Mr. President, Where Are The Jobs?

Ryan King of Midland, Michigan discusses his difficulties in the Obama economy

Christie Signs Landmark Pension, Benefits Reform

Today, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed into law landmark pension and health benefit reform, marking months of hard work, negotiation, compromise and ultimately bipartisan support. The fundamental reforms shake up New Jersey’s out-of-date, antiquated and increasingly expensive pension and health benefit systems and bring to an end years of broken promises and fiscal mismanagement by securing the long-term solvency of the pension and benefit systems. At the same time, critical savings for state and local governments are achieved – pension reform alone will provide savings to New Jersey taxpayers of over $120 billion over the next 30 years, and an additional $3.1 billion over the next 10 years from health benefits reform.

“This is a defining moment in New Jersey’s history. At a time when our state, along with dozens of others around the country are facing unprecedented fiscal challenges, a rarity happened. We stopped just talking about doing the big things and actually delivered. By working together, Republicans and Democrats have shown that when we put action before demagoguery and results before partisanship, we can accomplish great things for the people of New Jersey.

“By daring to be bold and take on the risks of addressing the big issues, we are doing what was once unimaginable – saving billions of dollars for taxpayers, fixing these systems in order to save them, and providing real, long-term fiscal stability for future generations of New Jerseyans.

“I want to once again thank Senate President Sweeney, Speaker Oliver, Senate Minority Leader Kean and Assembly Minority Leader DeCroce for their commitment and leadership in tackling these challenges. Every New Jerseyan can share in this victory that came through cooperation, bipartisanship and compromise,” concluded Governor Christie.

The historic bipartisan legislation was sponsored by Senators Stephen M. Sweeney (D-Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester) and Joseph Pennacchio (R-Morris, Passaic) as well as Assemblypersons Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden), Declan J. O’Scanlon, Jr. (R-Mercer, Monmouth) and cosponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Mercer, Monmouth).

Bill Signed: Sen. Allen Champions Medical Choice!

Here's a special shout-out to our own New Jersey State Senator Diane Allen who has courageously and successfully championed medical choice across state lines. 
Senator Allen (R- Burlington/Camden) was the prime sponsor of legislation (S-2959) protecting the ability of public employees to choose their medical providers regardless of state boundaries. Today she thanked Governor Christie for signing her measure as part of the state's landmark pension and health benefits reform package. From Senator Allen:

"New Jersey residents are proud of our state, but healthcare decisions are not a question of pride; they're a question of life and death. If the best prognosis for one's condition can be achieved at an out of state facility, public workers should be able to obtain care at that facility without a bureaucrat looking over his or her shoulder.
"Section 76 of the pension and benefits bill as initially drafted was unacceptable to me, and as I stated on the floor of the Senate my first preference was to remove that section of the pension and benefits bill.
"I am thrilled that any restrictions to out of state medical care have been stricken entirely from the pension and benefits legislation. In the fog of negotiating a massive and urgently needed tax relief and reform package through the legislature, we took the time to get the details of the bill right and ensure that $120 billion in savings to the taxpayers did not come at the expense of patient choice in our healthcare system."

You are right, Senator Allen. And Governor Christie was right to sign your companion bill to the health and benefits reform package. But we also thank YOU for having the courage and determination and simple common sense to champion this measure against the will of some VERY powerful forces.
We thoroughly support your re-election and we will do all that we can to see to it that you continue to serve the people of New Jersey.

Major Media Laud Christie On Pension, Benefits Reform

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is winning plaudits for the pension and benefits reform measure that he engineered. Christie will sign the bill at 1 p.m. today in a special ceremony at the auditorium of the War Memorial Building in Trenton.

Meanwhile, here's what major media are asying about the Governor's latest accomplishment:

New York Post, “The result is a compromise … This is what happens when you govern with your eyes open. Kudos to Christie, once again”:

“New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie pulled off something of a miracle this week -- pushing through a package of pension and benefits cuts for government employees that will save the state $130 billion over the next 30 years. And he did it as the Republican governor of a blue state where Democrats run the House and Senate -- and where unions have long run the Dems. The changes are remarkable.…Christie's reform won't fill that entire hole, but will help avert disasters down the road. And he got help from top Democrats in the Legislature, including Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, who's a union boss in his day job. The result is a compromise, to become law next week, that spares taxpayers from shouldering an unbearable burden. This is what happens when you govern with your eyes open. Kudos to Christie, once again.”  (Editorial, “Christie wins again,” New York Post, 6/25/11)

New York Post, “Jersey Leads Again”:

