Put up or shut up

by: Adam L a/k/a clammyc

Mon Jun 15, 2009 at 02:21:08 PM EDT

I get press release after press release from republican Assemblymen (and Assemblywomen), as well as members of the NJ republican party - each and every one denouncing something that either was cut or wasn't cut in the budget.

And while this is far from an ideal budget - we should keep in mind that it is the lowest budget in years, a balanced budget is required, and cuts have to be made in areas that some groups won't like.

All of that being said, what is stunning is that with all of the criticism, there has not been one single credible budget alternative offered up by these critics.  Chris Christie thinks that he only needs to criticize Corzine's budget, but of course, that will do no good if he were to win in November, as he actually would have to craft one that is balanced.  Now, this may be tough for Christie to grasp, since he admitted that he is no good at math.

Which, I guess, that also explains how his idea of a budget would be rainbows and free ice cream and tax cuts for everyone everywhere.  As Paul Mulshine said, it is just fantasy.

The state is in dire financial straits - and despite the fact that republicans want to ignore it - Corzine has done some things that would mitigate the disaster.  Shoring up the unemployment fund to avoid a $400 million tax increase on employers comes to mind.  So does his own economic stimulus plan from last year - when McCain was still denying that the economy was in trouble.

So Corzine's budget leaves some things to be desired - that's life when you have $4 billion less in revenue.  But before any more NJ republican jackholes follow their national brethren and point fingers, they should realize that not having any credible solutions - let alone any solutions at all - are a sure fire way to not be taken seriously.