QoTD: Tick Tock Edition

really good point: Christie lawless (4.00 / 2)

This is another example of Christie arrogance and lawlessness.

This particular example reminds me of Bush signing statements - when Congresss passed laws he didn't like, he would simply issue a Signing Statement that said he reserved his right as Commander in Chief (aka "The Decider") to select which provisions to comply with.

Chrisite has abused executive authority so many times already - he is now moving from executive orders to just plain ignoring legislative requirements.

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by: Winston Smith @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 14:26:14 PM UTC

Everything Christie will do (4.00 / 2)

will remind you of Bush. Or, more precisely, Rove. Just sayin'...

As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.

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by: Jersey Shore John @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 15:17:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Do you disagree? (0.00 / 0)

that there are parallels between Chrisitie and Bush's views and use use of executive authority?

Be specific.

And read some of my stuff on Jersey Shore, John!.

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by: Winston Smith @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 15:28:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No. I don't disagree. (0.00 / 0)

As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.

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by: Jersey Shore John @ Sun May 30, 2010 at 11:46:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly right. (0.00 / 0)

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 20:04:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Contact the Gov. or Commissioner (4.00 / 1)

Below is a sample letter prepared in part by the Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey. You can use it to contact the Governor or Commissioner.  

Sample Message
Dear Governor Christie / Commissioner Alaigh,
 
As a voter in New Jersey, I was thrilled in January when the the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was enacted .  This important legislation will help relieve the suffering of seriously ill New Jerseyans whose symptoms are not alleviated by currently available medications.

I strongly disapprove of any effort to postpone this program.  Please implement this important piece of health care legislation without delay.  People with serious illnesses and in severe pain need access to this medication now.

Medical research has shown that marijuana can relieve symptoms such as nausea, pain, muscle spasms and wasting.  Thirteen states in addition to New Jersey have shown the compassion and common sense to allow seriously ill patients access to medical marijuana.  The time has come for New Jersey to implement this Act.  Patients can wait no longer!
 
The legislation is supported by the Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey, the New Jersey State Nurses Association; the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians; the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; the New Jersey League for Nursing; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Southern NJ and Northern NJ chapters; and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey.
 
Polling shows that 86 percent of New Jersey voters support allowing access to medical marijuana.  I am one of them.  I support the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act and urge you to implement this important law on July 18th as planned. Thank you for your dedication to relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for seriously ill New Jerseyans.
 
Sincerely,
Your First and Last Name
 
Contact Governor Christie here: http://www.nj.gov/governor/con... (Choose "Health & Senior Services" as your e-mail topic)
 
Contact Commissioner Alaigh here: http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin...
 

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 14:48:34 PM UTC

Why the stonewalling (0.00 / 0)

and what happens next?

The law is supposed to go into effect in July (I read possibly October if there were administrative  constraints).

But from what I've read in the papers, the Christie administration has done nothing to implement the statute.

So does he win by delaying?  I don't see what the legislature can do to make him speed up the process.

Of course the government could be shut down in July, so it might not matter.

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by: SmartyJones @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 15:38:15 PM UTC

Tick tock link (0.00 / 0)

http://bluejersey.com/diary/15...

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 15:46:24 PM UTC

Link fixed. (0.00 / 0)

Thanks (and ... whoops!).

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 20:10:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

More of this to come (0.00 / 0)

Christie has bigger fish to fry than this cannabis program.  He is not an enthusiast, but I don't think he is deliberately out to sabotage it.  The Department of Health has failed to prioritize the implementation and has been moving slowly. With concerted effort they still should be able to make the deadline. Letters to the commissioner and governor requesting timely implemention help. And staff members in the department are supportive.

What we are witnessing is the result of Christie's desire to shrink government. All of the departments and agencies have cuts in budget and personnel.  Welcome to "Christie's World,"  where government does less and does it slower.  More of this to come.


"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 17:50:31 PM UTC

Letters (0.00 / 0)

I agree with you that letters help, and the one you posted above is great.

I also agree that Christie probably doesn't want to sabotage the law.

But for some reason I just don't think he cares that people are concerned with the timely implementation of the bill.

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by: SmartyJones @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 21:00:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Get in line and wait (0.00 / 0)

I agree. Our governor seems to care for the concerns of millionaires, but for others not so much. He feels urgency only for "less spending, less taxes, and less government."  For the most vulnerable, and particularly for those who find that cannabis can relieve symptoms and pain, his message is "get in line and wait."

Someone more compassionate or concerned about the welfare of his constituents might have said somethig like, "I realize the urgency and have instructed the Department of Health to redouble its efforts."  

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Sat May 29, 2010 at 23:43:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]