Thursday, March 31, 2005

Corzine and the Basics

Yesterday Jon Corzine officially announced his candidacy for New Jersey Governor.
"It's time for a leader who comes to state government from a different experience: someone who is not encumbered by an old culture, historical entanglements and the status quo," he said.


Truthfully, it's time for a leader who doesn't have to make deals with people who have their own agendas in order to get funding and votes. Sure, that's harsh, but it's my opinion that the support of those with less than the state's best interests in mind have played too large a role in getting our state-level leaders elected. I think that we've started down the right path of spending reform in the state with Codey, and I hope to see Corzine continue down it.

There are those who would criticize, of course. From the article above:
In a written statement, New Jersey Republican Chairman Tom Wilson criticized Corzine's record, saying it shows him to be "a classic tax and spend Democrat."

"Trusting Jon Corzine to cut New Jersey's budget would be about as smart as trusting Michael Jackson to babysit your kids," Wilson said.


Now, of course, if you've been reading me for any amount of time, you know how I feel about "tax and spend" - IT'S HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK. What's the opposite of tax and spend, borrow and spend, so that we have massive debt? Tax and spend less, so that we have fewer programs? Tax less and spend less, so that we have fewer programs and no money in the bank to deal with emergencies? No. We, as a densely populated, successful state, pay taxes. With these taxes, we do things like pave roads, fund schools, provide social programs, and pay the salaries of all the people who arrange and provide these services. Without the taxes, the money does not come from the air.

Can we spend our money more wisely? Absolutely. Do I think that Corzine can fix all of our problems? No, of course not. This is government, after all, and every cut affects someone, every reform brings new challenges. But I do believe that he'll do his best, and that's all I personally ask. Perhaps his plans will "ease the tax burdens" of NJ citizens, as he says. I think we should give him the chance to try.

No comments: