Christie hits "poor, elderly, schoolchildren,college students" hardest

[Hacp]

The New York Times said so!

TRENTON — Christopher J. Christie took office as governor of New Jersey two months ago vowing a sharp change of direction for a state battered by the recession and choked by its tax burden.

On Tuesday, he made clear that what he had in mind was a U-turn.
Upending the priorities of his Democratic predecessors, Governor Christie unveiled a budget that would hit the poor, elderly, schoolchildren, college students and inner-city residents hardest, while largely sparing the wealthy and businesses.



Indeed, Governor Christie’s budget would squeeze those with lower incomes in several ways: eliminating cash welfare for the able-bodied; imposing new $310 deductibles and doubling some drug co-pays for Medicaid patients; and trimming back the state’s earned-income tax credit to 20 percent of the federal benefit, from 25 percent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/nyregion/17budget.html?ref=nyregion

I love the heavy liberal bias in this article. They interviewed a few democrats but not one conservative. They spoke about how it would hurt the poor(somebody think of the poor!) while they didn't explain why New Jersey is in the huge hole to begin with(Unions, Pensions, Taxes, the regular culprits).

Bottom line: If Christie can get this through the legislature, he will be my hero.

 

[StageLeft]

So let me rephrase it: Christie's budget, aiming to shrink a vast government deficit, will hit hardest those who rely on government services the most.

Well, that sounds about right.

I hope he sticks to his guns. And then I hope he lends those guns to NY and other states.

 

[StageLeft]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/nyregion/17budget.html?hp

The plan proposed by Mr. Christie, the first Republican elected New Jersey governor in 12 years, relies almost exclusively on spending cuts, and stands as a stark example of how a Republican committed to not raising taxes grapples with a state budget in these still-challenging economic times.

Thank Fvck. I actually cannot wait to see how this works out. It may be a nightmare. I think it won't be and I hope it's not.

Breaking a central campaign promise, Governor Christie called for a suspension of all property-tax rebates, a costly but popular form of tax relief for homeowners, until May 2011.

Ah sh*t, just like NY crapaterson did.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

Wow...that article reeks of agenda. I've got $5 that says the author is a Democrat. Any takers?

 

[theeedude]

So the right wingers are shooting the messenger instead of discussing the message? What else is new?

 

[Tristicus]

So the right wingers are shooting the messenger instead of discussing the message? What else is new?

That was a real good refute. I think I'll all switch to your ideology now.

 

[Darwin333]

Other than increasing their taxes, what exactly are they going to do to the wealthy and businesses to cut costs?

If your in that kind of a bind I would assume any services given to the wealthy would have already been cut as well as any non-necessary services to businesses.

 

[Balt]

State budget cuts usually do hit those groups the hardest, because health care and education are often a state's largest expenditures. How is it a liberal bias to point out something obvious?

 

[Hacp]

State budget cuts usually do hit those groups the hardest, because health care and education are often a state's largest expenditures. How is it a liberal bias to point out something obvious?

Is it not obvious that what caused the huge budget crisis is overspending on these programs? Why did this guy not mention how much we pay union members with their fancy pensions that almost no one else enjoys?

How about the fact that while all other businesses reduced their employee headcount and lowered salaries because of the recession, most employees working for the government got a raise in salaries and no one has cut a single union member in New Jersey?

 

[classy]

WEll I live in NJ and his proposed cuts to the seniors is completely inappropiate. I think the school budgets can manage and some of the other cuts may work. But taking away from and penalizing the seniors is horrible. If he does, my advice would be for him to skip hanging up pictures in the governor's mansion, cause he won't be staying long.

 

[palehorse]

In other words, he's attempting to become fiscally responsible and cut spending. Say it ain't so!

Now, if only the other 49 Governors and Congress would do the same, we might be alright.

Well I live in NJ and his proposed cuts to the seniors is completely inappropiate. I think the school budgets can manage and some of the other cuts may work. But taking away from and penalizing the seniors is horrible. If he does, my advice would be for him to skip hanging up pictures in the governor's mansion, cause he won't be staying long.

I'm guessing that the concept of 'we need to make drastic cuts across the entire board, no exceptions,' is lost on you, eh?

 

[StageLeft]

WEll I live in NJ and his proposed cuts to the seniors is completely inappropiate. I think the school budgets can manage and some of the other cuts may work. But taking away from and penalizing the seniors is horrible. If he does, my advice would be for him to skip hanging up pictures in the governor's mansion, cause he won't be staying long.

What is he doing? I know Grandma is sweet, BTW, but if we're honest chances are that the older you are the longer you've been supporting fiscally irresponsible measures with the hope that it would just be passed back to the youth. Unless you can demonstrate that seniors are actually getting back less than they put in. I doubt you can, though.

I think pensions need to be rewritten, they are obscene.

 

[CPA]

Anyone who had a brain knew this was coming. Christie has been on every business talk show imaginable speaking of the necessary cuts that were going to be needed. He's sticking to his platform for which the voters elected him in. Good for him and the NYTs can screw off.

