Speech! Speech! Speech!

Posted 1/15/2006, written 6/4/2005.
The following was written for Doug Forrester during the GOP primary in the 2005 New Jersey gubernatorial race. I wrote this in my spare time and offered random thoughts to a campaign devoid of ideas. I was ignored on all fronts.

Forrester: Before I begin today, I’d like to take a moment to say “Thank you.” Thank you to all the brave young men and women who are risking their lives at this very moment to ensure the survival and success of liberty. It is often easy to get lost in our own lives, forgetting about others, but it is essential that we pay homage to the courageous souls who fight for our freedom. Thank you to all those who have served or are serving, and those getting ready to deploy. It is through their heroism that this nation remains the greatest on earth.

When I arrived in New Jersey thirty years ago, I had ambitious passions and vigor which were fostered by this great state, and it allowed me to achieve personal success beyond all expectations. The appeal of New Jersey is clear to all who enjoy the wonders of this state; the natural beauty, the history, the culture, and its gracious citizens. Over the last thirty years, I have raised a family with a loving wife while learning the ways of New Jersey. A state that was once so full of pride has fallen into an abyss of corruption, greed, and cronyism. Relentlessly, morally bankrupt politicians have lined their own pockets while selling out their fellow citizens and their state. Trenton has transformed, from the proud site liberty’s rescue during our Revolution, to the center of self-indulgence and hubris as scores of fat cats enrich themselves while forsaking their citizens. Our cities have been permitted to crumble, turning once great metropolises into centers of poverty, crime, and drugs. New Jersey is currently home to the most dangerous city in America. The citizens of that fair city are not to blame for this disgrace! It is government that has failed and only by correcting the systemic problems within our government can we bring a new hope to our ailing urban centers. It is those under the most difficult circumstances that suffer most from our politicians’ depravity and self-indulgence. As John F. Kennedy stated so eloquently, “If a society can not help the many who are poor, than it can not hope to save the few who are rich.” Our society and our state must do more to revitalize our aging cities and return them to their former glory. The mere association of the word ‘city’ must not mean danger. There is a task for which government is highly qualified: providing security. We must take back the streets of our communities. We must stop organized violence, from gangsters and mobsters, who plague our streets with easy ways to horrible futures. We must provide safety and opportunity, and to that end I will make this pledge: my administration will only grow our government by adding policemen to our streets, teachers to our classrooms, and emergency first responders to ensure public safety in the event of a catastrophic terrorist attack.

Our problems our numerous, but clear to even the simplest man: a government with services which provide no real service, bloated bureaucracies containing the patrons and contributors of the political bosses. Pay-to-play has put government jobs up for sale to the highest bidders. We have endured an entrenched culture of political corruption while swallowing promise after promise from the professional politicos. But the reason the people of New Jersey have believed the promises of future greatness is because we so firmly believe in the greatness of our state. The problems of this state were created by government run amuck. While many may enjoy the program, a state run by the Sopranos is not a state run for its people. Everyday, real crime syndicates are filling our streets with drugs and guns, extorting our local businesses, and intimidating our population with threats and coercion. Some do fall victim to the lure of fast and easy money, but that money has been robbed and strong-armed from the innocent and it stained with the blood of the just and the righteous. This state’s government will not be transformed in my first 100 days as governor, but we will begin. My FIRST priority as governor will be to eliminate “pay-to-play” and the abuses inherent in such a system. As a businessman, I have passed through the trials of proving effective leadership. My administration will seek only the most qualified, most effective, most efficient, and most energetic individuals to serve the state and its people. Those serving the state of New Jersey will do so because of their sense of civic duty, not because of opportunities of personal enrichment through corruption.

In the last three years, this state has expanded its government by some 8,000 individuals. My lone question is simply this: How much has this increase improved the service of government for its people? Put another way, is government any better? The answer I have heard throughout the state is an overwhelming and emphatic “NO.” It seems to me that some have forgotten the wisdom of Ronald Reagan who said “The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” My administration will cut redundant or unnecessary government wherever it may reside. These savings will be transferred directly taxpayers as part of my 30%-in-3 years plan, which I will describe in greater detail shortly.

