either he mismanaged the U.S. Attorney’s office so that a case of this size and import could be settled without his approval or knowledge, or he is not telling the truth about what he knew and when he knew it.”

Corzine at Montclair State

Governor Jon Corzine heads to Montclair State to talk about the new Economic Recovery Legislation and what it will do for higher education in NJ.

NJ Will More Than Double Solar Power Generation

Remember that silly video that Chris Christie put out a few weeks ago about "his commitment to expand renewable energy production as the foundation of the state's economic future?

And how he was widely ridiculed for trying to pander to President Obama and his New Jersey supporters by saying that he was behind the Presidents energy plan, and how " Renewable energy is the future and as the country and the world make it a priority, my administration will be committed to making New Jersey a leading provider and supporter of green technology."

The video, if you all remember was filled with a number of misleading statistics and facts and was generally panned by both critics and some supporters.

The following story from the Associated Press was released last night and announced that New Jersey will soon be the trailing only California in the production of solar power, generating 232 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 232,000 homes in the state while creating 200 new green jobs:

NEWARK, N.J. – Regulators approved more than $515 million in projects Wednesday that will more than double the amount of solar power generated in New Jersey and will solidify the state's No. 2 spot behind California in power produced from the sun.

The state Board of Public Utilities gave the green light to proposals from four utilities that together will yield 145 megawatts of solar energy, enough to power about 130,000 homes, and will boost the state total to 232 megawatts.

"We're all in this climate change boat together, and we're all going to sink or swim together," board president Jeanne Fox said.

With global warming, many nations have been working to reduce the use of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases, a major contributor to pollution and climate change. The United States had 791 megawatts of solar capacity at the end of last year, with California accounting for 530 megawatts, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has said he wants 30 percent of the energy consumed in the state to come from renewable sources by 2020.

Of the projects approved Wednesday, PSE&G proposed the largest — $515 million in solar panels installed on more than 200,000 utility poles plus solar gardens and rooftop arrays. Combined, the solar plants will produce 80 megawatts of electricity and power about 72,000 homes. The utility, New Jersey's largest, expects to complete the project by the end of 2013.

Consumers initially will pay $1.28 a year to fund the solar generation, and pay up to $4.08 by 2028.

The project is expected to create about 200 jobs. South Plainfield-based Petra Solar will produce solar panels for PSE&G and says most of some 100 workers it expects to hire will be used for the project. Also, PSE&G estimates an additional 90 jobs will be created for other parts of the project.

Regulators also approved proposals from three utilities that together will generate an estimated 65 megawatts of electricity from the sun. Jersey Central Power & Light was given the OK to contract for 42 megawatts of solar power through 2012. Atlantic City Electric Company was cleared for 19 megawatts and Rockland Electric Company, for 3.8 megawatts.

Solar energy currently costs more to produce — between $6 and $8 per watt — than power generated from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, according to Lance Miller, chief of policy and planning for the board. The cost is expected to reach parity in seven to 10 years.

Corzine Expects Hoboken Mayor to Resign By Tomorrow

According to WABC News - Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano is expected to resign as early as Friday, according to Governor Jon Corzine.

Corzine, answering a question about ethics reform at a Montclair event, said he expects Cammarano's resignation within the next 24 hours.

A senior Corzine administration official said the understanding is Cammarano is resigning Friday morning.

The move comes amid intense pressure from Corzine, a Hoboken resident, to force Cammarano to step down. Corzine had publicly called for the resignation and privately instructed lawyers from his office to speak with Cammarano's lawyers.

The news was a bombshell at Hoboken City Hall, apparently taking elected officials by complete surprise. Cammarano, who left the building for lunch within the past hour, did not drop any hints.

Hoboken City Council President Dawn Zimmer, who lost a runoff to Cammarano by 161 votes, would become acting mayor if he resigns.

Zimmer said she has heard nothing.

"There's nothing official," Zimmer said.

She said she spoke to Judy Tripodi, Hoboken's state appointed fiscal control officer, who has also not been notified. Neither had Cammarrano's communications director.

Zimmer would have to run in a special election in November to fill the remainder of Cammarano's term.

The 32-year-old Cammarano is accused of accepting cash payments in $5,000 increments from a man he thought was a developer looking for a pay-to-play connection in Hoboken.

WEINBERG CALLS ON CHRISTIE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HE KNEW . . . AND WHEN

TRENTON—Ethics advocate State Senator Loretta Weinberg, the Democratic Lt. Governor candidate, today asked former Republican US Attorney Chris Christie to explain his apparent contradiction that he was unaware of a sweetheart plea deal involving some of his closest political associates.

Under a deal struck by Christie’s office last year, a corrupt Morris County developer might walk without a single day in prison after engaging in one of the biggest tax frauds in New Jersey history – a $17.5 million scam.

A Christie campaign spokesperson claimed Christie knew nothing about the case until contacted by the Star-Ledger this week, but Christie’s signature appears on the four page charging document that set the stage for the plea deal.

“Chris Christie got caught in a political lie to cover up his role in a sweetheart deal that let a prominent Republican get a slap on the wrist in a tax fraud case involving tens of millions of dollars,” said Weinberg. “The fact that the guilty party was represented by two of Christie’s political colleagues makes his claim of ignorance impossible to swallow. Are we supposed to believe Christie’s campaign or Christie’s signature on a legal document? Come on Mr Christie - it's time to tell us the whole truth."

The tax fraud case took place in Christie’s political backyard- the Republican stronghold of Morris County. In addition, the defendant in the case was represented by two of Christie’s closest confidants and campaign contributors- Herb Stern and John Inglesino.

“This deal smells of political partisanship, cronyism and favoritism. It will be very hard for Mr. Christie to explain this sweetheart deal and his attempt to cover up his role in it,” concluded Senator Weinberg.

The defendant, Morton Salkind pleaded guilty in May 2008 and agreed to repay $17.5 million in back taxes within six months. However, the Star-Ledger reported, under the deal struck by Stern’s firm and Christie’s office, “Salkind officially pleaded guilty to just a single count of tax evasion of a much smaller amount -- $276,000 - that he failed to pay in 2001.”

The newspaper wrote, “Federal guidelines recommend a prison sentence between 18 and 24 months for Salkind's crime -- a range that would have been higher if he pleaded guilty to a multimillion-dollar fraud.” Court records show that under the deal, Christie’s office allowed for Salkind’s attorneys to seek no prison time for their client at his sentencing next month.

New Jersey... Hey, C'Mon That's Not ... Why Would You ...Whoa!

When you need to laugh at the absurd, it's Jon Stewart to the rescue. Jon defends New Jersey against media prejudice in light of last weeks corruption sting that netted 44 indiviuals throughout the Garden State. And while he's at it, he has a kidney to sell you !

This clip is from Tuesday nights show, if it so weren't true we wouldn't laugh so hard at it.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Hey, C'Mon That's Not ... Why Would You ...Whoa!
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Joke of the Day

Shatner Does Palin On The Tonight Show

I am not a very big fan of Conan O'Brien, I never really thought he was that funny and worth staying up til 1:00 am to watch, but now that he has taken over the Tonight Show my opinion of him may be changing.

The past few nights on the Tonight Night Show, Conan has hit homeruns by having William Shatner read portions of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's farewell speech and Twitter tweets as poetry.

Total Brilliance !!


