Greg Bean’s column that appeared on Dec. 26 was right on the mark (“Day of Reckoning Is on the Horizon for Budget”). I would like to add that Gov. Jon Corzine and the lame duck Legislature don’t apparently get the message, “the money well has run dry, something realistic must be done.”
I really have no confidence that the newly elected elements of our Legislature will have the vision to see this problem as well – history has shown that those in Trenton have no comprehension of the money woes of their constituents, once elected, they effectively move to Planet Trenton and forget the rest of us exist.
Many people have expressed their views and the electorate has spoken that we don’t want money wasted on stem cell research, we don’t want our toll roads monetized, sold, toll hiked or tolls to be established on other roads, and we are tired of having our tax money sent into the Abbott (school) district quicksand.
The money manipulations proposed by the governor are reminiscent of those done at major financial institutions, such as the one that employed our governor prior to his political escapades, to make money without creating anything of value other than paper. It should be remembered that these manipulations have contributed to the inflated real estate market and the mortgage melt-down we are experiencing now. This type of financial adventure only shows results for the time needed for the instigator to make their money and move out, leaving others to clean up the resultant mess.
In the old West these people were called snake oil salesmen. We will not be able to afford to live in New Jersey unless Trenton finally sees the light.
What is needed is a “small business” mentality to restructure these state expenses. Overhead and expenses must be cut; double, triple and quadruple pension dipping must stop immediately; state workers must pay for part of their health insurance just as the rest of the employed do. Saying this, how do we get over the $3 billion budget shortfall (this) year? Very simple, we establish a plan to cut the sales tax and temporarily raise the income tax until we rebuild the economic foundation of this state.
One last thing, when Gov. Corzine visits the various towns to try to sell his toll road plan, we ask him to resign! He has proven to be unethical, uncaring, and not interested in helping the citizens of this state.
Thomas J. Kesolits
Holmdel