Despite the best intentions of any government program, it is always susceptible to ambitions of bureaucrats who fight for influence and, in non-political speak, that means tax dollars. The measure of a program’s success by its bureaucrats is never the completion of that program’s objectives, because would mean the program is no longer necessary. The only way a bureaucrat judges his success is by how much their budget is expanded each year. This phenomenon has engrained itself in New Jersey. When the opposition sees a problem, they throw your tax dollars at it and say “We spent this much money because that is how much we care. Now reelect us so we can spend more, showing you that we care about it even more than last time.” This attitude has pervaded and permeated throughout this state for long enough. Dollars do not solve problems; good people do. Our liberal friends lash out against religious organizations, but it is those serving a purpose higher than themselves, with no financial motivations, who truly serve their fellow man best. Religious and community based organizations assist the less fortunate and are intrinsically more altruistic than a governmental bureaucracy. The wisdom of Thomas Paine tells us that government is at best a necessary evil, but still there are some who would have you believe “if there’s a social problem, let the government handle it.” The logic is misstated and incorrect. Government is composed of men and man is not all knowing. It is only through the good works of individuals that we achieve the blessings of our liberty.

Taxes are the price we pay to live in a civilized society, yet in New Jersey, our property taxes have become an exorbitant penalty inflicted on our residents. Our families are forced to leave their communities, moving their children to different towns and environments for one reason and one reason alone. Property taxes are too high. Our young people are forced to start life elsewhere because our property taxes are too high. Skilled and educated workers are dissuaded from moving into New Jersey because our property taxes are too high. Our seniors our forced to move further and further away from their families because our property taxes are too high. The politicians have made a mess of property taxes, confiscating the dollars of hard working people to finance their own priorities and projects. When in office, I will institute a 30% reduction, over 3 years, in the property taxes for ALL of New Jersey’s taxpayers. The state constitution entitles our citizens to these tax cuts and I will ensure they receive them. Some have questioned how I will implement such a plan. They say “Doug, there is no way to pay for such a tax cut without eliminating essential services.” Well, I have already stated my case about many service-less services provided by the state, but allow me to elaborate on a few cost-cutting and revenue-enhancing ideas.

First, the implementation of an elected Auditor General will begin a new era of accountable government. The ability to eliminate fraud and waste can only be achieved with the help of an independently elected official who reports directly to the people. This will be a post of integrity, honesty, and incorruptibility. The abuses once commonly seen as “the cost of doing business” will no longer be tolerated. Any infractions reported by the Auditor General will be dealt with immediately by the authorities, the executive office, and the legislature. By placing transparent responsibility in the Auditor General’s hands, the people of New Jersey will be able to hold their elected officials responsible.

Secondly, by reducing the tax burden on our citizens, we will stop the flight caused by excessive taxation. By encouraging families to stay in New Jersey instead of fleeing for a tax-sanctuary, we will grow our tax base and increase received revenue. By allowing young educated people the opportunity to continue their residence in New Jersey we will entice businesses by maintaining a pool of the best and the brightest, many of whom are educated in our own state-schools. We can not have outrageous taxes and expect to keep outstanding young people who have not yet made their way in the world.

Third, we will encourage the best and brightest to reside in New Jersey by promoting cutting edge science and technology. In addition to state bonds to fund stem-cell research, my administration will sponsor a state-wide effort to modernize the way our communities and homes consume power. I am calling on universities and corporations to develop efficient production methods for the wide dissemination of solar paneled roofs. By expanding the use of solar panels in each individual home, we will begin an era of lower extraneous energy consumption which will be a model for the nation. It is critical these panels be durable and cost friendly. The ultimate goal of our state will be to reduce the consumption of outside energy consumed by home 50% in 10 years. These residential solar-systems may one day turn individual residences into "Zero-Energy" consuming homes, allowing our technological advantages to turn into profits for every home which produces more energy than it consumes. It is through the individual efforts of each family and household that we can begin to lead the country in an “energy independence” policy. My administration will offer tax credits and incentives for those leading the charge to help clean our environment and our state.

