Lonegan: GOPers who push "moderation" while cutting deals with Dems are an existential threat to our party.

An important and timely message from the father of New Jersey's conservative movement:

Fellow Republicans,

You all know me.

No matter what you think of me, you all know where I stand on the issues. Some of you might accuse me of being too unwavering, unwilling to compromise, but nobody has ever doubted where I'm coming from.

As we watch the Christie era in the rear-view mirror, we need to decide on what kind of party we intend to be. We need to chart a course for the road ahead.

That's very easy for someone like me. The course is free market conservatism, defending freedom at home, and our interests abroad. It is the message of our Republican Party Platform. Simple enough. If you call yourself a Republican, you should value Republican principles.

Unfortunately, that is not who is leading the Republican Party in Bergen County these days. There are too many who look to cut deals with the Democrats -- and not for idealistic policy aims -- but for their personal benefit. Their vision of the Republican Party is a defeatist one, where they seek to benefit from the crumbs swept from the Democrat table. The policies they advocate consist of slavishly mimicking a watered down version of the Democrats' own post-Western, post-Christian, anti-Freedom agenda.

You've probably heard it around the county, and around the state, that a conservative cannot win -- anything. The fact is that the only Republican to win statewide office in over twenty years was both Pro-Life and Pro-Second Amendment. The fact is that those Republicans who get the most votes in New Jersey are consistently the most conservative. The liberal wannabe Republicans can't turnout their base and those they want to convince have someone better to vote for -- a Democrat.

This "moderate" nonsense is like a religion with some of our so-called "leaders" -- those who practice the Janus-faced religion of being all things to all voters. Even though every study and every poll shows that they will not convince a Democrat to vote Republican in this starkly divisive climate, they hold true to the faith that turning-off a dozen conservatives is worth every liberal vote they pick-up.

The way forward is clear for 2018: Maximum Republican and conservative turnout. A full effort.

Of course, there are some within our party who are working against this. Some who are personally enmeshed with the Democrats. It's happening in other parts of the state as well. Democrats are playing in our primary. In every congressional battleground in the state, there is a former Democrat running as a Republican or a liberal Republican with Democrat-ties claiming to be a conservative. Every one.

They are there for one reason: To make us spend money so we won't have it to hit the Democrats in the General Election. Here in Bergen County, I am facing an opponent who was described by the Bergen Record as the "right hand man" to Democrat Sheriff Michael Saudino. Let's not forget that it was Saudino's feud with the Republican County Executive that lost us control of our county. Saudino, followed that up by joining Hillary Clinton and Josh Gottheimer on a ticket that crushed the BCRO. Through it all, my opponent remained employed by Sheriff Saudino, as his trusted consigliore, and actually started his campaign while still on the Democrat's payroll.

Now we all know where Sheriff Saudino stands on this election. He's backing fellow Democrat Josh Gottheimer for re-election this year. So are Mayors Harry Shortway of Vernon and Harry Shortway of Midland Park. They held an event for my opponent at their family bar in Passaic County. Did you follow that? They are endorsing Democrat Josh Gottheimer in the General Election but held an event to help my opponent in the Republican primary. Meanwhile, in a neighboring district, the insider-backed "Republican" candidate wouldn't tell a room full of Republicans how he voted for President in 2008 (Obama vs. McCain), 2012 (Obama vs. Romney), or 2016 (Clinton vs. Trump). And like my opponent, this fellow seems to be allergic to voting in a Republican primary.

Our party faces an existential threat from those who cut deals with Democrats and then preach the religion of "moderation" while pushing fake Republican candidates on us. We must resist them, whether they are well-meaning and stupid or slick and treacherous. It is time to use the Republican Party Platform and our conservative principles as the measure by which we judge our candidates. If some of our so-called "leaders" don't like that platform or our principles, they are free to leave the party and start their own. I, for one, am sick and tired of being dictated to by a small group of professional political "leaders" who are totally out of touch with the thoughts and views of most Republicans. It is time for them to go.

A party that knows what it is about, is a party that can convince people to get involved, contribute, and win. This holds true up and down our ticket. The message of lower taxes, less government, and individual freedom is a winning one. The Democrats' warmed-over socialism, leavened with coarse identity politics has, in the end, always lost.

