In the past few weeks there have been some loosely sourced reports to the effect that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is considering making a run for President. This story, for example, is largely based on anonymous sources and unattributed statements.
I don’t know whether Christie is, in fact, considering getting into the race, but I hope he does. I would like to learn more about Christie and his views, because I have liked a lot of what I have seen of him so far. He’s a governor who has made some tough decisions. He has actual administrative experience. He inherited a bad budget problem and he did what was necessary to bring the New Jersey budget into balance, without resorting to budget gimmickry. He hasn’t been afraid to rattle cages or wield the veto pen. He has taken a strong position on holding down taxes and reducing spending. He also brings a different perspective on social issues than many of the other candidates currently in the Republican race.
I also have enjoyed reading, and watching, some of Christie’s remarks. I admire his refreshingly candid, straight-from-the-shoulder, plain-spoken responses to questions. He doesn’t seem to dodge questions or rely on sterile talking points. Instead, he appears to be that rare politician who expresses his actual views and is willing to accept the consequences. We need more people like that running for national office, not less.
If Christie were to make a bid for the presidency, I might actually watch one of the Republican candidate debates. He would make the race much more intriguing.
Webner House 
He appears to be honest, always an encouraging sign. If substance supports the style then he could be a contender. I do not want a leader who tells me what I want to hear; I want a leader who tells me the truth, no matter how disagreeable. Sometimes “no” is the right answer.
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He’s honest? LOL do a few seconds of googling if you honestly believe that.
He wants to cut Medicare (I wonder how your parents feel about that), while he uses public funded helicopters to attend baseball games. He hasn’t made up his mind on evolution (a tough one evidently), but does want to cut in upwards of 30 million in his state going to childcare centers. He wraps himself in the constitution as he seeks to limit the rights of Americans (he’s a huge figurehead in anti-gay marriage movement), but that’s nothing new as he’s a bigot (he called Sharia Law a bunch of ‘crap’)…
One could really go on and on. He’s intriguing in that he’s like every other GOP candidate just quite a bit fatter. He’s different if you haven’t done any research on his stances and the other candidates stances. Meaning he’s a dream GOP candidate, someone you can like and not know a damn thing about.
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What I said was, “He appears to be…” Since he is not yet a candidate I haven’t spent any time researching his background. I am socially responsible and fiscally conservative. I have voted for Democrats all of my life, with some exceptions in state and local races. I am not convinced that all Republicans are bad any more than I am convinced all Democrats are good.
My parents are dead and neither of them had an opportunity to use the Medicare benefit they worked all of their lives to support.
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Well… since your parent are dead, who gives a heck what happens to it huh? Screw all the rest!
Nowhere do I say that Republicans=bad, and democrats=good. So don’t try that, but just look at Christie’s record. Any rational, sane person would see he’s a morally corrupt politician who is controlled by lobbyist money. It’s a problem most of our politicians have (on either side of the isle) but Chrisitie is worst them most, and it’s clear as day to see.
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Your initial mention of my parents served no purpose. You’re jumping to conclusions in speaking for my view on entitlement benefits.
I wasn’t implying that you said anything regarding Democrat v Republican; I was stating my opinion on the matter.
My point is Christie is not even a contender yet; if he becomes a contender then, of course, I’ll perform due diligence before voting for him.
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the fact that you call Medicare or Social Security an ‘entitlement benefit’ says it all. They’re not, they’re paid into therefor receiving them isn’t an ‘entitlement’ but receiving what you’ve paid for all your life. It’s a conservative tactic (or downright lie) to change the wording to imply otherwise.
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To the extent you are saying that people who receive Social Security benefits or Medicare coverage are simply receiving what they have put into those programs, I believe that is incorrect. The benefits paid to people who are currently receiving Social Security are paid by current workers. With the increased life spans of Americans, it is not uncommon for Social Security recipients to receive far more in benefits than they paid in contributions.
We can argue about semantics, but the reality is that Social Security and Medicare are “entitlements” — they are programs that Americans believe they are entitled to receive.
Like elroyjones, I haven’t made up my mind about Chris Christie, but I am interested in learning more about him. Not being from New Jersey, I am not as familiar with him as you may be. I’d be interested in learning more about why you believe he is “morally corrupt” and “controlled by lobbyist money.”
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I live in Chicago. I read politics, and gather news, not content to just live in the bubble of my local news. I don’t play the morally corrupt “I’ll wait and see” game (you want to play semantics there’s one, I haven’t ‘made up my mind’, what are you waiting for)? Oh, he has to be a politician wanting the highest position for you to actually care about the effect his piss poor beliefs (and the execution of them) have on your fellow Americans. But hey, they live in NJ and you don’t so ‘F*ck ‘Em’.
Your argument about SS is grossly incorrect, and just twisting or out right distorting. You admit that they are paid into, but still an ‘entitlement’ (not possible). Then you think just saying that people feel ‘entitled to them’ makes them such, which is just a incorrect word game. I mean most American’s feel they are entitled to freedom, clean water, and relatively safe neighborhoods. Do this make the Constitution, Water Regulation, and the Police Department ‘entitlement’ programs? Absolutely not, and it would be absurd to posit this.
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The entitlement benefits are supported by taxes paid by workers and employers. Typically, the burden is shared equally between worker and employer but this year the employer is paying a bit more.
There are people who receive social security disability benefits, who have never paid into the system. It is socially responsible to provide for those who are unable to support themselves.
Americans subsidize their public water and police departments through property taxes, which means that people who do not own property receive those services for free in most municipalities.
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A bald face lie, or an ignorant belief. People that don’t own property are renters, and their water, etc. are factored into their rent payments by those that rent the apartments or homes the renters live in.
Plus, most other benefits that cities use are collectively paid for by taxes or tolls, which all pay based on use.
You’re second paragraph is accurate, and morally justifiable (nice job), it’s also something Chris Christie is working hard to abolish…
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Our water comes from a well. Presumably property taxes are part of rent; although, where I am it doesn’t seem like landlords are profiting at all after they pay property taxes and maintenance. Morals are subjective.
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Evidently morals are. But what shouldn’t be subjective is the treatment of your fellow man. At every turn you’ve taken the argument to how it affects just little old you, rather then anyone else (“my water is from…”, “my parents…”), or the collective populace at large. At some point everyone will need the collective help of the community, I just hope your fellow neighbors and inhabitants of the city or state or country you live in care more about you (and everyone else) then you do them.
Sickening.
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I would be willing to bet that elroy jones is a good neighbor and that her real-life neighbors are glad to have her around — as are her virtual neighbors on the blogosphere. We may not agree on everything, but her comments are always thoughtful and receptive to opposing viewpoints, without being harshly judgmental or mean-spirited. That makes her a good person and a good neighbor in my book.
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a perfectly simple view from a simple mind, if that’s ‘thoughtful’ then I’m Stephen Hawking. Good luck with Christie guys.
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Well, it’s nice to know that I’ve achieved perfection at something! Although we obviously disagree, I appreciate your willingness to share your perspective and your views.
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Thanks so much for your kindness, webnerbob.
Any small windfalls I may receive are split between the municipal general assistance fund, our library where all may read, seek fellowship and stay warm for free, and our soup kitchen and homeless shelter. I rarely treat myself without turning it around to treat someone else who is struggling. I know my neighbors, when they are sick or lonely, as well as their joys and triumphs.
Generally people will rise to your expectations so it’s much nicer to expect decency.
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