Thankfully, they do not live in New Jersey.

This week a similar aged youth received a .22 rifle for his birthday. His photograph was also shared with the family.

Imagine their surprise when an anonymous phone call alerted both police and Child Protective Services causing a police response to the family home.

Fortunately, the father in this incident knew his gun rights and was astute enough to get his lawyer on the phone while the police and CPS were there, leaving them with a fairly innocuous end result. But just imagine if this happened to you or me and we did not have an attorney on speed dial? Could we lose our children, even for just a day, due to an over zealous enforcement agency?

Most everyone agrees that there is much that should be done to monitor guns in the hands of children and yet this overreaction seems to indicate that there are many with a complete intolerance of guns in private homes. Perhaps it is the difference between urban and rural lifestyles or perhaps it is a knee jerk reaction to recent gun tragedies. But it also may be that the agenda of the Obama administration is to remove all guns from homes and some enforcement/protection agencies are overzealous in their desire to promote it.

In less than a week since this nation re-elected Barack Obama, there are calls from numerous States to secede from The United States of America. We are no longer a United Nation. We are very much a Divided Nation. Many are standing together, calling for a peaceful divide.

The famous declaration for unity that you are familiar with has been attributed to Aesop’s fables, as well as John Dickinson’s Revolutionary War song, “The Liberty Song”, which was was published first in the Boston Gazette in 1768.

However, it was Patrick Henry that made the historic exclamation in what was to be his last public speech:

“Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.”

Patrick Henry’s declaration came at a very pivotal point in America’s history. It was March 1799, and Mr. Henry was “denouncing The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions”, which argued that the two states “had the right and the duty to declare unconstitutional any acts of Congress not authorized by The Constitution”.

This speech took such a toll on Patrick Henry that after the speech his “near lifeless body” was carried offstage and into the nearest tavern. He died just two months later.

We have now reached another pivotal point in this nation’s history.

In the November 6 election, the divide between the candidates was a little more than 3 million votes. Barack Obama received 61,910,594 votes, and Mitt Romney received 58,654,765 votes. When you look at the total number of votes cast, it is almost a clear cut down the middle. We are most definitely a divided nation. We can no longer stand together, when we are so obviously divided over so many issues. We have reached a breaking point that threatens to be anything but peaceful if things are not handled in a way in which every voice is heard and considered.

Citizens in Louisiana are now petitioning the White House to “Peacefully grant the State of Louisiana to withdraw from the United States of America”. The petition was created the day after the election, and has nearly 8,000 signatures in just 5 days.

It appears that this petition from Louisiana was the first of many to have been submitted to the “We The People” site on the official White House website. The site claims to be “Your Voice In OUR Government”. The question remains whether or not the Government will hear the many voices being raised. It is highly doubtful, as they have turned their noses up in arrogance towards We The People numerous times before.

It’s not just the state of Louisiana, the list of State Petitions calling to peacefully “withdraw from the United States of America” is growing by the day.

Country singer Charlie Daniel’s is suggesting that “the South” secede from The Union; however, there are Northern States that are not so happy with the government, and are also calling to leave the Union. At the time of this article’s posting, the states with open petitions are the following:

Alabama
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Kentucky
Mississippi
Montana
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oregon
Texas 

“Why should Vermont and Texas live under the same government?”

The winds of change are coming. The echoing calls to seperate are growing louder and stronger.

Barack Obama claimed in both victory speeches that we are not “a collection of Red States and Blue States, but we are The United States”. These words are empty and mean nothing coming from a man who has done so much to divide this nation. The people are not happy. We are no longer united. We The People are standing, asking to peacefully divide from the albatross that is Barack Obama. If the request is not considered, it very well may come as a demand, which will not be so peaceful.

Image via mikechurch.com

Gov. Chris Christie

As a former resident of New Jersey, I’m ecstatic to see what current Governor Chris Christie is doing for the state.  New Jersey residents finally have a Governor with chutzpah and fights for taxpayers interests.  However, in an effort to continue measure to return the Garden State’s economic vigor, the dreaded Corzine Democrats has re-established themselves and are threatening to shutdown the government, which still hasn’t agreed on a budget due July 1st.  Gov. Christie has rightly called them vampires, but as we all know, Mr. Christie doesn’t go down without a fight.

