October 9, 2008

Things have to change in this country right now

Guest Editorial: 
By Jim Purcell

    The United States is in shambles after eight years of Republican control. Whether the discussion turns to foreign trade, international relations, the economy, or even just the nation's confidence, George W. Bush was a bad idea both times he ran for office, in my book.
    President George Bush took a thriving, vital nation with a surplus and has decimated what he could, and that was a lot. John McCain is not George Bush, but he does agree with the vast majority of Mr. Bush's decisions, more than 90 percent of the time. I couldn't vote for Sen. McCain in good conscience this time or anytime.
    The state of the nation has nothing to do with the fine or poor characters of the politicians in office --- it has to do with how they make decisions and how bright or dim they are. Mr. Bush's plans were awful. His statesmanship wasn't great. He disappointed. And, if someone tells me they agree with that statesmanship then I am going to have to strongly disagree with its basis in reason, where it regards most things. He was a kind of hurricane all by himself.
    New Jersey is a ship that is not right, and it spends too much money, it punishes businesses for staying, and the quality of life in the state is shrinking for the vast majority of residents. On top of everything else, New Jersey is probably the most corrupt state in the union.
    What's the answer? God only knows.
    In Monmouth County, it is time for the Monmouth County Republican Organization to not be in control for a while, in my opinion. Corruption is rampant and only thinly concealed from public view. The corruption is institutional and spans the county.
    Monmouth County's best-known bond firm is the one that employs Middletown Township Republican Chairman Peter Carton, whose company has accounts in Freehold, Monmouth County and Middletown, among others. It is not illegal for one to wield political power like his, and for one's employer to be so pre-eminent among contractors in Monmouth. But, it looks funny. There's a lot of that going around in Monmouth. There are "special people" and "special companies," and they charge a lot for being "special."
    Attorneys, whose only real basis for selection is their affiliation to top Republican politicians and politicos not their actual competence, are a pestilence today in Monmouth.
    The family members and friends, not to mention friends of friends, of Monmouth Republicans are so insinuated within the government's infrastructure that the notion of "best person for the job" is simply quaint and perhaps nostalgic most times, but certainly not grounded in reality. And despite any "savings" this Board of Freeholders has done, so much more could have happened. So much more could have been saved, or not taxed in the first place. Accordingly, there's not a chance I would cast a ballot for a Republican this year on the county level, and I'll hold my breath and see what change brings should Democrats win and earn a majority.
    Make no mistake: there are no "white knights" in politics, only the guy or gal who is going to be a little more responsible for the dollar than the next politician for the moment.
    But nowhere along the political landscape in this county is there anything that approaches the nonsense in Middletown. I've been at Courier 10 years and have yet to see a major purchase or great initiative made that did not absolutely stink of partisanship, and the cost of these things is just not something that is considered by those in charge today.
    There is no sense of frugality, and whether it is building an $8.5 million project on contaminated soil or buying land from former party contractors, the Republican Party in the town has not deserved the trust of the people for some time.
    The "GOP line" should be about common sense. It isn't. Since the elected Republicans in town seem to think it is so much better to do what they are told by their political masters rather than use the space between their ears, I don't think voting for them sends the right message.
    Meanwhile, Middletown committeemen Patrick Short and Sean Byrnes have been awake at the wheel, trying to save the nickels and dimes. Maybe if they had a majority they could actually get something done.
    One way or the other, things have to change: nationally and locally. This country, state, county and area has got to try a new approach, because the old one is a dog that just doesn't hunt anymore, the way I see it.