7/27/09


7/29/09

Best Quote of the Day, From Yesterday

"The facts surrounding the freeze versus layoff issue belie Sheriff Guadagno's claim that she is the rare elected official who hasn't backed down from the public-employee unions,"... Guadagno "essentially sabotaged the county's plan as it related to the unions within the Sheriff's Office,".

Monmouth County Freeholder Jonh D'Amico quoted in the Asbury Park Press about Monmouth County Sheriff / Republican Lt. Governor candidate, Kim Guadagno and her efforts to undermine negotiations with county union members.

Despite the corruption arrests, Corzine still doing OK

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to be a regular columnist /contributor to the NewJerseyNewsRoom.com, a news organization put together by former Star-Ledger staff members that had been layed-off by the newspaper over the past year.

A couple of members from the News Room have been following this blog and thought that I would be a good fit and lend a progressive voice to the website.

I was honored to think that real journalists thought enough of my writing and insight to include me in their endevours, so I couldn't say no to the offer.

Below is the first of what I hope to be many opinion pieces posted by my new friends at News Room Jersey:

Despite the corruption arrests, Corzine still doing OK

When I first heard the news on the morning of July 23 about the FBI sting operation that netted 44 people throughout the state on corruption and other assorted charges, as part of the continuing 10-year-old investigation known as “Operation Bid Rig,” I have to admit I wasn’t very happy.

I thought, “here we go again.’' Another black-eye for the state’s already tarnished and beleaguered image as the most corrupt in the country. I was shocked, angered and concerned all at the same time.

As a Democrat who is involved in the local politics, I immediately thought about how this would affect Governor Corzine and the rest of the democratic ticket down the line. This was not something that Jon Corzine or democrats, in general, needed to be dealing with 13 weeks before November’s election.

After working the overnight shift, keeping up on what seemed like an endless stream of new information and details about the sting operation, I started to think that there was no way, with recent polling numbers showing that the governor trailed his opponent by upwards of 15 points depending on the survey, could survive this latest round of bad news.
My despair only increased when, as the morning shift arrived, my fellow co-workers sought me out to express their displeasure with the scandal and said that it was further evidence as to why they would not be voting for Jon Corzine.

It didn’t matter to those guys that the investigation was started 10 years earlier during the Whitman administration or that the governor was not involved or named in the investigation. It was just further evidence to them that New Jersey’s political system was broken and just as corrupt as ever.

It didn’t matter to them that Jon Corzine is beyond reproach or that he can’t be bought off by special interest (the man is a multi-millionaire who doesn’t need to take money from other people) or that Corzine is one of the most politically ethical elected officials that the State of New Jersey has seen in over a decade. It didn’t matter that during Corzine’s time in office, he is responsible for ending the practice of duel office holding by elected officials or the fact that major Pay-to-Play legislation was passed early in his administration that ended that practice or that he put an end to no-bid contracts.

Read More >>> Here

What Does Another 80 Cents a Day Buy? Not Enough!

On July 24, the federal minimum wage rose to $7.25 per hour. With it, thousands of New Jersey's minimum wage workers saw a 10-cent increase in their hourly wage. This is nothing to be proud of, especially since the state's median household income of $67,035 makes New Jerseyans the second highest income earners in the country.

The increase marks the first time in four years that New Jersey's minimum wage earners will make the same as those in Mississippi, Arkansas, North Carolina and 27 other states throughout the country. This despite the fact that the state's median household income is 84 percent higher than Mississippi's, 75 percent more than Arkansas' and 50 percent higher than North Carolina's.

Housing costs in New Jersey are among the nation's highest, with renters paying more than $400 above the national average per month. To afford a two-bedroom apartment alone, a minimum wage worker would have to work an impossible 129 hours per week every week of the year.

Housing is not the only thing that costs more in New Jersey. Groceries cost 11 percent more than in the rest of the country, utilities 16 percent more and health care an additional 10 percent.

In 2007, the state's Minimum Wage Advisory Commission recommended the minimum wage be raised to $8.25 an hour, the federal poverty threshold for a three-person family; one year later it recommended an increase to $8.50 an hour. The commission also called on the legislature to annually adjust the minimum wage with the cost of living. To date, the legislature has done nothing.

Each year New Jersey's elected officials do not raise the minimum wage, it's the state's working poor who suffer the most. Money earned today will buy less next year than it did this year, and even less in the following year. In actual buying power, the state's minimum wage has declined since it was first introduced in 1968. That means the $7.25 per hour workers earn today buys less than the $1.40 they earned in 1968 or the $3.10 they received in 1980. Had it kept pace with inflation, the minimum wage would now be $8.68, or $1.43 more than it currently is. This, combined with the fact that low-wage workers tend not to receive wage increases, health coverage or sick days makes keeping up with inflation impossible for these families.

Raising the minimum wage not only helps individuals and families who rely on every bit of their paycheck to pay their rent, buy their groceries, clothe their children and provide healthcare for themselves and their families, it also stimulates the economy. Because they earn so little, low-wage workers are less likely than people with higher salaries to save money. This means that every additional dollar they earn is needed and will be spent.

The current economic downturn has affected almost everyone, and New Jersey's low-income earners are struggling to meet the most basic of needs. By raising the state minimum wage to at least keep up with inflation, New Jersey will lessen the hardship faced by its most vulnerable residents.

To find out more about the New Jersey Policy Perspective click >>>Here

Rocky start for Guadagno on GOP gubernatorial ticket

BOB JORDAN - Asbury Park Press

Monmouth Beach resident Kim Guadagno made history last week by becoming the first person in New Jersey politics chosen as a lieutenant governor candidate. Guadagno was already in the record books as Monmouth County's first female sheriff.

But Guadagno got off to a bumpy start on the first day of the campaign last Monday and continues to be challenged on her claim to have successfully handled tough negotiations with public-employee unions. Monmouth Democrats contend Guadagno instead obstructed efforts to freeze county government salaries by pandering to unions within the Sheriff's Office.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie said at a Freehold Township campaign stop that the flap has no reflection on his newly minted running mate.

Read More >>>Here

Video: Gov. Corzine's leadership is putting people to work

In this new video released by the Corzine campaign last night, President Barack Obama's Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood praises Governor Jon Corzine's leadership in securing federal money for projects that are putting people to work in New Jersey.

New Corzine Video: A Partner in The White House

This is an excellent new video from the Corzine '09 website, it contains highlights from President Barack Obama and Governor Jon Corzine's rally in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Obama Email Calls for Support Of Jon Corzine

I received the following email in my inbox this morning from President Obama. The President is urging supporters to get behind the Corzine campaign and support the good work the Governor has done for New Jersey.

The President states that "Jon is a fighter for the middle class. He created a strong economic recovery plan designed to retain and attract business, instituted major reforms to ease unfair property tax burdens across the state, and made critical investments in schools and transportation infrastructure that will leave New Jersey stronger and more competitive in the years to come"

I think the President is right, Jon Corzine needs our support, read on:

Friend --

Last Thursday, I visited Holmdel, NJ to stand with a great leader for New Jersey -- your governor, Jon Corzine. Jon and I were joined by thousands of people like you who share our commitment to building a better future for New Jersey and our nation.

We live in challenging times. Now more than ever, we need leaders with the strength to make tough decisions and the courage to do the right thing -- leaders who bring people together for a common purpose, and fight for the most vulnerable among us. Jon is one of those leaders.

I'm proud to have Jon as a partner as we all work to get our economy back on track, and I hope to work with him for years to come. But if I learned one thing from my campaign last year, it's that none of us can do it alone. It will take thousands of people like you coming together and working as one to build a better future for New Jersey.

