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Subscribe to RSSWASHINGTON -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Friday urged Washington lawmakers to speak honestly with the American people, warning the public may not like the solutions necessary to fix the country's economic woes, but "they know in their heart they have to accept it."
"Don't tell me the American people aren't ready to hear the truth. They know our government is out of control," Christie said at the CATO Institute's Milton Friedman Awards dinner. "They know our debt and our deficit is out of control. And don't confuse them liking the solution to them accepting it. They don't have to like it, but they know in their heart they have to accept it."
The Garden State governor has found himself in the midst of speculation that he could be a top contender to be chosen as presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney's running mate. Since endorsing Romney in the fall, he has been one of the former Massachusetts governor's top surrogates, and his speech here to the conservative think tank sounded like a politician on the national stage.
Christie said his leadership in New Jersey should be an example for the country, telling the story of how his state is battling back from some of the bleakest of economic times. He used an executive order to overcome the $2.2 billion budget shortfall he faced shortly after taking office in 2010.
The tough talking governor recalled for the crowd his options in overcoming the deficit. "I could sit down and negotiate with the Democratic leadership and the Democratically controlled legislature to try to come to an agreement on these cuts, or, thanks to New Jersey's unique Constitutional structure, cut spending through executive order," he said.
"Now, for those of you who watched me over the past two and a half years, if you believe I chose the former, then it is now time for you to leave. You are note smart enough to be here at the Milton Friedman Dinner."
The popular conservative, who mulled over his own presidential run, is often talked about in vice-presidential speculation because of his ability to excite the party base and record as a cost cutter in his home state. But he also is a lightening rod who could alienating independent voters with his in your face approach to politics.
"The great thing about operating by executive order is, first, that I didn't have to tell anybody," Christie said.
Christie has at times been a polarizing figure in New Jersey, but he maintains his way of doing business is something the federal government can learn from.
"Leaders have an obligation to make those tough choices. In New Jersey that is what we're trying to do. And in the process hopefully set an example for the rest of the country," he said.
"Believe me, if you can do this in New Jersey, you can do it anywhere."
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The only people who think government is doing a good job is people in government.
And democrats
Under Christie, the New Jersey state budget, the state budget has balooned and the unemployment rate is over a percentage point higher than the national budget. His administration is adrift. While the economy has recovered in the mid atlantic states, every other state has improved in one or the other or both indicators., New Jersey has shown no improvement. School budgets have been buthechered, local governments have had to cut services, and the private sector has completely failed. In fact, if it weren't for local governments adding jobs last month New Jersey would have increased in unemployment instead stayed steady at 9.2 % adjusted.
What has this clown done that anyone should listen to his "wisdom"??? The captain of a sinking ship telling the rich to get into the life boats and sail to the Caymans and the working stiffs to bail. What a dik.
Then why the f--- are you reading and listening to him, John?
The only thing out of control is your waistline, Christie.
Did you ever think it might be a throid problem? Probably not, you would rather post crap than find out if there are other reasons.
GCCal, Jay's a liberal. That's what he's programmed to do.
For those who think that austerity is the answer, take a look at where it got Great Britan, Spain, Greece and France. Cutting back must be done gradually and after our economy has grown stronger.
Spending is what got Great Britain, Spain, Greece, and France where they are just like the dems uncontrolled spending here in California. Spending cuts IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ANYONE TO GET OUT OF THESE MESSES.
AND in Great Britain, socialized medicine contributed greatly to their demise.
i wished the government spent money like a drunk salior, once and awhile a drunk salior passes out
to those who care about this country, the government does not owe us a living. we can not spend more than we take in forever
How true Wade, and:
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.
In New Jersey, taxes are "out of control", corruption is "out of control" and judging from Governor Christie's waistline, his eating is way out of control. This morbidly obese governor should focus on improving New Jersey for middle class citizens instead of pandering to the rich and famous.
Gov. Christie is not a person I find credible. He seems more show rather than stance. He actually does exactly what he's "fighting" against (i.e. helicopter ride to baseball game).
Christie is absolutely right. Out of control spending. Out of control national debt. Out of control usurping of state rights. Out of control efforts to control the private sector. Can't wait to remedy this in November.
You need to recall Christie.
"Christie has at times been a polarizing figure in New Jersey, but he maintains his way of doing business is something the federal government can learn from."
Bragging about doing business as a despot (the same way that 0bama has been doing business) is not the way to Americans hearts. However, I must commend you for telling the American people that you do not believe in the process of government, rather you prefer to act as kings do. Now we know one more, 'Do not vote for at any price,' politician.
We, the American people, are well aware that the government is out of control at every level. The government shows us that it is out of control every day. Every day what is supposed to be the US government does everything that it can possibly do to undermine the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and anything to do with American ideals.
As long as America has public officials instead of public servants, Americans will be taxed and unrepresented.
Looks like Christie is doing something right
4,119,665 people employed Jan. 2011
4,160,939 people employed Mar. 2012
That's an increase of 41,500 jobs.
