NJ Today

Democrats Move Party Away From The People

Only days after voters expressed dissatisfaction with New Jersey by firing Jon Corzine, who failed to assert control over the government and curb the power of party bosses, those political insiders are scheming to move on as if nothing has happened.

Sheila Oliver of East Orange, and Joseph Cryan of Union, are said to be leading candidates for top Assembly leadership positions while Steve Sweeney is about to become state Senate President. All three of them are double dippers, freeloading politicians who collect more than one paycheck at taxpayer expense.

Essex County Administrator Oliver, Union County Undersheriff Cryan and Gloucester County Freeholder Sweeney represent politics as usual, a system where public officials take for themselves and serve their masters without a care for the people -- those whom government is made by, for and of.

Democrats need bright and articulate new blood who can challenge the GOP, but power brokers are advancing the same tired old hacks.

We need leaders who do not have a government job or a second elected office, where their self interest creates a conflict that prevents them from honestly representing voters who elected them.

After making dual office holding illegal -- but not doubling up on taxpayer jobs -- the Senate is going to elect a dual office holder as its president and two other job hogs are going to be placed in charge of the Assembly.

The New Jersey Legislature is no longer controlled by the Democratic Party, but by the corrupt power brokers who have displaced good government with greed.

It is time that someone must accept responsibility for this condition, and that is me and you. We elected the people who hold public office, and if the same old crooked insiders run unopposed, it is because too many of us sit on the sidelines without taking action.

Americans are not the kind of people who die quietly without a fight. We did not become a beacon of freedom by lying back while indignities are heaped upon us.

This condition of political apathy is a relatively new thing, inspired in part by miles of broken promises and in part by the destructively negative, scortched earth campaigns waged by many politicians. If you are depressed about not having a job, just think of how you will feel if your children are denied the rights and opportunities you have taken for granted all these years.

The solution is not hard to figure out. Get on the phone right now, assemble your friend and neighbors and hold a discussion about who should be elected to replace the politicians who have disappointed us.

Start with replacements for your council members and mayor then identify potential candidates for county freeholder and state legislator.

As you develop lists, join with like minded citizens who have done the same and approach prospective candidates about taking action and saving our society.

I will be glad to help insurgent citizens who step forward to challenge failed politicians, but win, lose or draw, by offering competition in primary elections you will have succeeded in pushing government back in the right direction.

Participation is a vital part of democracy. It is up to you to show up and make yourself matter.