Today, I'm hoping you'll stand with me to support a bold leader for New Jersey. Please volunteer for Jon's campaign today.

The people of New Jersey know the cost of this economic crisis. The past months have not been easy, and weathering this storm has tested our spirit and required great sacrifice. But in Jon, you have a governor who has built consensus to help families get through it, while putting the state on a path to long-term prosperity.

In trying times, Jon is a fighter for the middle class. He created a strong economic recovery plan designed to retain and attract business, instituted major reforms to ease unfair property tax burdens across the state, and made critical investments in schools and transportation infrastructure that will leave New Jersey stronger and more competitive in the years to come.

I know Jon's not done yet. We have a lot more work to do. Jon has set New Jersey in the right direction, and if you stand with him -- and with me -- the time and effort we invest today will pay off ten fold in the better New Jersey we'll build together.

The stakes in this election are high, so I'm asking you to do your part -- volunteer for Jon's campaign today.

President Barack Obama

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Astro Boy

Hooray, It's Saturday and you know what that means, it's time for some cartoons!

And what better way to start the day then sitting down and getting caught up on Astro Boy before his new movie comes out.

I got my Kellogg's Corn Pops ready and I'm relaxing in the easy chair all ready to go!

President Obama's Weekly Address: 7/25/09

Health Insurance Reform, Small Business and Your Questions

The President discusses a key factor that has been considered in the development of the health insurance reform proposals that are being considered: the impact of reform on small business. Go to WhiteHouse.gov to read a new Council of Economic Advisers report and give your feedback. July 25, 2009.

Quote of The Day: "No F@*king Way"

Corzine: "No fucking way."

Responding to former Morris County Prosecutor and gubernatorial candidate Michael Murphy when asked if he was going to drop his bid for re-election.

Wally Edge- PolitickerNJ

Corzine Announces Weinberg Via Email And Receives Immediate Response From Facebook

A short while ago I received the following email from the Corzine09 campaign announcing Loretta Weinberg as Governor Corzines choice to be his running mate as Lt. Governor:

Friends,

This November, for the first time in our state's history, New Jerseyans will have the opportunity to vote both for Governor and for the newly-created office of Lieutenant Governor.

I am proud to announce that I have selected State Senator Loretta Weinberg as my nominee to serve as New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor.

I hope you'll join both of us tomorrow, Saturday July 25th, at 2 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood.

Those of you in Bergen County probably already know Senator Weinberg well. She has served the Bergen County community with honesty, honor, and distinction since she was first elected to the State Assembly in 1992 and, then, as a State Senator since 2005.

For those of you who may not know Senator Weinberg, I know that you will be impressed by her legislative experience, the significant and positive change she's brought to our state, and by her personal values and unquestionable integrity.

Often called the "conscience of the Legislature" because of her principled stands on issues large and small, Loretta Weinberg isn't afraid to take on the tough fights:

Loretta has been leading the charge on ethics reform for years. She's passed legislation to require greater financial disclosure by local government officials, toughen regulations for lobbyists, strengthen anti-nepotism rules on campaign contributions and limit public contracts to businesses that make political contributions.

She has put the safety of our children and New Jersey residents first. Loretta battled the powerful gun lobby to protect our children by mandating safety locks on all handguns and fought to lower the blood alcohol level state-wide for which a person can be considered to be guilty of drunk driving.

She is a tireless advocate for protecting New Jerseyan's health. Against stiff opposition, Loretta took on Big Tobacco and sponsored the law making indoor public places smoke-free. She stood up to insurance companies and succeeded in forcing hospitals to provide longer stays for new moms and their babies. And she has made combating autism a primary focus as the sponsor of several laws funding treatment, education and research for autistic children.

The list goes on and on. For over forty years, Loretta Weinberg has been an advocate for better health care, honest government, environmental protection, women's rights, and protecting the pocketbooks of New Jersey's working families.

She shares my commitment to our state and my vision for what New Jersey can be, and I cannot think of a better person to serve as New Jersey's first Lieutenant Governor. I'm confident that as you get to know her you will become as big a fan of Loretta Weinberg as I am.

I'm confident that Loretta's steadfast commitment, her deep legislative experience, and her personal integrity will prove to be invaluable as we continue to build on the remarkable successes of my first term. I know that Loretta will be a partner that I can trust and will become a unique and important voice in the next Corzine Administration.

I'm confident that she will set the highest standard for what New Jersey's Lieutenant Governor can and should be, and I'm looking forward to working side-by-side with her over the next four years.

I know that together we will continue to do great things for the state of New Jersey.

Governor Jon Corzine

Was this a good choice? We'll find out soon, people are already starting to weigh in. Here are some comments left on the Governor's face book page:

"This is what we really need, a woman to clean things up!!!! But not like Christine Whitmann, who stole $100 million from state employee pension funds to make pretend that she could balance a budget. We are and will pay for that for a long time."

"Love her!"

"I KNEW SHE was THE ONE, THE RIGHT choice for Lt. Governor!! YES! She's a fighter! She is full of life and more!! Loretta Weinberg: "The people's lt. governor! Great Choice, Gov. Corzine!!"

"Ms Weinberg is smart and experienced and good for NJ."

"Smart and one tuff broad. Great Choice!"

Brue Lee, Ping-Pong, Nun-Chucks, Enough Said !

I have to give a shout out to my friend the Aimless Writer for finding this awesome and totally unbelievable clip of the great Bruce Lee playing Ping-Pong using nun-chucks !!

That's right, just nunchucks. And he doesn't just take on one opponent he scores against two in typical Bruce Lee Hong Kong, Kong Fu fashion.

I agree with the Aimless Writer - "This man was a God" - Awesome

What Does Corzine Need to Do?

With the most recent Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll finding that Governor Corzine has 51% disapproval rating amonst registered voters I ask the question, What does Governor Corzine need to do change peoples opinion of the job he is doing?

It is becoming evident that the many accomplishments of the Corzine administration are being lost within all of the bad news about the economy and he is not getting a fair shake for those accomplishments by voters. According to the Monmouth poll voters give governor Corzine an overall approval grade of "C-"

According to Tom Hester, who writes for NewJerseyNewsRoom.com -

"Corzine may not be getting the message of what he and his administration feel are his accomplishments as governor, but his campaign aides maintain the accomplishments can be found.

"Governor Corzine has been making the tough choices to reshape and resize state government,'' said Elisabeth Smith, a campaign spokeswoman. "He eliminated and consolidated departments, reduced the state workforce by 7,000 employees and increased the retirement age from 55 to 62. While prioritizing education and health care, this year's budget is $1.8 billion less than the first budget he introduced. In fact, because the Governor made the right choices, he is the only New Jersey governor in 60 years to reduce the size of state government.''

Smith said governor Corzine made government leaner and more efficient, he launched a first-in-the-nation economic recovery program, instituted a new school funding formula and expedited billions of dollars in new school construction. She said Corzine made meaningful reforms to ease the state's property tax burden, and this year, property taxes rose by the smallest amount in a decade. On Corzine's watch, Smith said, 80,000 more children have been enrolled in the state's health insurance program and the governor took a child welfare system that was once rated among the worst in the country, and made it one of the best.

"Protecting New Jersey's environment has always been - and continues to be - a top priority for Governor Corzine,'' Smith said. "With one of the strongest solar programs in the nation and potentially the country's first offshore wind project in development, New Jersey is a national leader. By embracing new approaches to energy, New Jersey is providing the pathway to both economic prosperity and environmental protection."