For over ten years my family paid $20,000 a year in just property taxes, so when we moved to Pennsylvania, let’s just say we were relieved.  Across the river we saw the good work this governor was doing.  He signed in sweeping pension reform, which would save $122 billion dollars over the next thirty years.  New Jersey’s pension fund has a $54 billion dollar unfunded liability and the system, without reform, would have gone broke by 2018.  Now dealing with a Democratic legislature in a blue state, Mr. Christie needed to compromise, but it’s a move in the right direction for the Garden State.  The deal Gov. Christie and Democrats signed off on

 would raise the retirement age for new workers to 65 from 62, and increase pension contributions to 7.5% from 5.5% for state workers and to 10% from 8.5% for public safety officers. The legislation would also suspend annual cost of living adjustments until the fund reaches a more healthy status. This provision alone could reduce retirees’ pension value by 30% over the next decade.

Once the plan is 80% funded, new employee-employer pension governing boards would be authorized to modify contribution rates and pension formulas based on the recommendation of actuaries. This would theoretically take pensions off the bargaining table, and these boards could hardly do any worse by taxpayers than the current unholy alliance of lawmakers and the public unions that finance their re-election

However, these Corzine-ites want to stop progress at all costs.  At a recent town hall meeting, Gov. Christie warned the attendees of their resurgence and their ineffective economic policies that resulted in New Jersey residents’ taxes and fees being raised every twenty-five days for eight years.  The types of Democrats who think you’re not worthy of your hard earned money and who tax, tax, and tax some more to increase the government and regulatory apparatus in Trenton. They’re back. Mr. Christie warned of their promises of putting money away for a tax cut in January, in which Christie responded, would lead to perpetual waiting at one’s mailbox because “it ain’t coming.”

Sadly, it looks like Mr. Christie will have to take another “wooden stake and put it through this type of Democrat’s heart” in the coming weeks in order to get a budget passed and maintain New Jersey’s path to fiscal health.  A path that generated 17,600 new jobs in May, which was the largest gain in seven years.

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Sept. 6, 2011 — Liquid Church, which engages a variety of multi-media and arts in its programs, has commissioned a new song commemorating the sacrifice and service of first responders to the 9/11 tragedy. The song titled, “There is Hope,” is being dedicated as a gift to the surrounding communities during this time of remembrance.

Tim Lucas, Lead Pastor of Liquid Church, has envisioned the project since 9/11 last year. He enlisted singer and songwriter, Dave Pettigrew, in helping to capture the spirit of the message he wanted to bring to the people. Lucas explained, “While so many of the messages in the public square look back into the past of what has happened with 9/11, we wanted to share a gift of hope and inspiration that helps us look forward again.” The song and lyrics can be previewed at http://www.liquidchurch.com/9-11/thereishope.

Pettigrew is performing live at two Sunday morning memorial services in Essex County at the John Walker Middle School in Nutley, NJ. The venue, which seats 750 people, is the site of the church’s newest campus location, being launched on the same day in a symbolic move of hope for the community. Nearly 200 local volunteers have signed-up in various capacities for the memorial services.

3,000 free copies of the song on CD are being presented to participants at all six 9/11 services in Essex, Middlesex and Morris counties.

The song has captured very positive reception so far, including various satellite radio and Internet music stations that are adding “There is Hope” into their airplay rotations. Other churches and organizations that want to use the song and accompanying music video during local commemorative 9/11 events are invited to do so via the song’s media page.

LIVE EVENT DETAILS:

Members of the media community are invited to the live performances of “There is Hope” by Dave Pettigrew at the 9/11 Memorial Services in Essex County. RSVP to Kenny Jahng | (973) 500-8536 in advance of the event.

September 11, 2011 // 9:30am & 11:30am
John Walker Middle School
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110

ABOUT DAVE PETTIGREW

Singer/songwriter Dave Pettigrew was recently selected among the Top 20 new emerging artists in contemporary Christian music, has opened for the likes of Mercyme, Lincoln Brewster and Mark Schultz amongst others, and is a World Vision Artist Associate. Based in New Jersey, he actively tours with his band throughout the northeastern U.S.

ABOUT LIQUID CHURCH

Liquid Church, founded in 2001 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. With campuses in Morristown, New Brunswick, and Montclair, nearly 2000 people experience Liquid’s worship services every weekend in New Jersey and around the globe through its Church Online. The church exists to lead the current generation into a life-giving relationship with Jesus Christ. As a part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to poorest of the poor with dozens of completed projects in Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Haiti and El Salvador.

For more information about Liquid Church: http://www.liquidchurch.com/.

