From: pswanson@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Paul Swanson)
Subject: Re: Why I cannot vote Democratic
Originator: news@nimaster
Organization: Princeton University
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 14:36:12 GMT

In article <1992Aug25.191613.23545@fid.morgan.com> joec@fid.morgan.com (Joe Collins) writes:
>I have these examples of why I will have a hard time voting
>Democratic in the near future.
>
> [...]
>           
>Governor Jim Florio (NJ):
>               During his campaign to become Governor, he said (and I quote):
>                  "I SEE NO REASON TO RAISE TAXES"
>               Once in office, he pushed through the largest single tax
>               increase for any state, in the entire history of our country, 
>               all WITHIN SIX MONTHS. He never apologized or attempted to 
>               say why. NJ residents are generally *furious* with Jim and 
>               his party.
>
Well this used to be an issue until those backstabbing sons of bitches
in the NJ Republican party took over.  They campaigned on one theme, by
and large.  Namely the $2.8 billion tax increase.  They thought
it was terrible but when it came time to make up this year's budget they
only repealed $600 million worth of taxes.  Apparently $2.8 billion is
outrageous but $2.2 billion is perfectly acceptable.  That is far from
their (the Republicans) worst sin however.

The Republican party managed to sweep to a veto proof majority in both
chambers of the legislature with a variety of support.  First, the NRA
doesn't like the ban on assault riffles in NJ, so they supported the
Republicans.  Second, the teachers' union (?!) supported the Republicans
because they didn't like Florio's regionalization plan, among other
things.  Finally, various tax protest groups supported the Republicans
for obvious reasons but also because they wanted some sort of Initiative
and Referendum added to the state constitution.  Let me add that these
tax protest groups got many Republican candidates to sign pledges saying
that they would support I&R.  And let me further add that Florio decided
to change his position and support I&R some time last January so there
was no need to pass it over the governor's veto.

Now lets run down what the current legislature has accomplished.  First,
they have overturned the assault rifle ban even though 70% of the
population supports it.  However, they may not be able to override
Florio's veto.  Still, the NRA got what it wanted.  Score one for the
special interests.

Second, the legislature passed a cushy pension plan for school workers,
including part time workers.  Score another one for the special
interests (the teachers' union at that!).

Now, I&R.  It didn't even pass the legislature by a simple majority.
Enough of those Repulicans who signed a pledge saying that they would
support it went back on their word so that it failed.  Score zero for
the voters.  

So lets total up the score for the NJ Republican controled legislature.
Special interests: 2 (at least)
Voters:            0

What is the message here?  Well, first, I don't think that an
anti-Florio vote is going to be much of a factor in the presidential
election.  Second, NJ voters did throw the bums out (the legislature was
previously controled by the democrats) and it didn't seem to change
things.  Kind of depressing, actually.

Paul.
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