So I ask you, what is the one message or concern that you have for the Governor? What do you think he needs to hear and what would you like him to do?

I plan on sitting down with him briefly one day during the 1st week of August, I will present your ideas to him and ask him to adress as many of them as possible and I will let you know what he had to say.

Chuck Todd: Media Has "Created This Drama That [Obama's] Struggling To Get [Health Reform] Done"

Despite clear progress, media declare health care reform nearing "life support"

Media Matters -

Despite passage of health care reform bills in House and Senate committees and the endorsement by major medical organizations of congressional Democrats' reform efforts, numerous television pundits have suggested that President Obama's health care plan is in serious jeopardy.

As The Washington Post observed in a July 20 article: "Cable news programs repeatedly declare the president's health care program is teetering or embattled despite a week in which [President] Obama's proposals were endorsed by the doctor and nurses associations and committees in both legislative chambers passed major bills." Indeed, despite passage of health care reform bills by the House Ways and Means Committee, House Education and Labor Committee, and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and endorsements of congressional Democrats' reform efforts by the American Medical Association and American Nurses Association, numerous television pundits have suggested in recent days that Obama's health care plan is in serious jeopardy.

Healthcare: Change the Debate Support a Real Public Option

Hat tip goes to Blue Jersey for beating me to the posting of the following article I saw on the Daily Kos Thursday but didn't have time to post myself:

by Dennis Kucinich
Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:38:08 PM PDT

Dear Friends,

In mid-May, in an effort to reach consensus, President Obama secured a deal with the health insurance companies to trim 1.5% of their costs each year for ten years saving a total of $2 trillion dollars, which would be reprogrammed into healthcare. Just two days after the announcement at the White House the insurance companies reneged on the deal which was designed to protect and increase their revenue at least 35%

The insurance companies reneged on the deal because they refuse any restraint on increasing premiums, copays and deductibles - core to their profits. No wonder a recent USA Today poll found that only four percent of Americans trust insurance companies. This is within the margin of error, which means it is possible that NO ONE TRUSTS insurance companies.

Then why does Congress trust the insurance companies? Yesterday HR 3200 "America's Affordable Health Choices Act," a 1000 page bill was delivered to members. The title of the bill raises a question: "Affordable" for whom?.

Of $2.4 trillion spent annually for health care in America, fully $800 billion goes for the activities of the for-profit insurer-based system. This means one of every three health care dollars is siphoned off for corporate profits, stock options, executive salaries, advertising, marketing and the cost of paper work, (which can be anywhere between 15 - 35% in the private sector as compared to Medicare, the single payer plan which has only 3% administrative costs).

50 million Americans are uninsured and another 50 million are under insured while for-profit insurance companies divert precious health care dollars to non-health care purposes. Eliminate the for-profit health care system and its extraordinary overhead, put the money into healthcare and everyone will be covered, everyone will be able to afford health care.

Today three committees will begin marking up and amending HR3200. In this, one of the most momentous public policy debates in the past 70 years, single payer, the only viable "public option," the one that makes sound business sense, controls costs and covers everyone was taken off the table.

In contrast to HR3200 ... HR676 calls for a universal single-payer health care system in the United States, Medicare for All. It has over 85 co-sponsors in Congress with the support of millions of Americans and countless physicians and nurses. How does HR-676 control costs and cover everyone? It cuts out the for-profit middle men and delivers care directly to consumers and Medicare acts as the single payer of bills. It also recognizes that under the current system for-profit insurance companies make money NOT providing health care.

This week is the time to break the hold which the insurance companies have on our political process. Tell Congress to stand up to the insurance companies. Ask members to sign on to the only real public option, HR 676, a single-payer healthcare system.

Hundreds of local labor unions, thousands of physicians and millions of Americans are standing behind us. With a draft of HR3200 now circulating, It is up to each and every one of us to organize and rally for the cause of single-payer healthcare. Change the debate. Now is the time.

The time to act is now!

Sincerely Yours,

Dennis Kucinich
United States Congressman

Contact us at feedback@kucinich.us or visit us online at www.kucinich.us

Tony "the Fibber" Fiore Suggests That The Only Place Left In Budget To Cut Is Police For Savings

Last week Middletown special financial consultant Bob Roth re-introduced the FY 2009 budget to the Township Committee. The budget, which seems as though it was put together by the use of smoke and a mirror will be voted on and approved tonight.

The budget relays on 1 shot gimmicks such as reducing the surplus reserve for uncollected taxes and deferring a portion of the townships pension obligation, so instead of a 9.2% tax increase that was proposed back in April the new tax increase to the municipal rate will be 5.8%, and we have the State to thank for it.

After months of telling the public how hard and how tirelessly they were working on the budget, meeting department heads over and over again to ensure that their budgets fell in line with township priorities, the Republicans on the Township Committee lead by Mayor Brightbill and Deputy Mayor Scharfenberger left the decision making to the state because they could not find any budget cuts or savings themselves!

The junior Committeeman, Republican Tony ”the Fibber” Fiore went as far as saying that the only area in the budget left open to the Committee in which to cut costs, was emergency services and to lay-off or furlough police officers and staff.

What a stupid thing to say!!

How could you possible say that the only place left in the budget in which to cut costs would be to trim the police department? Fiore’s statement from the dais last week was not only a head shaker, but also an outrageously gross attempt to place blame on others for the Republican’s failures to produce a budget that was inline with the realities of the day.

There were and are numerous areas and line items throughout the FY 2009 budget that could have been cut or trimmed in order to lessen the financial impact on residents if the Republicans truly wished.

Fiore, for all of his efforts and work that he put into the budget could not even implement any of his infamous ideas from the 8-point plan that he introduced back on February 2nd. Other than the suspension of the township committee’s yearly stipend, none of his ideas listed below were worthy enough for consideration:

1. Suspend the entire Township Committee’s salaries.
2. Freeze all non-essential hiring not required by law.
3. Freeze all union and non-union salaries.
4. Evaluate all non-essential, non-revenue generating programs for elimination.
5. Seek out additional shared service arrangements.
6. Sell surplus township property and assets.
7. Eliminate all non-essential Township subscriptions and dues payments.
8. Eliminate all conference and travel expenses unless required by law for continuing education requirements.

Now, how can someone have the nerve to sit in front of others and say with a straight face that the only remaining area in the budget in which to cut or reduce would be police manpower? Were the other 7 out of 8 recommendations that Tony Fiore proposed deemed to essential by his fellow Republicans and therefore taken off the table?

I have a several budget savings ideas, in no particular order, that I would like to recommend to Tony Fiore and his Republican colleagues to consider before the next time they infer that the only option left open to the Township Committee is to cut the budget by reducing the size of Middletown’s police force:

1. Privatize the Cultural Arts Center or change its mission to allow for-profit organizations to rent and utilize the building.
2. Reduce the number of township supplied employee cars.
3. Reduce the operating hours for the Kanes lane recycling facility.
4. Privatize a portion of public works.
5. Fund Middletown Matters by sell advertisments instead of by tax payer dollars.
6. Consolidating purchases, printing and advertising.

Based on the horrible outcome of this year’s budget process to the residents of Middletown, it is essential that the Township Committee establish a Budget/Finance Committee that would interact with township personnel well before the end of the calendar year and make specific recommendations to the Township Committee on budget matters. To leave important budget issues up to the State, like was done with this years budget, is irresponsible.

And to suggest that the only option left to the Committee to reduce spending is to lay-off township police officers, is just plain stupid.

