Doing the work of the people
This November, I will be seeking election to the Union Beach Borough Council. Though this is my first time as a candidate, I have been involved with politics for many years now. I have learned a lot and hope to learn so much more.
Although, I am deeply concerned and disappointed that there are still politicians who feel that they are "entitled" to their seats. Don't get me wrong, I still know many politicians who work tiredlessly everyday for the people they represent. However, there are still those that feel that their many years of service make them untouchable and unaccountable to the people.
I am very irritated by politicians who walk around thinking that the people work for them! Maybe it is complacency setting in or becoming out of touch with the pulse of their constituents that makes some politicians act this way.
Although I have been involved in politics for many years, I have never understood why some issues take so long to be addressed. For example, the lowering of auto insurance premiums, a Lt. Governor for NJ and my all time favorite property tax reform along with education spending habits.
All of us have heard politicians promise to tackle the issue of auto insurance premiums in the State of NJ during election time. However, once elected to office it seems as though the issue dies almost immediately. I know that there are many factors to consider when attempting to lower auto insurance premiums, such as jobs and tax revenues for the State, but when the people say "enough is enough" I feel it becomes the responsability of our elected officials to take on the fight whatever the cost.
My second example regarding the voters of NJ saying "Yes, we want a Lt. Governor". The Assembly and Senate have said that this will happen in 2009? Why 2009? The people voted on it and want it now. I have learned that when someone says "I / We Can't" that usually means they "won't or don't want to". Politicians need to understand that in today's world of on demand everything, people are not willing to wait for what they want. The people have spoken on this issue and it is something that should be done NOW, not 2009.
My last example, regarding property tax reform and educational spending reform, actually go hand - in - hand. You cannot have intelligent and meaningful property tax reform until you tackle the issue of educational spending. Too much money is being thrown at the problem of failing school districts. In turn, we the taxpayers of NJ are forced to watch our hard earned money spent on districts that do not deserve it. When the voters go to the polls in any Board of Education Election and vote NO on the proposed budget that includes an enormous tax hike, they are then forced to sit and watch the Board of Education negotiate with their Borough Council to make cuts to the budget. However, if the Board of Education disagrees with those proposed cuts, they can, in turn appeal those cuts to the State Education Superintendent, who can, with the stroke of his pen, nullify the voice of the voters by reinstating the entire budget. What is the point of voting on a budget when in the end your constitutional right to vote will be essentially taken from you by one person?
Furthermore, when it comes to property tax reform, there are those in Trenton who want to hold a constitutional property tax reform convention. A convention which will be held to discuss new ways to increase revenues to the general fund. Here's an idea.....STOP SPENDING WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE!! If my wife and I ran our personal finances the way the state run's theirs' we would be homeless in a year. If you don't have the money, you don't spend it. There is no need for a convention to figure out what is painfully obvious to every one of the hard working people in NJ. In order to do this though, the State will have to really bite the bullet and they do run the risk of losing many votes by doing the right thing. However, you work for the people. Therefore, do what the people want. Lower our taxes, reform educational spending and lower auto insurance premiums.
We, the people of NJ work too hard and pay too much to have to listen to some politician say to us "Well, the situation is a lot more difficult than that"......NO IT'S NOT!
Although, I am deeply concerned and disappointed that there are still politicians who feel that they are "entitled" to their seats. Don't get me wrong, I still know many politicians who work tiredlessly everyday for the people they represent. However, there are still those that feel that their many years of service make them untouchable and unaccountable to the people.
I am very irritated by politicians who walk around thinking that the people work for them! Maybe it is complacency setting in or becoming out of touch with the pulse of their constituents that makes some politicians act this way.
Although I have been involved in politics for many years, I have never understood why some issues take so long to be addressed. For example, the lowering of auto insurance premiums, a Lt. Governor for NJ and my all time favorite property tax reform along with education spending habits.
All of us have heard politicians promise to tackle the issue of auto insurance premiums in the State of NJ during election time. However, once elected to office it seems as though the issue dies almost immediately. I know that there are many factors to consider when attempting to lower auto insurance premiums, such as jobs and tax revenues for the State, but when the people say "enough is enough" I feel it becomes the responsability of our elected officials to take on the fight whatever the cost.
My second example regarding the voters of NJ saying "Yes, we want a Lt. Governor". The Assembly and Senate have said that this will happen in 2009? Why 2009? The people voted on it and want it now. I have learned that when someone says "I / We Can't" that usually means they "won't or don't want to". Politicians need to understand that in today's world of on demand everything, people are not willing to wait for what they want. The people have spoken on this issue and it is something that should be done NOW, not 2009.
My last example, regarding property tax reform and educational spending reform, actually go hand - in - hand. You cannot have intelligent and meaningful property tax reform until you tackle the issue of educational spending. Too much money is being thrown at the problem of failing school districts. In turn, we the taxpayers of NJ are forced to watch our hard earned money spent on districts that do not deserve it. When the voters go to the polls in any Board of Education Election and vote NO on the proposed budget that includes an enormous tax hike, they are then forced to sit and watch the Board of Education negotiate with their Borough Council to make cuts to the budget. However, if the Board of Education disagrees with those proposed cuts, they can, in turn appeal those cuts to the State Education Superintendent, who can, with the stroke of his pen, nullify the voice of the voters by reinstating the entire budget. What is the point of voting on a budget when in the end your constitutional right to vote will be essentially taken from you by one person?
Furthermore, when it comes to property tax reform, there are those in Trenton who want to hold a constitutional property tax reform convention. A convention which will be held to discuss new ways to increase revenues to the general fund. Here's an idea.....STOP SPENDING WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE!! If my wife and I ran our personal finances the way the state run's theirs' we would be homeless in a year. If you don't have the money, you don't spend it. There is no need for a convention to figure out what is painfully obvious to every one of the hard working people in NJ. In order to do this though, the State will have to really bite the bullet and they do run the risk of losing many votes by doing the right thing. However, you work for the people. Therefore, do what the people want. Lower our taxes, reform educational spending and lower auto insurance premiums.
We, the people of NJ work too hard and pay too much to have to listen to some politician say to us "Well, the situation is a lot more difficult than that"......NO IT'S NOT!
posted by Charles Cocuzza at 7:41 PM
3 comments