Thank you for your time and I hope I will have your support to secure our primary in June and defeat the Democrats in November. If you have any insights you would like to share with me, please feel free to send me an email at steve@lonegan.com.

Thank you,
Steve Lonegan

Andover Twp picks fight with Governor

Facebook is the destroyer of political careers -- and it just isn't those politicians who use it to advertise their private parts.  For every Congressman Weiner there is a Committeeman John Jack Burke, a guy who takes up some issue and goes off half-cocked on Facebook, and only afterwards collects together a reason -- or an excuse -- for doing so. 

John Jack or, rather, Mr. Burke, is a corporate factotum who was elected to the Andover Township Committee in 2014.  His method of covering up his Facebook faux pas is to implicate his entire Township -- its committee and people -- in an uninformed pissing contest with the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie.  Oh, and by the way, he also managed to put Andover Township on record as pissing on the Speaker of the Assembly, the Republican Leader of the Assembly, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the New Jersey Association of Counties, and the New Jersey League of Municipalities. 

Committeeman Burke or John Jack or... whatever he calls himself, doesn't like the gas tax.  Hey, nobody does.  New Jersey has kept its tab on an open credit card since 1988 just to avoid raising the gas tax.  When states like Pennsylvania raised their gas tax to 50 cents a gallon to pay for their roads and bridges, New Jersey kept it right at 14 1/2 cents and put the rest on the credit card -- and kept right on doing it for three decades. 

Think of it this way:  The same burger that cost you a $1.70 in 1988 now costs over $5.00.  Just try buying food for your family at 1988 prices and see how far you get.  Why should roads be any different? 

Nobody faults Committeeman Burke for opposing higher taxes.  Opposing taxation is a very Republican thing to do.  We just wish that more Republicans would oppose spending as well. That's the problem with so many suburban Republicans.  They always want more -- but never want to pay for it. 

What we fault Committeeman Burke for is not telling the truth.  You see, Committeeman Burke talked the other people in Andover Township's local government into attacking Governor Chris Christie for his proposal "to increase the gas tax by $0.23 per gallon."

But that's not true.  That's not the Governor's proposal.  And people who purport to represent a town as upwardly mobile as Andover Township should have the brain power to know that it's not true. 

You see, state legislation isn't some words that the town committee of Andover Township throws together and then imposes on both chambers of the Legislature.  Legislation can only be proposed by members of the Legislature who have been elected by the people of their districts.  Committeeman Burke should try running and find out.  That's how it works. 

The legislation in question is a bill called A-12.  Yes, it does contain a 23-cents per gallon increase in the gasoline tax, as well as a 1 percent cut in the sales tax, and the elimination of taxes on retirement income for more than 80 percent of retirees.  As members of a T-O-W-N committee, the voters have not given you the authority to split this legislation.  You support A-12 or you oppose it -- the whole thing.  And you live with that.  That is the honest way.

The dishonest way is to act as though legislators can vote for part of it and then against another part.  That is misleading.   

But what is more  disconcerting is the juvenile way in which this handjobbery was conducted.  Andover Township is very fortunate to have a member of the Legislature as both a resident and a former mayor and township committeewoman.  As far as we know, all the members of the Andover Committee are Republicans. 

Now we all know that John Jack jumped the gun and started spraying on Facebook, but a more adult crowd would have contained his juvenile urge and then would have brought their concerns face-to-face to make strong and reasoned arguments against this proposal supported by the Governor, the Assembly Speaker, and the Republican Assembly Leader.  Unlike most towns, you actually have a legislator in your town to facilitate it. 

Instead, by appearing to be afraid of making your arguments face-to-face, and then by misrepresenting the legislation, you strike a dubious, dishonest pose.  It is as if you dare not make your case face-to-face for fear it will be refuted.

Be honest, be forthright, make your case.  Republican-to-Republican.  Face-to-face.

Update on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 9:56PM by Sussex County Watchdog

Governor Christie destroys Andover Township surrogate Spadea.

The Media wants Higher Taxes on YOU

Tom Moran, editor of the state's biggest paper -- the Newark Star-Ledger -- owned by union-busting, out-of-state billionaires, has gave away the Establishment's game plan for New Jersey.  It is this:  A big gas tax increase with no accompanying tax cuts.