Orszag Sets The Record Straight "No Rationing Of Health Care"

Fox News' Chris Wallace asked OMB Director Peter Orszag this morning if the administration will be "rationing" health care by establishing a commission of doctors and medical experts to oversee medical practices. Orszag, thankfully, called this a "canard" and pointed to the status quo.

"The fact of the matter is, right now, politicians and insurance companies are making decisions," Orszag explained. "We're saying, we want doctors to be making decisions."

Wallace said once these physicians start "making decisions," they'll be in the business of telling consumers which medical treatments they can and cannot have. So, Orszag turned the question around: "Do you think that politicians are currently rationing care? Or insurance companies are currently rationing care? There are no set of decisions that this commission would have that is not currently resting with either members of Congress or insurance companies."
- The Washington Monthly, Steve Benen

CBO Scores Confirm Deficit Neutrality of Health Insurance Reform Bill

Late Friday the Congressional Budget Office issued estimates that states for the first time that "H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, is deficit neutral over the 10-year budget window - and even produces a $6 billion surplus."

The estimates also cover important reinvestments in Medicare and Medicaid, including phasing in the closing of the “donut” hole in the Medicare drug benefit.

The estimates issued by the CBO are good news for President Obama and the Democrats in congress because they show that indeed, health insurance reform can be deficit neutral and pay for itself.

Here is what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had to say on her blog:

"The CBO report confirms that The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act delivers on a critical promise President Obama and the House have made to the American people: health insurance reform legislation will be paid for.

After an historic day yesterday when two out of three committees in the House passed the legislation, Congress has made major progress on health insurance reform that will put patients and doctors back in charge, ensure quality, affordable, and accessible health care for America’s middle class and control the spiraling costs of health care through innovative reforms.

As the legislative process moves forward, we will continue to look for ways to squeeze more savings out of the system."

HOLT SUPPORTS HOUSE HEALTH CARE REFORM PROPOSAL IN COMMITTEE; PLEDGES TO IMPROVE BILL AS PROCESS CONTINUES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2009

As Member of House Committee on Education and Labor, Holt Works to Strengthen Public Option, Small Business and Health Care Employment Training

(Washington, DC) – Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today voted for – in the House Committee on Education and Labor – the America’s Affordable Health Choice Act, legislation introduced in the House, with the intention of extending coverage to all Americans, improving the quality of care, expanding preventative care, and reducing the health care costs that Americans pay. The reform proposal would build on the existing system, so that if people are happy with the insurance they have, they can keep it. While helping to pass the bill in Committee, Holt noted that this is an intermediate step in the legislative process and that he wants to continue to improve the bill, strengthening the parts providing for a public option, small business benefits, and training for health care workers.

In June, Holt hosted a group of Central New Jersey primary care and patient advocates in Washington to hear their experiences on the front-line of health care and meet with leaders in health reform. For example, a pediatrician shared her story that primary care providers like her are struggling to see more patients, while receiving lower payments from insurance companies for her primary care services. On Monday, Holt held a roundtable at the Henry J. Austin Health Center in Trenton. Participants included small business owners, patient advocates, health care providers, doctors and nurses.

“We no longer can accept the status quo. I believe this year we will reform our broken health care system, but I know this will not be easy,” Holt said. “Since Teddy Roosevelt was President, the Congress has tried to pass universal health reform. However, with Presidential leadership, a supportive Congress, and an American public that understands what is at stake, the table is set for historic reform. As primary care providers and patients from Central New Jersey have told me, we must fix our health care system to keep individuals healthy, prevent diseases, and provide health security for all Americans. Today we have taken an important, though not final, step.”

A summary of the legislation can be found at http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AAHCA-BILLSUMMARY-071409.pdf.

In supporting the bill in Committee, Holt highlighted two features: creating a public health insurance plan and increasing the resources devoted to primary care. Holt argued that a public health insurance plan needs to be included to lower costs and improve health care delivery. In addition to increasing competition, Holt said, a public plan would provide a way to inject innovative strategies to deliver higher-quality and lower-cost health care, such as encouraging integrated medical care and increasing primary care. Holt also noted that the legislation includes several proposals to improve primary care by increasing the workforce and enlarging community health centers.

“In 2009, health care spending is projected to reach $8,160 per person, an amount sufficient to provide excellent care for everyone, yet 46 million Americans lack insurance and millions more have coverage that doesn’t meet their needs. Without health reform, businesses’ costs will continue to increase, families’ out-of-pocket costs will rise, and American workers will not receive the health care they need,” Holt said.

In addition to these provisions, Holt succeeded in adding two amendments to the legislation. One amendment would provide additional job training in order to expand the health care workforce. The White House Council on Economic Advisors released a report this week noting that the number of health care practitioner jobs, such as physicians and nurse practitioners, will grow by 35 percent between 2000 and 2016. Demand for health care support occupations, including medical records and health information technicians, clinical laboratory technicians, and physical therapists are expected to increase by 48 percent.

The bill would creates a competitive National Health Workforce Online Training Grant program for universities, community colleges, non-profits, workforce investment boards, and others to increase the number of online training programs for individuals seeking health care jobs. Grant recipients would be required to reach out to workforce investment boards, local governments, educational institutions, and other workforce training organizations to disseminate their knowledge. The bill also would establish an online health professions training program clearinghouse, which would collect and nationally disseminate the best practices learned by grantees.

The online job program would support programs similar to one offered by Rutgers University and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The Director of the Rutgers Center for Women and Work, Dr. Eileen Applebalum, and Assistant Professor and Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Mary Gatta commended Holt for including the amendment.

“As so much research, including our own, has demonstrated online learning provides significant benefits and advantages to dislocated and incumbent workers in developing and expanding their skills to compete in our economy,” Appelbaum and Gatta wrote in a letter. “Online learning provides accessible, flexible, cost-effective, and most-up-to date training. This is particularly important in the healthcare fields, as there are significant shortages of skilled workers in several fields, and existing workers must ensure that their skills are compatible with job demands.”

Another amendment, which Holt cosponsored with Subcommittee Chair Rob Andrews and Reps. Phil Hare and Donald Payne would create small employer benefit arrangements (SEBAs), which provide a new way for affiliated small businesses to join together to offer health insurance and other benefits to their employees.

Holt first learned about SEBAs from Wilson H. Beebe, Jr., Chairman, the Alliance for Employee Benefit Cooperatives and Executive Director, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association. Beebe regonized the work of Holt and others for including the amendment in the legislation.

“We appreciate all of their hard work and are lucky to have such effective legislators representing us in Washington,” Beebe said. “Self-governed SEBAs will assist small businesses in taking advantage of the opportunities provided by national health reform. By allowing SEBAs to negotiate premium and plan design on the basis of occupational demographics and administrative economies of scale, we expect to further reduce premium costs. Moreover, we can provide professional evaluation of the plan options available in the market-place suitable to our membership and workforce.”

Sean F. Byrnes Campaign For Freeholder Website Up And Running

Monmouth County Democratic Freeholder Candidate, Middletown's Sean F. Byrnes has his campaign website up and running, it's very neat, stylish and user friendly. Check it out @ Byrnesforfreeholder.com

The Byrnes for Freeholder website is one of the nicest campaign websites I have seen in a long time, really first rate. If it is any indication on how the campaign will be run,

I'm sure that Sean Byrnes will be successful in November. It is well thought out and very informative about Sean and the issues that effect Monmouth County.

