The rush to lead the pack with pay-to-play legislation — which is exploding throughout New Jersey — conjures some interesting thoughts. Make no mistake, I applaud Jennifer Beck’s efforts in Red Bank, as well as any other efforts in the works.
But there is one fact which cannot be overlooked — every pre-2003 incumbent, especially incumbents whose party held control over the Senate, assembly, council, etc., had to know of the allegedly corrupt system well before now. So why is it only now they are speaking up and coming forward, shocked and outraged by New Jersey’s flawed system? Most of them have been part of that system for years.
This entire scenario reminds me of the "blue line of defense," which occurs in police departments. Even assuming most officials are ethical and not taking part in the feeding frenzy against the public’s money, doesn’t being ethical as a government official — an official who takes a solemn oath to work for the public’s interests — require reporting and correcting abuse whenever and wherever it is found?
How can anyone who has served for five, 10, 20 years or more now claim to be righteously offended by their own system?
A number of years ago, term limits hit the news and, of course, faded almost as quickly as it came. After all, who would expect any incumbent to vote him/herself out of a job? But politicians know that we, the people, still have the ultimate power if only we choose to use it — the ballot.
If there was ever a good reason to vote against any and all incumbents — state, local or national — this it is. Why should we who pay the freight for all of this reward with reelection, anyone who stood by for all this time and did nothing to protect our interests? They should all be ashamed of themselves and voted out of office this November.
Eugene H. Goellner
Red Bank