Editorializing in Sunday's Star-Ledger, Moran wrote that the majority Democrats should just borrow for now and wait until after 2017 -- when they elect a Democrat Governor and Chris Christie leaves office.  Then they will be able to raise the gas tax.  Period.

That is why the Establishment is so big on killing the Oroho plan.  Unlike some of his more delusional colleagues, Sussex County's Steve Oroho recognized the FACT that the Democrats control BOTH chambers of the Legislature.  Knowing that, he put together a plan WITH them -- a plan that now has the chance of passing.  Oroho's plan (officially, the Oroho-Sarlo plan after his Democrat co-sponsor) will raise the user tax on gasoline, but link that tax increase to a series of tax cuts.

The Oroho plan will allow retirees to deduct up to $100,000 of retirement income on their state income taxes. This will annually save retirees $1,200 on average.  90% of state retirees will see their income tax bill completely eliminated, allowing them to afford to stay in New Jersey near their children and grandchildren keeping families together. 

For those currently working or looking for a job, the Oroho plan will phase out New Jersey’s estate tax – the nation’s most expensive.  This will prevent many small to medium businesses from being forced to leave the state for friendlier tax climates.  Too many jobs have gone south.  The Oroho plan will make our state more competitive, and help keep jobs in New Jersey. 

The Oroho plan creates a new state income tax deduction for giving to New Jersey-based charities that provide safety-net services to our communities, and increases the Earned Income Tax Credit to help low-income workers keep more of their paychecks.  Sussex County charities like Project Self-Sufficiency, local food pantries like Champions for Charity, Ginnie's House, and Birth Haven will all be primary beneficiaries of the Oroho plan. 

The Oroho plan will provide property tax relief by sending more state aid to local municipalities for the maintenance and repair of roads and bridges -- without which, property taxes would have to be increased to pay for it. 

In choosing a user tax on gasoline to pay for New Jersey's roads and bridges, rather than a broader tax like the property tax, Senator Steve Oroho is following the principle set by President Ronald Reagan.  It was Reagan who said:  "Good tax policy decrees that wherever possible a fee for a service should be assessed against those who directly benefit from that service."  Reagan himself raised the gas tax to pay for the road improvement projects of the 1980's.  President Reagan noted:  "Our highways were built largely with such a user fee - the gasoline tax. I think it makes sense to follow that principle in restoring them to the condition we all want them to be in." 

Sussex County taxpayers recognize a good deal when they see it.  In return for an average $180 expenditure at the pump, retirees and those looking forward to retirement will get an annual savings of $1,200 on average.  Nine out of every ten retirees will from now on pay NOTHING.

Recent polling data bears out just how popular this idea is:

T14. Would you support or oppose a proposal that would increase the state gas tax and

eliminate other taxes, like the state tax on retirement income? 

Total Support .......................................................... 67%

Total Oppose .......................................................... 19%

Strongly Support ...................................................... 47%

Somewhat Support .................................................. 20%

Strongly Oppose ..................................................... 12%

Somewhat Oppose .................................................... 7% 

Unsure, No Opinion ............................................... 14%

T15. A proposed increase in the state gas tax would cost the average driver an extra 200 dollars each year. Eliminating the state tax on retirement income would save the average retiree more than twelve hundred dollars each year. Knowing this information, would you support or oppose a proposal that would increase the state gas tax and eliminate the state tax on retirement income at the same time?

Total Support .......................................................... 74%

Total Oppose .......................................................... 14%

Strongly Support ...................................................... 58%

Somewhat Support .................................................. 16%

Strongly Oppose ..................................................... 12%

Somewhat Oppose .................................................... 2%

Unsure, No Opinion ............................................... 12%

Those are some numbers.  So stay tuned as this debate heats up and make your voices heard.  If people like the media's Tom Moran get their way, you will be stuck with a gas tax increase... PERIOD!  If politicians like Senator Jennifer Beck and groups like NJEA, AFP, and the Socialist Party USA get their way... your property taxes are going to EXPLODE! 

The responsible way forward, based on Reagan's principle, is to raise the user tax to avoid a property tax hike, while cutting taxes on retirees, making New Jersey better for small businesses and job creation, and by providing relief for property taxpayers and the working poor.   That's the Oroho plan.