The elections of 2000 will be remembered as the turning point when losing politicians demand vote recounts instead of accepting defeat with grace. This trend fits in nicely with the politically correct times we live in. Never accept personal responsibility; blame everyone for your problems and mistakes.
The reason Dick Zimmer lost the 12th District congressional race is because the voters threw him out. When Mr. Zimmer was elected representative, he spent all his time in Washington carrying water for Newt Gingrich. His idea of a town meeting was to attend a local Republican function.
There was little effort put into constituent service and telephone calls were not returned in a timely manner. Mr. Zimmer turned on local sportsmen after accepting their money and support. He stood firmly against Monmouth County commuters on the rail line issue. At a time when the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders supported a rail line, Mr. Zimmer supported the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) group from Middlesex County that opposed the rail line.
The lesson learned is: Voters of the 12th District are educated, aware and very interested in quality-of-life issues that affect their families. Politicians who take us for granted or who think they can ride in on the coattails of a popular ticket are only fooling themselves. Like Mr. Zimmer, they all end up crying and asking for one more chance.
Ralph Walsh
Freehold