Wake Up New Jersey Republicans

Ninety-two percent (92%) of New Jersey voters believe the state's budget problems are serious, and most would prefer that it be balanced by cutting services rather than raising taxes, according to a newly released Quinnipiac poll.

Voters say 57 - 28 percent that they would rather cut services than raise taxes to balance the state budget. Democrats split 44 - 44 percent on service cuts or tax hikes, while Republicans prefer service cuts 75 - 13 percent and independent voters prefer service cuts 55 - 26 percent.

Given nearly everyone in the state understands there is a serious budget problem facing the state and a clear majority would prefer spending cuts to tax increases; you have to scratch your head and wonder why Jon Corzine was elected Governor this past November. Corzine ran on his “affordability agenda”, chuck full of new state spending initiatives. What were voters thinking? Better still, what were the citizens who failed to vote thinking?

We are left to conclude tax receivers were highly motivated to vote in their self-interest and that many taxpayers stayed home because they didn’t believe Doug Forrester would govern with their interests in mind – it really didn’t matter who won the election – their interests would not be placed first in a Forrester administration.

This is a major failing of New Jersey’s Republican Party in our opinion. The Party tries to court both taxpayers and tax receivers, a strategy that fails time and again. Taxpayers hear a mixed message from state Republican candidates and therefore, stay away from the voting booth in droves.

Taxpayers need representation and they are not being well served by the New Jersey Republican Party’s weak advocacy and muddled message. There’s a majority of voters in New Jersey longing for candidates willing to stand up to the special interests and to fight for their families and economic future. What will it take for the state’s Republicans to become their standard barer? Wake up Republicans!