“… the deal should be a model for New York, which is rapidly sinking under the weight of its own soaring public-pension costs. Under the terms of the agreement, employees will contribute significantly more to their health-care premiums and pension benefits, though still well below what private-sector workers pay…These fixes are long overdue for the Garden State, whose pension and health-care funds are short a total $110 billion, thanks to years of non-payments and soaring costs. (And kudos to Democratic leaders there, who cut this election-year deal despite stiff opposition from the unions and their own members.) New Jersey is just the latest state to acknowledge the need for pension and health-care reform for its public employees. And it's not just Republicans arguing that things have to change. "New Jersey is setting a model for dealing with these problems in an honest, forthright and bipartisan way," said Christie. Now it's time for New York to come to grips with its own grim public-pension and health-care realities. Albany needs to pass reforms -- and never mind what the unions will say.”  (Editorial, “Jersey leads again,” New York Post, 6/17/11)

The Newark Star-Ledger, “Compromise. Tackling A Critical Issue…The Deal Saves Money. Billions. And We Applaud It”  

“It’s the Miracle of State Street: a historic agreement to roll back pension and health benefits for public employees — forged across party lines, with a testy governor and a reluctant Assembly leader, despite angry union opposition and a Democratic civil war. Compromise. Tackling a critical issue. Legislators doing what’s best for the state instead of what’s politically expedient for them — while telling unions to take a flying leap into the Delaware River. Whoa, this is still New Jersey, right? Is it the perfect deal? Of course not. Those are rare in politics — especially when emotions are involved. Is it a good deal for taxpayers? Unquestionably. It’s the first knot in the rescue rope as the state tries to pull itself out of a terrifyingly deep $120 billion pension and health benefits hole while also plotting a course toward long-term solvency…There is plenty of credit to go around: to Christie for prodding lawmakers and agreeing to compromises; to state Senate President Stephen Sweeney for starting this work before Christie arrived; to Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver for standing up to her caucus and the unions…The deal saves money. Billions. And we applaud it.”  (Editorial, “Benefits deal puts state on the right track,” The Newark Star-Ledger Editorial Board, 6/17/11)

The Bergen Record, “Radical change is needed. And radical change has arrived”:

“New Jersey's public pension and health care system is not sustainable as it exists. Radical change is needed. And radical change has arrived. To borrow from Don McLean's famous song, it is not so much goodbye to American pie. Public employees will still have pie. They will just have to pay more for a slice.”  (Editorial, “Day the unions died,” The Record, 6/19/11)

Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Christie Has Changed The Terms Of Political Debate In New Jersey, But Mr. Sweeney Deserves Special Taxpayer Praise For Bucking His Party's Union Base”:

“Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey and the state's top two Democratic leaders struck a deal on Wednesday to modify public employee retirement and health benefits, which would save the state at least $122 billion over the next 30 years. Unions like to portray such reforms as GOP assaults on labor, but Garden State Democrats are demonstrating that saving taxpayer money isn't always partisan…While the compromise with Democrats scales back Mr. Christie's original proposal, it's still a large step in the right direction…Mr. Christie has changed the terms of political debate in New Jersey, but Mr. Sweeney deserves special taxpayer praise for bucking his party's union base.”  (Editorial, “Democrats for Pension Reform,” Wall Street Journal, 6/17/11)

The Bergen Record, “Public employees have to contribute more toward pensions and health benefits if both systems are to be sustained”:

“Make no mistake, we approve of almost all of the deal made among Governor Christie, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, D-Essex. Public employees have to contribute more toward pensions and health benefits if both systems are to be sustained.” (Editorial, “A Poison Pill,” The Record, 6/21/11)

Daily Record, “The state’s pension and benefits reforms .. are absolutely essential if the state ever hopes to climb its way out of the fiscal hole it finds itself in”:

“The state’s pension and benefits reforms are hardly draconian. But they are absolutely essential if the state ever hopes to climb its way out of the fiscal hole it finds itself in…These harsh realities for public union workers have been business as usual in the private sector for years. Now, however unfortunately, public-sector employees will feel that same tightened economic noose.”  (Editorial, “Union workers joining the club,” Daily Record, 6/25/11)

The Gloucester County Times, “[Legislators] should take courage in the knowledge that they will be doing the right thing, the responsible thing, for all New Jersey citizens”:

“Today’s workers and retirees are running up larger bills for health care than in the past. Also, today’s retirees are living longer than their predecessors, drawing monthly pension checks for many more years than anticipated when the plans were first set up. Union leaders want to keep health and pension benefits as the exclusive perquisite of collective bargaining, but that’s how New Jersey got into this mess. Legislators forced to listen to outraged state workers should take courage in the knowledge that they will be doing the right thing, the responsible thing, for all New Jersey citizens by keeping employee costs manageable.”  (Editorial, “Stay the course and fix benefits,” Gloucester County Times Editorial Board, 6/19/11)