One of the focal points of the memorial services is to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks through the presentation of hand-crafted, 40-pound, custom-made brass bells with the engraved words “Hope Never Quits” to representatives to the first responder community. The church is honoring those we loved and all who served from the New Jersey region. First responders to the September 11 World Trade Center tragedy, victims’ families, and all community members are invited to the special memorial services in Essex, Morris and Middlesex counties.

Together with everyone who gathers, the church will hear a message that honors those who died, including firefighters, police officers and emergency personnel in a way that connects the past and future. Lucas explained, “The message we want to bring to our communities is that our future is secure, because hope never quits.”

In addition, the church has commissioned a new song written specifically for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 as a gift to all those affected by the WTC tragedy. Dave Pettigrew & Frank Di Minno’s special arrangement, “There is Hope,” is now available to preview online at http://www.liquidchurch.com/9-11/thereishope. Free copies of the CD will be given to participants of all six memorial services.

EVENT DETAILS

Morris County // 9:30am & 11:30am
Hyatt Morristown
3 Speedwell Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

Middlesex County // 9:30am & 11:30am
The Heldrich Hotel
10 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Essex County // 9:30am & 11:30am
John Walker Middle School
325 Franklin Avenue
Nutley, NJ 07110

Gov. Chrisitie nails the voter in a 3 point argument:

Christie pays property taxes for a system he doesn’t even use

Gov. Christie and his wife pay $38,000 annually in property taxes but don’t use the services. He helps fund the system and therefor has a say in how they function – whether he uses them or not. This is the argument for school vouchers so that parents could choose whatever kind of school they want and use the money they pay into the system (or not) to fund it.

Christie and his wife want religion in their children’s education

Christie chose a private parochial school because they wanted their children to have their faith involved in their schooling.

Governor Christie is the Governor of the Whole State

Chris Christie has to make the right decisions for all children in the state, not just his own. What if he had no kids? Would that make him unqualified to make decisions on how best to fund the public school system?

The constituent was going for a gotcha moment and got gotcha’d by the governor. Perhaps a teacher herself, or at a minimum a liberal, she didn’t think her point all the way through. A governor (or any executive) makes decisions that impact the entirety of their office. Does he have to be a truck driver to sign legislation on trucking safety? Does he have to be a manufacturer to entice factories to come to his state? No. He also does not have to have children in public school in order to improve the decaying system. In fact, his exposure to private schools might bring new ideas to a 1960′s era system that is stuck in a mode of abject failure.

PHILADELPHIA, June 14, 2011 — Shaffer & Gaier, LLC announced today that its client has agreed to a $30,000 cash settlement with Deutsche Bank in an action filed by the banking giant to foreclosure on a New Jersey investment property worth approximately $65,000.00. As part of the terms of the settlement, the homeowner is entitled to retain the property and collect rental income for an expected period of 15-18 months, free of mortgage payment obligations, after which time he will walk away from the underwater property. The bank has also agreed to issue a letter to correct credit to the defendant, which will be distributed to the three credit bureaus to repair any credit blemishes caused by the suit.

Deutsche Bank, the plaintiff in this case, was acting as the trustee on behalf of Morgan Stanley ABS Capital Inc., Trust 2006-NC5, Mortgage-Pass Through Certificates, Series 2006-NC5, the mortgage pool that claimed to own the defendants loan. While the bank was able to produce an assignment dated and recorded prior to the filing of the foreclosure complaint, one of the most commonly raised foreclosure defenses, defense counsel was able to challenge the bank on several other issues of standing, but ultimately it was the counterclaims of fraud and predatory lending that drove the settlement.

Although predatory lending and fraud claims are common allegations in the foreclosure defense arena, foreclosing banks are usually successful at overcoming the charges with a “holder in due course” defense, hiding behind a securitization process that serves as smoke and mirrors for the true parties to a mortgage transaction. Michael Gaier, partner at the Philadelphia-based law firm of Shaffer & Gaier, LLC, with the help of his partner Michael Shaffer, and a team of mortgage experts, paralegals and associates, has dedicated the last two years of his life to crafting a legal argument that has survived summary judgment motions, overcome protective orders to depose high-level banking executives and gained nine dismissals or settlements in the last 10 weeks alone. “I’m especially pleased with the outcome of this case,” said Mr. Gaier. “This was not the most compelling story of our cases. It was an investment property that was purchased with a limited down payment and has been earning income for the last two years. The issue is that my client never should have been approved for this loan in the first place. The lenders grossly inflated his income on the application, and then hid that from him, and disclosed a rate and payment vastly different from what he ended up with at the closing table and pressured him to close with the threat of forfeiting a deposit. Bottom line is fraud is fraud. I anticipate there will be many more settlements going forward.”