Unemployment rate 9.4% Jan 2011
Unemployment rate 9.0% Mar. 2012
I live in NJ. When Christie first announced his candidacy for Gov. he sold his bill of goods on the Lowering Property Tax mantra. Well, he had his way with the Senate and Assembly and slapped a 2% cap on municipal spending, stomped on the teachers union and unleshed real hardship on the people of this state. He argued that property taxes were to blame for an exodus of CEOs who left for lower property taxes and took their big companies with them. (As if the mansion dwellers of Mountain Lakes would even shrug over a property tax increase). He didn't give the CEO's credit for very prudent executive decision making. NJ has lost jobs during his administration anyway.
Now we find that in order for local governments to meet their obligations, they are resorting to wide-spread property tax reassessments. This enables them to hold the tax rate (to appease Christy) but raise the base (market value) by more than 200% higher in tiny economically depressed communities. Folks where I live are being hit with increases of between $1,000 to $10,000. over last year!
Real tax cutter. By the way "Crispy Cream" belongs to me. I dubbed him that 4 years ago! It has less to do with his girth than his greed.
It always amazes me that the idots don't realize that tax cuts anywhere lead to cost increases if not tax increases somewhere else.
And it amazes me that the idiots dont realize that uncontrolled spending is what creates the frigging problem in the first place.
Governor Crisco has spoken. In between bites, of course!
Recall.
Doesn't matter if a democrat or republican says it - government and the budget deficit is out of control.
If we don't put aside our differences and work together to correct the situation, we face total collapse.
Check the picture on Drudge. They consolidated people and moved them around so it looked like a large crowd. Of course, his minions at MSNBC didn't report a terrible attendance just the wonderful speech. Wonder what they use to wash out their mouths.
Does the rest of the country really give a crap about what the glutton from New Jersey has to say?
You certainly don't speak for the 'REST OF THE COUNTRY'.......yours like mine is nothing more than a personal opinion.
SNAPPA--you nailed it!
How easy these Repulsi--can'ts/wont's/dont's conveniently forget how the massive deficit hole got dug---GWB and the puppet master Darth V disguised as a human being along with Don Rummy promoting big oil, big pharma, business profits over people, tax cuts/breaks, two unfunded wars, starving of government so it can't work, hiring unqualified but politically connected friends (heck of a job Brownie!) deregulating everything so the animals are in charge of the zoo, a "my way or the high way" Congress for much of that time with the goal to make Obama a 1-time President/footnote, the profits over people approach, the ridiculous faith placed in the trickle down theory plus so many other things large and small that were allowed to become our "norm" for most of the GWB years and yes, we do have problems.
To forget how we got here makes it easy to throw out empty words and phrases, half-baked conclusions and complaints that all the other side does is want to blame everyone else for the problems has become the norm.
Smart people, intelligent people remember who was in charge when the sink hole started, who allowed it to grow, who helped make it bigger by deeds and actions taken and deeds and actions not taken so all of the empty words and phrases criticizing those who DO remember have little importance and meaning to those with a sense of history.
To imagine going back to the same failed policies that got us here in the first place is the current game plan for the Repulsi-can't/won'ts/don'ts is not surprising but beyond belief that anyone with half a brain would want to do that.
Your post is just BS........Here is my opinion of the problem and it is called government waste and abuse:
In 1984 President Reagan charged the Grace Commission with the task of uncovering government waste and abuse. The Commission came back with over 1000 recommendations for curbing waste and abuse. In his cover letter, Peter Grace, A DEMOCRAT, stated the following:
Now since not one (1) Congress ever passed even one (1) of the recommendations, the problem grew and grew until we have the debt to revenue problem of today.
The government is NOT out of control .
It's the politicians who we have elected over and over again who are out of control .
Ah, great words from the apparently benevolent despot dictator. He does not need the duly elected legislature, he will rule by decree. If the people of New Jersey want a dictator then let them. He in Romney are exactly what this country does not need. Boehner and McConnell love this because they did everything possible to keep the government from helping the poor and middle class. All of you Cristie lovers should be locked up in a mental ward.
Why do libs hate good governors? Unions bankrupt states, governors like christie and walker, and even romney save them. Yet libs want to live in bankrupt states, doesnt make much sense.
I guess libs dont own houses.
Dumb fatcat Christie belongs somewhere else.
Not in Government anywhere. All he has is a bog mouth filled with vile for the people.
I think highly of Christie but I sure wish he would loose the weight. If he were running for the presidency I would be reluctant to vote for him because of his weight. In the early to mid 80's Harold Washington was the Democratic mayor of Chicago. He was a very likable guy. He ballooned to close to 300 pounds. He had a heart attack in 1987, which killed him. Christie looks as big as Harold Washington.
Can hardly wait till Romney and Obama square off in a debate. Until then everything is just low class BS.
"Government is out of control"? Whose control? Heh, heh, heh. Dear 99%: Unite! Recall, petition and set referenda, repeal, re-regulate; vote, vote, vote!