Times of Trenton,  “NJ pension, health benefits reform is a necessary first step”:

“The simple conclusion is that something had to give. In this case, a great many things gave…Giving up more of their salaries toward their benefits will be a burden on the 500,000 workers affected by the changes. But it’s no more onerous than what their friends and neighbors who are employed in the private sector have been going though since the recession began. It’s easy to cast this as a case of Democrat vs. Republican, workers vs. the wealthy. Of course, it’s much more complex than that… The state Senate Budget Committee did the right thing last week in approving the overhaul. We encourage the full Senate to do the same today, and urge the Assembly to follow suit.”  (Editorial, “N.J. pension, health benefits reform is a necessary first step,” Times of Trenton Editorial Board, 6/20/11)

The Trentonian, “That unseemly symbiosis was long, long overdue for a challenge”:

“This measure — a legislative monument to Gov. Chris Christie’s resolution and tenacity — and refusal to be cowed — is indeed, as he said, “a watershed moment.”… It has previously been all about politics in that Democratic lawmakers were heretofore all too eager to do the bidding of public-sector unions and benefit, in return, from the unions’ direct-dollar and in-kind campaign assistance. That unseemly symbiosis was long, long overdue for a challenge.”  (Editorial, “It’s about time NJ faces reality,” The Trentonian, 6/21/11)

Philadelphia Inquirer, “The Agreement Is Laudatory As An Example Of Bipartisan Compromise”

“For months, battle lines have been drawn in New Jersey's debate over health and pension benefits for state workers. On most days, compromise seemed out of the question. But now, Republican Gov. Christie and Democratic Senate President Stephen Sweeney are making progress with bipartisan legislation that would force public employees to pay more for benefits and raise the retirement age for new employees from 62 to 65. The unions have balked at not being able to negotiate concessions under collective bargaining. But with New Jersey facing an obvious and escalating problem, the Senate budget committee Thursday understandably approved the Christie/Sweeney proposal. Whatever shortcomings the measure may have, it is welcome news to taxpayers who want to see spending decreased…the agreement is laudatory as an example of bipartisan compromise…” (Editorial, “Progress on benefits,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/17/11)

Tom Moran, The Newark Star-Ledger, “New Jersey Politics Worked Thursday Because The Leadership On All Sides Showed Courage”:

“Mark this as the day that the spell was broken, the day that the public worker unions finally lost their stranglehold on the Legislature, the day that Democrats ginned up the courage to confront the most important special interest group in their coalition. Union leaders were in a daze, like jilted lovers who couldn’t believe the breakup was actually happening. This is Jersey, and they have been kings for a long time, even when Republicans were in power…That’s right. New Jersey politics worked Thursday because the leadership on all sides showed courage. Strange as it may seem to say this, the state was well served by its politicians. Gov. Chris Christie pushed this cause hard, and to great effect. Despite his pugilistic style in public, he made key compromises behind closed doors that allowed this to happen. Senate President Steve Sweeney came up large as well. Many of his fellow Democrats hate him for it, as do the public worker unions. He wants to run for higher office, and this could snuff his chances. But he did it anyway. The surprise was Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver. Her fellow Democrats constantly whisper that she is a weak leader, and is tainted because she won the speakership through a backroom deal arranged by the bosses. But this was her defining moment…We don’t see this kind of behavior in Washington these days. Sweeney and Oliver are confronting their own coalition, telling the unions they can’t have their way because its simply unreasonable.” (Tom Moran, “Real leadership sang louder than N.J. unions' tired refrains,” The Star-Ledger, 6/17/11)

Alfred P. Doblin, The Bergen Record, “The World As We Know It May Never Be The Same”:

“Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, D-Essex, and Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, joined with Republican Governor Christie and state Republican minority leaders in announcing an agreement on reforms to the public pension and employee health benefits systems. The world as we know it may never be the same. Public employee unions are up in arms. The New Jersey Education Association is desperate. It has long been able to do what it wants because it controlled public officials. It is fast becoming irrelevant. Key Democrats are no longer concerned about union support. When the moon is eclipsed, tides do strange things…In Wisconsin, Democrats fled, rather than vote for union reforms. In New Jersey, Democrats bled. They are fighting to the death over what it means to be a Democrat, right here and now. They are in a tough place. They can defy the leadership they elected and stand with unions and hope those unions can get them reelected. Or they can risk standing up to those unions and enact sweeping reforms…And as for the unions rallying against Sweeney, Oliver and Christie, it’s too late. The tide has gone out, that ship has sailed and Chris Christie is at the helm.”  (Alfred P. Doblin, “Public unions are left high and dry,” The Record, 6/17/11)