Saturday Morning Cartoons:Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse

It's Saturday morning once again, it's time to jump into the "Catmoblie" and get back to the "Cat Cave" for my Wheaties with Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse.

Case Of The Cat Gun Caper

President Obama's Weekly Address: 7/18/09

The President calls on Congress to seize this opportunity one that may not come again for decades and finally pass health care reform: Its about every family unable to keep up with soaring out of pocket costs and premiums rising three times faster than wages. Every worker afraid of losing health insurance if they lose their job, or change jobs. Everyone whos worried that they may not be able to get insurance or change insurance if someone in their family has a pre-existing condition July 18, 2009.

Complete Audio From Middletown Special Budget Meeting 7/13/09

I haven't had time as of yet to break down the audio from Monday nights special budget meeting in Middletown.

I intend to isolate comments and questions for easier listen, but until I make time to do it I thought that it would be both informative and interesting to hear the meeting in it's entirety, all 2 and a half hours, as it happened.

The listener can fast forward or rewind as they wish. If you have any questions leave a comment and I'll answer the best I can.

Who Says Corzine Hasn't Done Enough For Business?

Critics of Governor Corzine are quick to jump on the “Wizard of Wall St.” for being out of touch with the needs of the business community. They say that for all of his financial knowledge and wizardry, the Governor’s policies and the actions of the Democrats in the State House have lead to high taxes and unnecessary, burdensome regulations being placed on businesses throughout New Jersey. These burdensome taxes and regulations are pointed to by critics as the reason for job losses and business flight from the state.

Of course many of Governor Corzine’s critics forget that New Jersey didn’t get this way over night, Democrats have not always been in control of Trenton, the Republicans had their chances to screw up the State during the beginning part of the decade.

You wouldn’t know it from all of the negativity brought on by the recession but Governor Corzine has been very proactive in trying to promote business in the state. The Corzine Administration has positively changed the business climate in New Jersey by streamlining government, tackling property taxes, investing in our public infrastructure, revitalizing our urban centers and investing in new technology. And yes, it’s true whether you wish to believe it or not, New Jersey is poised to rebound from the global recession stronger than ever before because of Jon Corzine.

The New Jersey Economic Assistance & Recovery Plan which was devised back in October by the Governor was the first plan of its kind in the nation to launch a comprehensive economic recovery plan to address the effects of the recession on our state:

INVEST NJ, one of the cornerstones of the Governor’s plan has exceeded everyone’s expectations thus far. It provides $3,000 for each new full time job created and maintained in NJ to eligible businesses, it is expected to create 16,666 new private sector jobs in 2 years as well as provides for $70 million in grants to offset sales tax on capital investment for business operations.

The Main Street Business Assistance program provides $50 million in financing for small and mid-sized businesses.
The Corzine administration made significant, long-term legal, tax and accounting adjustments sought by the business community, which is estimated to result in more than $125 million in savings for NJ businesses.

Over the past 3 years Governor Corzine has supported urban investment and revitalization by enhancing the Urban Enterprise Zones, which supports 150,000 jobs and has garnered $24 billion in new private investment.

Jon Corzine has championed the construction of the Mass Transit Tunnel between NJ and Manhattan. The Mass Transit Tunnel will create 6,000 construction jobs each year over the life of the project, and generate 44,000 permanent jobs upon its completion. The Tunnel will add $10 billion in gross regional product and $4 billion in additional real personal income. And with help from President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act other desperately needed infrastructure projects will be made possible which will lead to even more job creation over the next 2 years.

Finally, two areas in which the Governor doesn’t seem to get credit for is his efforts are at streamlining government and the environment

The Governor centralized the economic decision-making in the Governor’s Office of Economic Growth and consolidated the Economic Development Authority. He also strengthened New Jersey’s finances by reducing the size of government. Jon Corzine eliminated agencies and cut the workforce by 7,000 positions.

The Governor increased the efficiency at the Department of Environmental Protection by convening a permit task force and signed the landmark Permit Extension Act and he also signed legislation to expedite the remediation and redevelopment of more than 20,000 contaminated sites in New Jersey.

New Jersey is better off today because of the good work Jon Corzine has done over the past 3 years as our Governor, as the economy turns around lost jobs will return. And with the policies put in place by Jon Corzine, New Jersey will not only be more business friendly it will also lead the Nation in job creation.

With Middletown Budget Now Re-Introduced, CFO Richard Wright Resigns

Now that the proposed FY 2009 Middletown budget has be amended and re-introduced to residents by former CFO Bob Roth, who the township committee hired on May 18 as a consultant, to assist the township as it prepared its 2009 budget after Township CFO Richard Wright went on sick leave, comes word that Richard Wright has officially handed in his resignation.

Wright developed a mystery illness shortly after informing the Township Committee that he had made a clerical error which resulted in a $2.4 million hole in the budget back in early May, after it was introduced on April 20th and has been on sick leave ever since.

In earlier posts on the Middletown budget, I had stated that Richard Wright would never come back to work because in actuality the man was not sick and that in fact he had been fired.

The Republicans that control the township committee made a face saving deal with Wright, they constructed a story that had Wright coming down with some serious and somewhat chronic condition, which prohibited him from performing his duties as CFO and a had him take time off as sick leave, until a sufficiant about of time had passed (several weeks and the township budget re-presented) in which then would hand in his resignation.

The one thing that I have to say about this situations is this, for once the republicans in charges, in my opinion did something right and did not throw the man under the bus. From all accounts Richard Wright was a decent and likable guy who did a good and capable job. However, what got him in trouble with his bosses at times was his honesty at answering questions, he was too honest and clearly not practiced enough in the political ways of the Middeltown GOP.

After all this I hope that he lands on his feet and I wish him well in his future endeavors.

You can read the official version of his resignation HERE from the Asbury Park Press.

A Quick Synopsis Of The Middletown Budget Mess

Last night Middletown re-introduced the FY 2009 budget and to summed up in very plain and simple language, it is a MESS !!

The budget has been put together by the use of smoke and mirrors - no cost reductions or spending cuts of any kind to speak of.

Here is a quick synopsis of last nights meeting, I'll have more to say and discuss over the next few days once i have sufficient time to review my audio recordings of the meeting:

Contrary to previous reports Bob Roth really did not find any hidden monies, when he presented the budget to the local finance board in Trenton, the state told Middletown that they could reduce the amount of reserve for unpaid taxes to the state mandated minimum which saved the township $1.2M.

Next week there will be another ordinance to be voted on by the township committee that will take another reserve fund, that has been laying around since 2006, and put it into the budget for another $399k 1 shot revenue gimmick .

The "tireless " hunting for savings that the Majority search for resulted in a few minor reductions and few increases in line items throughout.

I have to hand it to Bob Roth, after over 20 years of being CFO, he really knows his stuff. the man had explanations for everything that was brought up, but overall there were no real cost savings in this budget, just the 1 shot use of surpluses that were moved into the budget.

Now that Middletown has used these 1 shot gimmicks, there will be no substantial reserves to work with next year. It will be interesting to see how that will work.

The bottom line is this, even after the use of the surpluses it did not save the township from a significant tax increase of 5.8%. And by deferring payment of half of Middletown's pension obligations of $600K, which was a requirement by the state to qualify for the cap wavier, it will cost Middletown an additional 4% interest over the next 12 years on that deferral.

Where is the saving there? If Middletown did a better job at managing it's finances and did not need to seek a cap waiver, Middletown would not have to defer payments it's pension obligations.