My administration also intends to begin a targeted effort in establishing hydrogen fuel-celled cars. While not viable in all townships, such cutting edge technology, it is my belief, will convey multiple benefits beginning in specific localities. I will promote the use of these cars among our newest drivers because of the initial limitations of infrastructure. With range depending on proximity to a refueling station, parents will be able to ensure their children are not journeying further than their parents would allow. Many of our suburbs contain little commercial activities for young people and they spend much of their time driving around with friends, wasting gasoline and polluting the air. The beginnings of hydrogen-powered cars can start here in New Jersey and bring with it the industry to support it. Tax incentives for the purchase of such vehicles, as well as enticements for corporations to produce these goods here in New Jersey, will spur growth in new sectors of our economy while helping save our precious environment.

Fourth, the strict enforcement of our laws on state roads will greatly increase our revenue and not only through the tickets issued. By enforcing common sense driving laws, many already on the books, we can greatly reduce traffic caused by miserable driving. The losses in productivity, commercial activity, valuable time, and general wellness because of congestion on our roads can and must be reduced. Every person who has driven on the Parkway notices that upon entering the road via on-ramps, most drivers immediately move into lanes to the left. Even before drivers gain the proper speed, they move left out of some self-centered desire to not be in the “slow lane.” Stretches of the Parkway are five lanes wide, yet the right side of the road is nearly deserted. We have signs “Keep Left except to Pass” but our roads are packed with “Left-Lane Tom, Dick, and Harry’s.” These drivers exacerbate road congestion by blocking faster moving traffic, causing accidents by impelling others to pass illegally on the right side, creating added frustration for citizens already stretched by the grind of modern life. I propose the establishment of two new laws as well as the strict enforce and the raising of fines for two of our current laws.

First, I recommend the implementation of mandatory written testing every seven years for every driver to ensure that every person driving a vehicle knows the rules of the road and knows them well. Our roads are far to crowded to be crippled by those who are not knowledgeable in proper vehicle operation. Furthermore, far too many young drivers fail their written tests in High School Driver’s Ed, only to repeat it over and over until a teacher has mercy on a disappointed student and hands them an over-simplified test. Driving is not a right, it is a responsibility and we deserve the expectation that those who drive on our roads will be qualified for such activities.

My second proposal is similar to a law used in a state where the drivers are considered the safest in America. On any road with two or more lanes traveling in a single direction, a car with three or more cars following closely behind it must doing everything in their power to move to the right and allow those behind it to pass. Those who fail to stay to the right, who cruise in the left lane while traffic builds behind them, will be fined and fined severely. With these new laws we can ensure that all drivers are qualified motorists and the common causes of danger and frustration are eliminated from our roadways.

The two statutes I referred to previously: the ban on hand-held cellular devices and, probably our most effortless requirement, “Wipers On, Lights On.” Allow me to start with the later. Driving in rainy wet conditions is of course more dangerous and difficult than driving under dry conditions. Visability is poorer, stopping more difficult, and the risk of losing control greater. How difficult is it to turn on headlights when engaging wipers? It is not. Yet many cars on our roads fail to do so, endangering every other car on the road. I will call for the strict enforcement of this law because it will save lives. In regard to cellular devices, our state ban on hand-held devices is the ultimate political deception. Studies show no difference when operating a vehicle using either a hand-held device or an ear-piece. But our legislature has enacted this law to prove it is doing something. Sometimes nothing is better than something. I propose a useful change which will actually prevent drivers from becoming distracted. Cellular phones may only be used if they are entirely voice operated, meaning drivers will never avert their eyes looking for a phone number or checking their caller ID or their text messages or whatever other distraction arise from these devices. Our roads are far too crowded to be further choked-up by drivers paying more attention to their phones than the road.

The enforcement of these roadway reforms will have multiple positive affects. By ensuring that our road laws are respected, we will reduce traffic congestion and accidents while decreasing productivity lost to traffic. The leisure time we treasure with our families will be increased as trips to the shore become shorter because responsible driving will make our roads safer and less congested. Those who disregard our laws will be fined severely. We recognize the importance of keeping our roads and its drivers protected and moving freely. I have no doubt that initially there will be an increased number of fines issued as we change the culture of how we drive in New Jersey, but the lives saved will be well worth the frustration of a few who refuse to share the road amiably with others.

Many may question my ideas and I welcome the debate and discussion. I am eager to work with every area of this state government to reform and improve its function. Some rigid ideologues may cast me as “a democrat in a republican’s clothing” but I assure every citizen of this state, I am a pragmatist interested in serving this state to the best of my ability, so help me God.