Jennifer Rubin, Wall Street Journal, “Unflinching Resolve By The Governor And A Responsible Leader Of The State Senate”:

“This is New Jersey. No tax hikes. No end to collective bargaining. Just unflinching resolve by the governor and a responsible leader of the state senate. By gosh, if Democrats in Trenton can forgo tax hikes and pass real entitlement cuts, can’t they do it in D.C.?”  (Jennifer Rubin, “Christie’s breakthrough deal,” Wall Street Journal, 6/17/11)

The Burlington County Times, “It Is Bipartisan — A Compromise Between A Republican Governor And A Democratic State Senate President”:

“New Jersey’s public employee pension system is on life support — so desperately underfunded that retirees in the very near future may be issued IOUs. But here we are, looking at empty coffers. Something has to be done. The same goes for benefits costs. Counties and municipalities can’t continue to pay the lion’s share of health insurance premiums, which are exempt from the 2 percent cap, without raising taxes. Something has to be done. We realize the Sweeney/Christie bill isn’t perfect. But it is bipartisan — a compromise between a Republican governor and a Democratic state Senate president. Who would have predicted that six months ago?”  (Editorial, “Focus on education,” The Burlington County Times, 6/17/11)

Restaurant Reviews: Philly, DC, Hilton Head

We've had a chance to enjoy some really fine restaurants lately (with some good value) and we'd like to tell you about them.
In Philadelphia we stopped for a lovely Italian dinner with friends at Bellini (220 S. 16th St.)  where we enjoyed dining in a warmly lit dining area surrounded by beautifully hand painted Italian murals.
The place is intimate and welcoming and the management and staff go out of their way to please.
Bellini features a full menu with fresh, homemade pastas, fish, risotto, poultry and free range meats. Entrees are in the $18 - $25 range. If you don't see what you want on the menu at Bellini (or if you would like to alter your dish in some way) just ask and they'll be happy to accommodate you. Everything is done with a personal touch. Reservations are recommended -- particularly on weekends. We think you'll like Bellini.
In Washington we hit one of the town's new dining hot spots, Founding Farmers.
This place is one of the country’s leading restaurants to offer farm-inspired American "true" food and drink in a modern, casual setting. The interior is comfortable and down-to-earth with whimsical decorative touches. There's a lighthearted feel about Founding Farmers. From this "modern farmhouse," breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch menus include homemade and ‘scratch-made’ traditional American classics inspired by the heartland. A collective of American family farmers actually owns the restaurant. They source their fresh products from family farms, ranches, and fisheries from across the United States.
In short, Founding Farmers is a place whee you will find great comfort food at reasonable prices in a delightful atmosphere that is refreshingly unpretentious. Dinner entrees run from $18 to $32 and reservations are a must.
Finally, here in Hilton Head we've just enjoyed the new Flatbread Cafe near Coligny Plaza in the space formerly occupied by Hinchey's.
Yes, Flatbread Cafe does feature what the name implies but this place boasts a sleek bar and a fresh, open, eclectic feel with a menu that includes soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta and one of the best pizzas we've ever tasted. The thin-crust pizza was fresh, flavorful, aromatic and cooked to perfection. Outdoor dining is available on a beautiful new deck and brick and wood interior is downright cool. Pizzas are priced from $8.95 to $18.95 depending on size and trimmings. It's a welcome addition to our favorite island.

Michelle's Trip Costs Us $700,000 to $800,000

Here's an excerpt from a very informative column by Keith Koffler at his White House Dossier:

First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to South Africa and Botswana last week cost taxpayers well over half a million dollars, possibly in the range of $700,000 or $800,000, according to an analysis by White House Dossier.
Many of the trip’s expenses cannot be obtained with specificity, including the cost of local transportation for the first lady, Secret Service protection, the care and feeding of staffers, and pre-trip advance work done by administration officials in South Africa.

Click here for more.

Former Illinos Governor Guilty On 17 Counts

Ousted Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich was found guilty Monday on 17 counts. Paired with a conviction on lying to the FBI from his first trial, he faces up to 305 years in prison, though his sentence will likely be much shorter. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five to 20 years.
Click here for more.

