OK, a bit premature...but boy, do I like what I'm hearing from this guy.
He's seriously fiscally conservative. If the money's not there, he says so. He'll stand up to anyone. And I love the common-sense approach he takes.
His state is seriouly addicted to government. But he's helping to cure them.
Below is a clip where he stood up to a (unionized) teacher. He wasn't ugly--but he stuck to his guns!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y59zZTzRE3w
The more I hear about this guy, the better news he seems to be for the US.
NJ Gov. Chris Cristie for President!
Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by rbell, May 27, 2010.
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More explanation of the video:
The "heated discussion" was at a townhall meeting (imagine that--a public official holding a meeting with constituents--and it's open seating and open discussion--no Obama-like deck stacking here!). The exchange was between Gov. Christie, and NJ government school teacher (and teacher's union member) Rita O'Neill-Wilson (hmmmm...hyphenated name....). Much of the following synopsis comes from Neal Boortz's website (my comments interspersed):
Rita stands up and does not ask a question, she proceeds to complain about how much she is making (thanks to the taxpayers) and how she is entitled to more money. She tells the governor that if she were paid $3 an hour for the 30 children in her class, she would be earning $83,000 a year. She says she doesn't earn anywhere near that much (we will get to that claim in a second). Governor Christie interrupts her to remind her that she is earning a lot more if you include the cost of her benefits, which are generous considering her membership in a teachers union. Then Wilson says that she has a master's degree and that she isn't being compensated for her education or her experience. Governor Christie's response? "Well, you know then that you don't have to do it." (zzzing!)
As if that response wasn't good enough, Christie slams one final nail in the coffin by reminding Rita O'Neill-Wilson that he would not be in this position of having to impose cuts in education if Rita's precious teachers union had agreed to a one-year salary freeze and a 1.5% increase in employee benefit contributions.
Christie addresses Rita: "Your union said that is the greatest assault on public education in the history of the state ... That's why the union has no credibility..."
Priceless.
Now...further info on Mrs. Hyphenation's pay claim (also from Boortz):
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I wish this guy was from Texas. Our leaders need to stand up to people and tell them the truth. If there is no money for social programs there is no money....
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I propose legislation limiting government salaries and benefits to 5 or 6 times minimum wage for new hires/newly elected personnel.