Update: August 16, 2011- Speculation still continues to swirl around a possible run for the White House by Chris Christie. See “In The News” for updated news article.

Chris Christie has said numerous times that he will not be running for President of The United States of America in 2012. In fact, after much speculation, rumors, pleas, suggestions and questions regarding a possible run for leader of the free world Mr. Christie made the comment that it looked like the only thing that would prove he is not running for President is to commit suicide.

It has been reported that Roger Ailes and Rush Limbaugh met with Chris Christie to ask him to run for President. It appears as though Mr. Christie stood his ground, even with El Rushbo and the Chairman of Fox News.

I am a member of the crowd who would absolutely love for Chris Christie to throw his hat into the ring.  I am sure it is wishful thinking on my part, as well as the other people who fall into the category I do.

Even though Chris Christie says he is adamently opposed to entering the presidential race, let’s dig deeper into the facts about New Jersey’s new governor. We’ve seen him stand toe to toe with the teacher’s unions. We know he is exactly what this country needs fiscally. But is he a true Conservative?

Personal Information

Chris Christie was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 6, 1962 to Bill and Sondra Christie. He was raised in Livingston, New Jersey. With the exception of when he was in college, he has lived in New Jersey all of his life, so he “has a deep affection and strong commitment to New Jersey.”

He is of Irish and Sicilian descent.

Religious Affiliation
Roman Catholic

Family
1986- Chris Christie married his college sweetheart, Mary Pat. They have four children. The family currently lives in Mendham Township, New Jersey.

Education
1980- Graduated from Livingston High School
1984- Graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science
1987- Graduated from Seton Hall University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree

Official Lawyer
December 1987- Admitted to the Bar of the State of New Jersey
December 1987- Admitted to the Bar of the United States District Court, District of New Jersey

Legal Career
1987- Dughi, Hewit & Palatucci, a lawfirm in Cranford, New Jersey where it wasn’t long before he made partner
2002- Was named U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey
Served as one of the 17 U.S. Attorneys on the Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ advisory committee

Political Affiliations
Republican

Political Career
2009- Elected as Governor of the State of New Jersey
January 2010- Took office as Governor of New Jersey
1999 to 2001- Lobbyist on behalf of GPU Energy, Securities Industry Association, Hackensack University Medical Center, Univeristy of Phoenix and other companies for various issues
November 2009- Elected as Governor of New Jersey, took office January 2010

Civic Affiliations
1994- Elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in Morris County
1997- Director of the Board- Morris County
Liaison for Morris County Department of Human Services
Little League Basketball Coach
Former Board Member of Mendham’s Daytop Village

Political Accomplishments
In his position as the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey (U.S. Attorney), he was praised by leaders of both the Democrat and Republican parties for his efforts in fighting political corruption, corporate crime, human trafficking, gangs, terrorism and polluters. He also gained national attention for his fight in each of these areas.

Chris Christie has proven that he does not care what political party you are affiliated with or how many political connections you have, if you break the law he takes action! Under his leadership, his office won convictions or guilty pleas from more than 130 public officials- on both sides of the aisle. He and his team never lost a single case.

When he left the U.S. Attorney’s office  in 2008, he was praised by every major newspaper in the state of New Jersey for his accomplishments as New Jersey’s US Attorney.

War on Terror
Chris Christie has been in the thick of the battle in the War on Terror. No, he is not in the military, but he led the team that prevented a terrorist attack at Fort Dix.

Chris Christie is known for standing up to the political games and underhanded dealings of the political elite. He has made it very clear that he will not tolerate the abuse of power by elected officials or stealing from the taxpayers in New Jersey.