 

[Mursilis]

WEll I live in NJ and his proposed cuts to the seniors is completely inappropiate. I think the school budgets can manage and some of the other cuts may work. But taking away from and penalizing the seniors is horrible. If he does, my advice would be for him to skip hanging up pictures in the governor's mansion, cause he won't be staying long.

So, since you're SO against these cuts, tell us how much extra tax $$, above and beyond what you're required to pay by law, you're sending in to the NJ state gov't this year? After all, if these cuts are "completely inappropriate", as you said yourself, I'm sure you're willing to do your share to make sure they don't happen. So, how much extra are you paying?

 

[sao123]

Someone please come make rendell do the same.

 

[EXman]

So the right wingers are shooting the messenger instead of discussing the message? What else is new?

That is not a messenger that is a democratic operative. And you all do the same thing...

 

[Zebo]

I listened to an hour speech by this man to various mayors, NJ state reps etc and he is the man. Speaks from the heart no BS... Have to get balance and he's making tough choices to include tax raises and yes services cut.

Man has balls of steel. Fuck these chicken shits and grifters bankrupting that state for decades.

Would I prefer different numbers here and there, sure - but even doing it gets an A+ in my book. Unlike Obama who mortgages our children's future at an obscene rate.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/nyregion/17budget.html?hp

Thank Fvck. I actually cannot wait to see how this works out. It may be a nightmare. I think it won't be and I hope it's not.

Let's hope it works out for NJ. Here in Indiana, we have a governor willing to make the tough decisions and cut spending without raising taxes. We currently have a $1 billion surplus but that is projected to be gone next year or the year after if the economy does not shape up. Mitch Daniels (our governor) is already putting cuts in place to save the surplus should the economy not rebound.

And to those saying "But...but...the poor!" Why should I have *my* taxes raised to support them? I am sick and tired of paying an obscene amount of taxes to support able-bodied people, ridiculous and nonsensical wars, and potentially health care for those who "can't afford" it. Should there be a health care safety net? ABSOLUTELY! Should I have to pay a doctor every time little Jimmy stubs his toe and his "poor" parents take him to a health care provider because "Hey, it's 'free'!" NO!

Also, note the key phrase here:

eliminating cash welfare for the able-bodied

Why is this a problem? Let's take care of the kids of course, but if you're an able-bodied adult and have been on welfare for an unreasonable amount of time, cut them off.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I listened to an hour speech by this man to various mayors, NJ state reps etc and he is the man. Speaks from the heart no BS... Have to get balance and he's making tough choices to include tax raises and yes services cut.

Man has balls of steel. Fuck these chicken shits and grifters bankrupting that state for decades.

Would I prefer different numbers here and there, sure - but even doing it gets an A+ in my book. Unlike Obama who mortgages our children's future at an obscene rate.

:thumbsup:

 

[IndyColtsFan]

In other words, he's attempting to become fiscally responsible and cut spending. Say it ain't so!

Now, if only the other 49 Governors and Congress would do the same, we might be alright.

Fortunately, we have a similar governor in Indiana. I was just reading an article the other day about how Indiana has a $1 billion surplus that is in danger of evaporating within the next couple of years if the economy does not rebound. Our governor is already taking steps to cut spending even more so that it won't happen.

Congress will never be fiscally responsible. No matter what the party, it is an orgy of spending and catering to special interest groups. They have no incentive to cut spending because their only goal is to stay in power.

 

[Zebo]

WEll I live in NJ and his proposed cuts to the seniors is completely inappropiate. I think the school budgets can manage and some of the other cuts may work. But taking away from and penalizing the seniors is horrible. If he does, my advice would be for him to skip hanging up pictures in the governor's mansion, cause he won't be staying long.

Goldman Sachs guy had his chance and buried the state more in debt. Hard to be successful when you don't have .gov as backstop anymore like at GS. Change is a pain if dems don't perform sometimes. Next time they can raise taxes and give some services back. But NJ could not continue as is.

 

[RearAdmiral]

Hopefully it stirs up some poo at least. I have to work in the filthhole known as NJ, hopefully it gets cleaned up a bit.

 

[Genx87]

So let me rephrase it: Christie's budget, aiming to shrink a vast government deficit, will hit hardest those who rely on government services the most.

Well, that sounds about right.

I hope he sticks to his guns. And then I hope he lends those guns to NY and other states.

Yeah, baffling how that happens isnt it?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yeah, baffling how that happens isnt it?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Don't worry, the usual suspects will be along any minute to tell us how we all "benefit" from these services.

 

[Zebo]

New Jersey is still doomed though. Reading that their pensions will take almost 50% of budget and they're constitutionally protected tells me all I know with boomers coming on line and Corsine underfunded last few years playing hide the elephant. Soon they will be paying all their taxes to people who are living on Jersey Shore doing nothing and get nothing.

http://blog.nj.com/njv_johnbury/2010/03/why_new_jersey_is_doomed.html