Is any real Democratic leadership left in NJ?
The election of Barack Obama only reinforces my belief that Gov. Corzine can be defeated in a Democratic primary next year. Let's face it, there may be something wrong with turning the Democratic Party over to former Wall Street CEOs who spent their lives vigorously pursuing money until they decided to buy an elected office.
Obama is not going to spare New Jersey of its disastrous governor and if he is not challenged by a Democratic candidate who actually shares the values of this party, then we are handing the GOP a chance to regain power in this state.
Three problems face America under all the talk about economic crisis and war in Iraq and terrorism and health care...
One, too much wealth is concentrated in fewer and fewer hands. This upsets the balance of things necessary to maintaining the nature of capitalism and it allows the rich and powerful to undermine democracy. America faces a risk that democracy will be lost unless our government acts to balance the scales. The rich should pay their fair share in taxes to support the state, which enabled them freedom and security to become rich.
Two, the instrument for containing "the moneyed interests" -- government -- seems dominated by ideologues who profess that this concentration of wealth is a good thing and others, who seem only interested in their own status. Aside from the evil or corrupt, there are a large number of cowards who won't take on battles so big that they can make a difference, for fear of offending the rich and power or their greedy counterparts.
Three, Democratic Party leaders have become much like the Republicans, leaving the large majority of people unrepresented in the halls of power. A former Wall Street CEO like Jon Corzine cannot share the values of common middle-class and poor people who should be the bedrock of the Democratic Party. Do you have the capacity to understand and sympathize with billionnaires?
Corzine promised an ethical performance, but instead he bought himself the loyalty of power brokers and political bosses with our tax dollars. Corzine promised financial wizardry, fair taxes and education reform, but he delivered only band aids and proposals for digging NJ deeper in debt while discarding our assets.
Corzine has been an empty suit when it comes to real ethics reform. We have elected officials benefiting from public contracts and holding multiple taxpayer-funded jobs, which puts them at the mercy of those who control such contracts and jobs.
When did the Democratic Party become the party of aristocrats and crooks? More than 100 political figures have been indicted or convicted of corruption but no real law enforcement action has come from the state.
After Jim McGreevey led what may have been the most corrupt administration in NJ history, people want a change. Corzine promised that change and he cheated us by being just like McGreevey.
You know, my dog could be remembered as the greatest governor in history if we put him in the State House and let him borrow $40 billion, but someone who followed would suffer for it along with all the residents remaining when the bills came due. Corzine failed to hoodwink us the first time around but whether he may do it in a second term unless a Republican replaces him.
Either way, New Jersey deserves better. New Jersey deserves real Democratic leadership. The only question is, 'Is any out there?'
A candidate who challenges Jon Corzine in the 2009 Democratic primary would be entitled to two dollars in public funding for every qualified dollar raised from grassroots supporters (once the threshold is reached). While Corzine may again write a $60 million check to fund his own campaign, he cannot escape from his record and a Karl Rove style campaign will only make him look more like a George Bush clone.
With the $4 million-plus available to a Democratic challenger who is successful at maximizing public funding, the smaller and more sophisticated primary electorate may be reached in a way that levels the playing field and gives real people the chance to take back out party. Remember when Hillary Clinton was the inevitable nominee?
These are times of great change, but people better avail themselves of this opportunity.