On The Issues
Pro-Life- says every human life is precious
Marriage is strictly between one man and one woman
Pro-Economic growth, pro-jobs, pro-business
Supports making manufacturing a priority
Says we “can and must” lower taxes
Supports cutting taxes and the cost of doing business in New Jersey
Supports making New Jersey’s health insurance more affordable for small businesses
Supports cutting wasteful spending and enacting more fiscal watchdogs
Strong stand against child pornography and human trafficking
Supports eliminating the special interest labor union loopholes
Public education system if failing. Accountability for teachers and administration needs to be increased.
Supports renewable energy
Supports incentive energy manufacturing and wind turbines
Supports eliminating dual office-holding, dual public employment and conflicts of interest
Supports line item veto
Supports putting all legislation online
Supports eliminating the legislature conflicts of interest
Supports changing the ethics laws to require strict disclosure
Believes government officials should be held accountable for their actions
Supports putting citizens back in charge of their government
Has a 10-point plan to punish elected officials who commit crimes

The Man With A Plan
One thing is for certain- Chris Christie is a man with a plan! I have been impressed with what I have seen in his now numerous and infamous showdowns with the Teacher’s Unions. He also has a written plan of 88 different ways he will fix New Jersey.  In reading his plan it appears he has an answer for almost every issue we face as a country. He is dealing with the issues on the state level within New Jersey, but the issues he is faced with in governing the state are the very same issues we are facing as a nation. Mr. Christie shows that there can be a realistic way to address each one of these issues. Are we going to agree with every single one of the 88 things he has planned? Absolutely not! I do not believe there is a single person I agree with 100% of the time! However, there is a plan in place. His plan is made public so the people of New Jersey can see what his plan is. Agree with him or not he knows how to get things accomplished!

His Reputation
Chris Christie has been called a lot of things in his short, yet very busy governorship.

He’s been called “a fiscal genius“.

It’s been said he:
“has charisma dripping out of every pore in his body”

It’s been said he “was missing in action”

He’s upset:
The Obama Administration (this wins him HUGE points with me!!)

What If He Changes His Mind?
Though there are many speculations as to whether or not he will change his mind, Chris Christie is still standing firm that he will not run for President in 2012. The question has been asked whether or not his reputation will be ruined if he changes his mind between now and October 2012.

I am reminded of  George Washington when in 1787 he was approached- and eventually persuaded- to join the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. It is said that upon hearing that the they wanted him to join the Constitutional Convention, he said (although somewhat disputed) “Have I not yet done enough for my country?” While these exact words may not be the ones he expressed I can imagine it was something very similar.

I can also assume this is very much the way Chris Christie feels, though in a bit of a different sense. While he has not served as President before, and has said that he does not feel that he is ready for the Presidency, I am sure it is quite a daunting thought to think about.  To know that many people have the confidence in you that you may not feel in yourself is probably a bit unnerving.

Then there is what I would consider to probably be the main reason why Chris Christie is not running for President at this point. I know that I have heard him discuss this, but I can just about bet that this is the number one deciding factor in this decision. His family. He is a family man and wants to be a part of his children’s childhood. He wants to be able to coach their basketball teams and other extra-curricular activities. Becoming President of the free world would put a bit of a dent in those plans.

Having this put before him cannot be easy on Chris Christie. I am quite sure he is very well aware of the state of this nation. I admire the fact that he wants to complete a full term in office as governor. But I also see the qualities in him that would make the kind of President we need right now.

We are at a very crucial point in the history of this great nation. We are on a collision course with destruction. If we do not find someone with strong morals and character to stand up and say, “Enough is enough!” when it comes to our budget I just do not see any hope out of the mess we are in. Without a doubt I know Chris Christie would be this man.

Is it fair to ask someone to give up their way of life, sacrifice their family life for the rest of this nation? I don’t know that there is really an answer to that question. What is fair? Life is not fair. I think it goes well beyond asking if it is a fair question or not. What that question is I honestly do not know. But I know that we are in a dire situation.

I believe Chris Christie is the kind of man that is not willing to sell his soul, principles, morals and character out to the lobbyists and special interests. Is he perfect? Absolutely not! But I believe he understands what it takes to lead. There are very few people that are able to make the hard decisions that must be made as a leader. I believe this is what defines a good leader from someone who is in a leadership position. ANYONE can be given a title. It takes an exceptional person to be able to stand up to the naysayers and do what must be done. That is the mark of a true leader.

In Chris Christie I see a good leader. This country needs a good leader right now, more than ever!

Is Mr. Christie the man for the job? Only time will tell!

In The News
Speculation of Chris Christie Presidential Run Continues After Rick Perry Joins Race 
Chris Christie to Obama- You Can’t Lead From Behind 
Chris Christie Out Polls Obama in New Jersey 

On The Web
Due to the fact that Governor Christie is adamant that he will not run for President there is no official campaign website.
State of New Jersey- Governor Chris Christie Official Website
Governor Chris Christie on Twitter
Governor Chris Christie on YouTube

_______________________

Sources:
The Official State of New Jersey Website
Wikipedia
Conservative New Jersey
OnTheIssues.org
VoteSmart.org
ReligionFacts.com
Squiddoo

Rise and shine, America!