This is just another case of mismanagement of the towns finances by the majority of the Committee and really gives credence to Sean Byrnes request to establish and head a Finance committee.

Tony Fiore came out to say that real cuts to the budget would have meant reducing police staff and other essential services that he would have been unwilling to make, which is utter nonsense! There are other areas in which to cut like travel, magazines,office supplies, utility costs at the Arts Center, Parks and Rec, Middletown Matters, the possibilities are endless if he and the majority were willing end the cronyism and patronage that they practice.

What this budget shows me is a total lack of leadership by the Republican majority who were and are, unwilling to make hard and necessary choices.

What this budget really does is it pushes harder decisions off until next year, it creates a huge hole in next years budget due to the fact that there is no surpluses left to raid.

How much will it cost us then ?

Budget Meeting In Middletown Tonight

Tonight at Town hall there will be a special budget meeting to discuss and adopt the FY 2009 budget, it should be interesting to see how this proposed budget differs from the propsed budget that was introduced on April 20th.

The town has announced that the budget will be $1.3 million less then last years budget, but will still require 1.95 cent tax increase per $100 of assest value. This new budget proposal is less then the 3.02 tax increase which was part of the April 20th introduction and needs to be amended accordingly.

Date: Monday, July 13, 2009

Time 7:00 p.m.

Place: Middletown Town Hall-Main Meeting Room

One Kings Highway

Middletown, NJ 07748

Known Action Items: Public Hearing 2009 Municipal and Solid Waste Budget, Public Hearing Ordinance 2009-2964 to exceed Municpal Budget Appropriation Limits and Establish a Cap Bank, Introduction Amendment to 2009 Municipal Budget

A Life Lost Out of the Spotlight

While watching CBS's Sunday Morning today I was moved by the segment about Brian Bradshaw, who died in Afghanistan on June 25, the same day as the "king of Pop" Michael Jackson.

And just as millions of people will remember where the were when they heard the news of Jackson death, Martha Gillis, Brian Bradshaw aunt will always remember where she was when she learned of her nephews passing.

The following video testament to her nephew and the sacrifice that he made for our freedom, kind of puts things into perspective as to what is really important and who should be remembered more for their accomplishments.


Watch CBS Videos Online

My 24-year-old nephew, Brian Bradshaw, died in Afghanistan on June 25, killed by an IED, but you'd never have known it from the national media.

I cannot tell you how that silence added to the pain of losing this bright, funny, thoughtful young man, whom I remember so vividly as a toddler, wandering the house in cowboy boots and hat (and nothing else).

I suspect it's a pain shared by many of the 4,000-plus grieving families whose loved ones have sacrificed their lives in two wars that have largely disappeared from the news.

When I flew West for Brian's funeral, the mayor of his small home town personally met each of dozens of flights of arriving family members. Flags flew at half-staff. Six hundred people attended the funeral service.

That is partly a testament to Brian's remarkable capacity to connect with people and leave a lasting impression - his lopsided grins were so infectious. It is also a testament to the level of caring and support the town offered to my bereaved sister and her husband.

Even the desk clerk who checked us into our hotel attended, as a simple gesture of common humanity.

Along the route from the church to the cemetery, people came out of their houses to stand with their hands over their hearts or to wave small American flags. Cars going in the opposite direction stopped. Some drivers got out to stand in respect.

To all of them, I say "Thank you. You know how to honor those who serve to protect you."

Once I left town, though, soldier's deaths once again became invisible.

Because of the incredible kindness of the people of Steilacoom, Wash., however, I wonder how many other people, in Maine or Texas or New York City, would also have honored Brian and the other soldiers who have died in the last two weeks if the media had simply let them know:

Somebody's little boy died today. Someone's little girl found out today that Daddy is never coming home.

That news is hard to bear; when the nation they died for barely notices, it's crushing.

Looking For Canvassers In Monmouth County !!!

The people behind the Corzine campaign in Monmouth County are looking for some able bodied canvassers.

If you know of some responsible people at least 16 years old, who are interested in part time work and want to get involved with the Corzine campaign, email:

victory09monmouth@gmail.com.

Their schedule is 4pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on Saturday. The campaign organizers will be willing to work with individual schedules.

$10 an hour to start and end at the Freehold office.

You may also call the Monmouth County Democratic Headquarters if interested @ 732-333-0739.

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Precious Pup

The T.V is on and the Frosted Flakes are nice and soggy, It's time for some Saturday morning cartoons!

President Obama's Weekly Address: 7/11/09

The President explains how the Recovery Act helped end our economic free fall, and how his agenda is helping to set a new foundation for our economy. From health reform, to energy, to creating the jobs of the future, the Presidents proposals will make our economy stronger for both the current generations and our children, all in a way that will get our deficits under control.

Rep. Holt discusses economic recovery efforts on Comcast Local Edition

Howard Dean Slams 'Spineless' Dems And Obama On Health Care

In case you missed it last night, Howard Dean joined Keith Olbermann last night to talk about what the Democrats might expect if the falter on health care issues and he was totally on point. Dean explained that it wasn't about being conservative or liberal but whether or not you side with the Insurance Companies over the American people and he wondered if Obama and the Dems current plans are really change we can believe in or just something else. MSNBC's Countdown 07/07/09 - Air America Media

Middletown's Byrnes Responds to Republican's Criticism Over "No" vote on COAH Resolution

I write in response to the recent letter of Mr. Peter VanNortwick criticizing Pat Short and me for our vote against a recent COAH Resolution, 09-128, abolishing the Council on Affordable Housing. Initially, I would challenge Mr. VanNortwick to substantiate the quote attributed to Mr. Short. His assertion that Mr. Short opposed the Resolution because it eliminated a “handout to some of the residents of the town” is absurd.

This Resolution had a political objective. The Republicans at the local and county level have been working for the better part of the last year to make COAH a lightning rod for this year’s election. Conjuring up images of local communities overrun with “low income” outsiders and decrying the conversion of our pastoral Township into an “urban” landscape, locally elected officials have roundly criticized Trenton for its COAH legislation and will no doubt deem all locally elected Democrats guilty by association. The sponsor, Deputy Mayor Scharfenberger, no doubt hoped that Mr. Short and I would vote no to the gross exaggerations contained in the Resolution. He got what he wanted.

For the record, Mr. Short and I share many of their concerns regarding COAH, but found the error-ridden Resolution to be political hyperbole. Mr. Short and I voted in support of Middletown joining the state-wide litigation challenging the most recent COAH legislation. We too feel the implementation strategy pursued by the State is unworkable and unfair to Middletown. The Middletown Township Committee also voted 5-0, 3 Republicans and 2 Democrats, in support of the Affordable Housing Plan submitted by Middletown Township to the State. Mr. Short and I have also consistently expressed in our public comments our dissatisfaction with the most recent legislation implementing the Supreme Court’s affordable housing mandate. From my perspective, if we cannot overturn the most recent round of legislation, then the State should impose a three year moratorium on its implementation. Requiring implementation of these new State requirements at a time when we are suffering through the worst financial crisis in 50 years makes little sense. This would give municipalities, developers and taxpayers a breather while our economy hopefully rebounds a bit.