Chris Christie Reveals His Big, Fat, Closeted Secret

We know that New Jersey's Governor has said it a million times: He's not running for President in 2012. No way.
And we believe Chris Christie when he says it.
We take him at his word.
But what if Chris Christie does decide to run someday? What if?
If and when that day comes and the media decide to shine a white hot light on him, what will they find? If they look into his closets and beneath the rugs and under his bed, what will they find?
Well, that's exactly the question that Don Imus decided to ask Chris Christie this morning.Imus wanted to know: "What are you holding back? What will they find?"
And here's how Chris Chritie answered: “You know what Don, you’re the only guy I can share this with, I’m fat. If they put the bright light on me I’m going to sweat.”

Philly Flash Mob Breaks Woman's Leg

Another day, another flash mob.
The memories of a flash mob looting of a nearby department store were still fresh when a mob of young people attacked again near the center of Philadelphia's downtown area Saturday.
This time the young thugs were after pedestrians.
They shouted "run, run" and then they swarmed, breaking someone's leg and injuring others.
Yes, these mobs have hit other cities as well: Chicago and Washington to name a couple.
But I'm talking about Philly now because this is what I'm most familiar with and most concerned about.
Let's be clear on this: The flash mob attacks must end if the city is to have any future whatsoever. Forget "Philly Rising." Philly ain't goin nowhere but down if these hooligans are allowed to continue rampaging through city streets.
And as Mayor Michael Nutter seeks re-election, he'd better get on the case, pronto lest he find an newly-emerged independent candidate snapping at his heels.
Mature, law-abiding, taxpaying citizens are not amused -- not one bit.
Here's an excerpt from this morning's Philadelphia Daily News:

A woman's leg was broken and several other people were injured Saturday night when a large group of teens accosted pedestrians in Spring Garden, police and witnesses said.
Philadelphia police responded to two reports of pedestrians being assaulted by a large group of young people along Broad Street about 9:30 p.m.
One of those reports came from Emily Guendelsberger, 27, city editor for local arts and entertainment content for the Onion, the satirical newspaper and website. She was walking with seven friends on Green Street near Broad when they were accosted, she said. Guendelsberger, who remained hospitalized with a broken leg yesterday, declined to comment further.
A friend who was with her at the time, Daily News staff writer Molly Eichel, said that they were walking down Green Street when a group of teens was walking down Broad. "We heard kids yell, 'Run, run,' " Eichel said. "Some kid just came out of nowhere and punched my friend Charlie in the face."
Eichel said that when her group tried to run, about 20 teens chased them down the street. "They were kicking kids down and punching them when they were down," she said.

Click here for more on this story.

A Musical Talent Worthy Of Recognition

Did I mention how much I like Darius Rucker?
Rucker first gained fame as the lead singer and rhythym huitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina along with Dean Felber, Mark Bryam and Jim "Soni" Sonefeld The band released five studio albums with him as a member, and charted six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Rucker co-wrote the majority of the band's songs with the other three members.
But after releasing a solo R & B album Rucker signed with Capitol Nashville and re-emerged as a country singer. And he's never lookes back.
His album Learn To Live scored big time with the single Don't Think I Don't Think About In 2009 Rucker became the first African-American to win the Best New Artist Award from the Country Music Association.
Right now I'm listening to Rucker's second album, Charleston, South Carolina 1966. It's beautiful. He has wonderful voice -- superb inflection and timing. I particularly like the song Southern State of Mind. It sums up everything about  the South that's good and decent -- friendliness, honest values, a sense of place and purpose, a distinct identity.
It's fitting that we're reflecting on all this while we're here in South Carolina. To put it quite simply, the sweetness of the South is intoxicating.
Darius Rucker was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, where his family history goes back generations. His single mother, Carolyn, who was a nurse, raised him with his five siblings: three sisters and two brothers. According to Rucker, his father was "never around," and Rucker only saw him before church on Sundays. His father was in a gospel band called The Rolling Stones. Rucker has said that he had a "typical Southern, African-American upbringing." His family attended church every Sunday and was economically poor, and at one point, his mother, her two sisters, his grandmother and 14 children were all living in a three-bedroom home.  Even so, he says that he looks back on his childhood "with very fond memories."
Here's what Rucker said in 2008: "You see a lot of people doing a one-off, saying, 'This is my country record.' But this is a career I'm trying to build. The people that say that they don't get it, I'll let the music speak for itself. I plan to do a lot of country records."
Darius Rucker doesn't have to convince me or anyone else that he's a great singer, a genuine artist in song and a real honest-to-goodness member of the country music family. Rucker proves that talent, hard work and determination still count for something. Yes, his music does speak for itself.
But don't take my word for it. Just remember that Frank Sinatra asked Rucker to sing at his 80th birthday party. Ole Blue Eyes knew talent when he saw (and heard) it.