Once again you’ve been had! Political Correctness has won yet again!

When will we learn? At this point I am thinking the answer to that question is, “Never”.

I was not aware that actually being in the vicinity of Christian symbols was such an overload to the sensibilities of those who are not Christians. Now, a 70-year-old tradition is thrown out the window in the name of appeasement.

No worries, though, America! A compromise has been reached! Now, students in Neptune Township, N.J., can walk down the aisle to receive their diploma without having to see…… wait! You will never believe what these high school seniors of the past 70 years have been subjected to! Are you ready? Two signs! Yes, we are saving these seniors and those who attend their graduation from gazing upon two signs! Such horrible things, I know!

So what were on these signs, you ask? ”Holiness to the Lord,”  and “So Be Ye Holy”. Yes, I know! Cover your eyes, America!

Yet once again the ACLU has bullied their way in and the high school in New Jersey “compromised”. No, they didn’t compromise, they CAVED, plain and simple!

Every single one of our traditions and freedoms are being threatened. The more we bow at the alter of political correctness and sacrifice our freedoms we lose another foothold on this great nation. We are literally handing it over to the enemy. Yes, I said it… the enemy! ANYONE who wants to restrain our freedoms is an enemy!

I am not a Buddhist, but when I walk into a Chinese restaurant and see a Buddha statue it does not offend my sensibilities. So I ask this question: What if my child were going on a school-sponsored field trip and they go to lunch at a Chinese restaurant where there is a statue of Buddha. Should I file a lawsuit against the school district for offended the sensibilities of my child? Of course not!  I do not agree with their beliefs, but Buddhists are free to believe whatever they choose to believe. Who am I to tell them they cannot have their statue of Buddha?

We are weakening every facet of our society by allowing the disease of political correctness to dictate what we do. So you don’t agree with the statues, ornaments, signs or other things in a gathering place. Fine, you don’t have to agree with it. But is your mind that weak that you cannot just accept that someone else believes differently than you? Ohhhh yes, I get it! YOU want to infringe what YOU think, feel, believe and don’t believe on EVERYONE else! Political Correctness. It will surely be the death of this great nation.

If a sign offends their delicate little sensibilities, I wonder what will happen on this day- because ONE DAY, EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ IS Lord!

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

The first-term Republican this month halted the nation’s largest mass-transit project, a tunnel under the Hudson River, saying residents couldn’t afford overruns on its $8.7 billion cost, even with the federal government pitching in $3 billion..

Christie’s assertion is two-fold.  First he makes the case that even with U.S. taxpayer funding, New Jersey would have to shoulder the remaining $5.7 Billion.  Secondly is that when (not if) the government project goes over budget, New Jersey can’t afford to pay for that either.

Christie told reporters Oct. 18 he was content to walk away from the tunnel unless someone else agrees to pay for cost overruns. He said today he hasn’t reversed his decision.

“I don’t care how much people want a tunnel to New York, we don’t have the money for that,” Christie said at a town-hall meeting in Scotch Plains. “Here’s the promise I will make, I’m not going to stick you with that bill.”

Cost overruns on massive road projects are a regular occurrence.  The 15 year-long $14.6 Billion “Big Dig” is a great example.

After spending $14.6 billion (up from an initial forecast of about $4 billion in today’s dollars), leaders and taxpayers weren’t in the mood to shell out an several hundred thousand dollars for the show.

So Governor Christie wants to protect New Jersey tax payers from a project that will likely overrun it’s projected $8.7 Billion by several times when the State doesn’t even have the money to pay for the project if it meets its projections.

The Bloomberg piece goes on to explain the real problem the authors have with the Governor.

“How many times will the people of New Jersey lose out on federal money so that our governor can score political points?” Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono, a Metuchen Democrat, said.

“Lose out on federal money..”.   Constantly spending money that came from a printing press is not sustainable.  Governor Christie realizes that the State can’t afford the project, can’t take a 4th annual State budget deficit, and that taking the money will just make New Jersey more dependent upon the scraps from D.C.  The more dependent the State’s funding is on the federal government, the more influence the federal government has in State politics.  It is a back-door play to minimizing State’s rights and Democrats like Barbara Buono are shooting for exactly that.  Governor Christie gets it.