The Resolution cited by Mr. VanNortwick and introduced by Deputy Mayor Scharfenbeger, however, is flawed. It attempts to play on people’s fears and grossly overstates the impact of COAH. As an example, the Resolution approved by our Township Committee states that “approximately 10,000 more units of housing would have to be approved for construction in the Township of Middletown” requiring Middletown to “forfeit any reasonable zoning principles, land use regulations and open space preservation efforts”. There are no plans to build anywhere close to 10,000 units of housing and we continue to preserve open space. I vigorously objected to this ridiculous assertion when the Resolution was passed. I am heartily in favor of debate, and our Township Committee has come a long way in the past two years in terms of debating Township issues out in public, but it is a dangerous precedent to fill official Township resolutions with gross exaggerations and distortions in order to achieve political ends. If I am mistaken, I would encourage Mr. VanNortwick to review our Affordable Housing Plan and show me where the 10,000 new units of housing are going.

Middletown Republicans False Rants and Drivel Continue

When I opened up my inbox tonight I found the following letter from Lincroft resident Barbara Thorpe.

Mrs. Thorpe has lived in Middletown most, if not all of her life. She has been very active in town and has seen many changes to to the community over the years and when Barbara Thorpe talks people listen.

She wrote this letter in response to some very uninformed and totally untrue drivel that Tristen Nelsen wrote about Middletown Democratic Committeeman Sean Byrnes and his efforts to establish a finance committee to recommend, advise and to help the Township Committee with preparing the yearly budget.

For those of you who do not know who Tristen Nelsen is, she is the failed Republican candidate for Township Committee that came in 4th behind her runningmate Gerry Sharfenberger and Democrats Sean Byrnes and Janet Moscuzza two years ago. But I'll have my own rebuttel to her letter later, below is Mrs. Thorpe's:

"The republican political hacks in Middletown continue the ridiculous drivel they have become noted for these many last months and perhaps years. This now includes the candidate who lost to Committeeman Sean Byrnes two years ago. Hasn't Tristen Nelsen ever heard ,no one respects a sore loser ?? Sean Byrnes out qualified her plain and simple Maybe her most notable qualification was her last name and whatever connection she has to the newly appointed township attorney .

The people in this town want fair representation of each resident,regardless of partisan politics.and Sean Byrnes and Patrick Short try to provide representation of all the people of Middletown. It's no longer business behind closed doors as it's been for so many years in the past under an unchallenged majority of republicans.

Speaking to the budget in Middletown.this township has no approved budget because the Republican majority has stonewalled every attempt at reaching a consensus for a budget in Middletown. They are so used to doing whatever they wanted without restraint. They can't cope with two Democrats now involved in making policy here in town. The Republicans have their heads in the sand and are oblivious to current economic conditions in this town,this county ,this state and this country. Rhetoric doesn't solve problems. Action solves problems ! A budget committee is a good idea as suggested by Committeeman Byrnes.

The Township of Middletown also needs a forensic audit by an accredited accounting firm with no ties to any politician in this township. The need is long overdue. The question is, what are the republicans trying to hide ?? It's time to find out !!!

Barbara R.Thorpe
Lincroft,N.J.

Unfair to Corzine, Blind-Eye to Christie

The following letter appeared in the Asbury Park Press yesterday. Written in support of Governr Jon Corzine, the letter points out the paper's apparent bias against Democrats and support for Republicans.

Sanford L. Cook from Ocean, points out in his letter how the Asbury Park Press asks readers to keep a watchful eye and to keep score on Corzine's activities but yet turns a blind-eye to the words and dealings of Chris Christie, the Governor's opponent in November's election.

What really struck me about this letter is the fact that the Asbury Park Press printed it but left it off of the newspapers online version where people could comment on it, all of yesterday's letters are online other than Mr. Cook's.

Maybe Mr. Cook of Ocean Township has a point!

As the Asbury Park Press builds its crescendo "reporting" on Democratic spending in New Jersey, the reader should keep a watchful eye on the so-called objective staff reports and editorials that vilify Democrats and glorify Republicans.

How many dollars is the reporting and editorializing of the Press worth to the Republicans' campaigns?

The Press has asked readers to, keep score on Gov. Jon Corzine's activities with added – usually - negative - language and Republican-politicized remarks to any events that report Corzine's successes. This governor is repeatedly lauded by the national press as a leader, guiding New' Jersey through a global recession, particularly with the restraints and taxing issues he inherited from past administrations.

Republicans conveniently remind us of Corzine's first-term campaign statements during a prosperous economy compared to the current economic environment. It wouldn't be surprising for Corzine to be blamed for the wet spring and swine flu.

Yet GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie asks that "we watch Corzine's actions and not his words."

So far Corzine's actions look pretty good to all except the Press, the Republicans and those who still cling to the "throw-the-bum-out" clichés of the past. On the other hand, Christie - who tells us not to listen to his opponent regarding selective parts of Christie's past - is without a program of his own beyond simplistic, populist slogans reminiscent of Karl Rove and George Bush tactics .

To paraphrase Christie's own war cry: "Look at Christie's actions and not what he says." Is anybody in great suspense as to whom the Press will endorse for governor and county offices?

Sanford L. Cook
Ocean Township

Grassley's Health Plan: Go Work For The Federal Government

Christie Logic on Energy: Support Obama, Blast Corzine

Yesterday, Chris Christie released his energy plan in which he praised the efforts of President Obama and the federal government but blasted Jon Corzine for not doing enough to lead and develop alternative energy solutions like wind and solar power.

The irony here is that much of the Obama administration's plans for renewable energy and job creation has come from the ideas of Jon Corzine and what he is doing in New Jersey.

Blue Jersey's Jason Springer even points out that two of Christie's campaign co- chairs, Leonard Lance and Frank LoBiondo, disagree with Christie's assessment of Corzine's energy efforts:

Leonard Lance-

"The fact of the matter is New Jersey and the Northeast are well ahead of the curve on many of the key elements of the legislation before the House.
"Here at home, the state of New Jersey is already subject to limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants under the ten-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. And our state renewable portfolio standard is more aggressive than the federal program contained in the bill.

"New Jersey serves as a national model for its investments in new, clean energy technologies that have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and created thousands of jobs. I heard from a number of New Jersey's leading businesses that firmly believe today's legislation would strengthen our state economy through innovative and sustainable job creation. It is time for other states to follow New Jersey's leadership and do their share to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate development of low-carbon energy sources and green jobs."

Congressman Frank LoBiondo, who also recognizes New Jersey's role, under the leadership of Governor Corzine in leading the way:

"This is by no means a perfect bill but, for New Jersey businesses and families, many of the federal standards that will be created are mirroring state standards long on the books. For the past decade, New Jersey has been forward-looking in its energy policy and sought to establish diverse, renewable alternative sources of energy to meet the state's needs. From the development of biofuels based on crop waste and planning for additional nuclear reactors, to building small and large-scale wind farms and countless solar panel projects, individuals and municipalities recognized opportunities and took action.

"In the process, new local businesses were founded and jobs were created in the emerging 'green industry' here in New Jersey. What must happen next is the growth of domestic manufacturing of the materials needed for alternative energy production, such as solar cells, wind turbines and environmentally-friendly buildings. This legislation rightly focuses on growing that manufacturing base, creating green jobs and finally establishing our energy Independence. The positive effects will be felt nationally and here in South Jersey. These are objectives I have long believed and advocated for as part of a national energy policy."

So Mr. Christie, you can't play it from both ends. If you support the President's "American Clean Energy and Security Act" which calls for creating hundreds of thousands of new, high paying jobs through clean and renewable technologies, then how can you blast Governor Corzine for the exact same stance? Especially since Jon Corzine has been a leader on energy since taking office 3 years ago and the Obama plan is modeled on what New Jersey and Governor Corzine has been doing.