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Don't Worry - We'll Be Nice

by: carolh

Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 06:03:59 PM EDT

( - promoted by Juan Melli)

To Joe Ferriero, organized democratic protest = intimidation and legalized bribery = democracy. The jokes almost write themselves. Promoted from the diaries -- Juan

Well, it's official. The MSM thinks we have an actual "army" of Democratic Grassroots activists against Pay to Play. Good.

The funny thing is it is really more like - "A Word to the Wise is Sufficient". There is such excellent communication between our Legislators in the 37th District and our voters, and a genuine dialog between the rank and file Dems and the LD37th team - that news travels at light speed. That's all. When an internet savvy activist simply hears what is going on in their name - they are used to logging on, plugging in, and mobilizing others who care what their party is up to and need to know. Blackberries and text messages are even faster than the internet. There is no ordering around, there is only communication.

I'm going to be standing outside 50 Main street as it is my right to do to express my displeasure at the actions of my Party Chairman and the BCDO attorney. If all the friends I have made since the Dean campaign and on Blue Jersey here feel like standing out there with me, I won't turn them away. We'll be nice but we won't be silent.

I am not trying to intimidate my fellow Committee members, I am trying to awaken their consciences. I am trying to free the County Employees who can't speak up. I don't think they are bad people. I think they are terrified to rock the boat. That's why I'm happy to do it for them.

carolh :: Don't Worry - We'll Be Nice

Here is what Senator Loretta Weinberg had to say in her response to the article by Charles Stile in the Record:

Dear Editor:
First, a small correction to Charles Stile's column in today's Record. The "grassroots" of our party do not make up "my army" - or anyone else's for that matter. These are people who have a passionate belief in a set of values about how they wish their political leaders to act. In fact, they do not "belong" to me - but I am one of them!
Bill Maer's quotes in the same article did make me chuckle. This paid BCDO flack says folks coming out to express their feelings to THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS would be "INTIMIDATING"! The BCDO Executive Board is made up of our ELECTED Governor, County Executive, Congressman, Senators, Assemblymembers, Freeholders and others. The rest of the appointments are mostly County employees who often whisper to me. I want to speak - "but, I have a County job". So if Mr. Maer would like to have a debate about "intimidation", I'd be glad to take him on.
If "grassroots" will intimidate elected officials, perhaps they don't belong in their positions. Our Governor has expressed his opinion. Assemblymembers Gordon Johnson and Valerie Huttle and I have stated how we feel about this bad move.
I know we have good, honest and hardworking elected officials and candidates representing our Bergen Democratic party. Let's stand up together on this one!
Loretta Weinberg
Senator, District 37

So, either you're with us, or you're for Pay-To-Play. What's it gonna be, fellow Committee Members?

Tags: protest, Gordon Johnson, Valerie Huttle, Loretta Weinberg, Joe Ferriero, pay to play, (All Tags)

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Don't Worry - We'll Be Nice | 6 comments

the Constitution anyone? (4.00 / 1)

Let us not forget that issue to be decided is not support "pay-to-play" or oppose it. This issue tonight is whether or not to ask a Court of law to decide whether or not NJ's "pay-to-play" laws, which restrict free speech, violate the Constitution of the Unites States, which many of us have taken oaths to defend.

If, in fact, the laws do violate the Constitution, then it is, in fact, the "reformers" who are on the side of illegality and suppression. If the laws are legitimate, then I am certain the BCDO will continue to comply with them as it has done from the beginning.

by: Bergendem @ Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 14:27:35 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Money only equals "free speech" (0.00 / 0)

when you throw it around to gain access to our elected officials. I don't violate Pay to Play laws as an engineer, yet you Bergen Boys think I have way too much free speech. You have been trying to shut me up for nearly two years now.

Loretta Valerie and Gordon listen to ALL their constituents - not just the ones who monetarily support their campaigns. Their supporters have plenty of Free Speech and money doesn't have damn thing to do with it.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 14:43:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Question for you. (0.00 / 0)

What is wrong with EARNING a bid contract instead of BUYING a no-bid one with Pay-To-Play?

In business, the cream usually rises to the top on its own. If you are a good honest engineer, architect, attorney, or any other skilled professional, clients come to YOU. People practically throw work at you. You have to turn it away.

At the risk of being flip about this - it reminds me of the joke - what kind of bass player is home on a Friday nite? - A bad one. Who needs to grease palms to get no-bid contracts? Folks I wouldn't want to hire for MY borough.

Or what do you call a drummer without a girlfriend? Homeless.
What do you call a crooked contractor who can't buy off a politician? Out of business.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 15:00:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

whoa Nelly! (4.00 / 1)

I'd be careful about throwing around allegations of corruption. Just because a contractor supported a candidate's campaign or otherwise became involved in the political process does not make the individual corrupt. Such allegations are unfair and potentially libelous.

by: Bergendem @ Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 15:10:03 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Boy you are a litigious bunch (0.00 / 0)

But then, you are working for Pay to Play ATTORNEYS aren't you. And you want to waste the money of people who honestly contributed to the BCDO for a ill conceived lawsuit to overthrow the will of the Democratic voters of NJ who want a level playing field in all matters of government.

You're pretty thin-skinned too. Looking at a bunch of Democratic activists as if they were going to beat you up, when all they want is for you to listen to reason. Free speech only works for you when it is yours.

See you at 5 pm :) I'll be the polite one holding a sign - lets have a conversation face to face - what do you say? I don't bite.

One Vote. Yours. It really does matter.

by: carolh @ Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 16:49:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Contractors should be free (4.00 / 1)

to contribute to local politicians. They just shouldn't get contracts from that municipality if they do so.

Should a judge preside over a case involving someone who contributes to that judge's campaign? Of course not! That would be a clear conflict of interest.

So why is it that developers should be allowed to get government contracts from people they give large sums of money to?

The BCDO is on the losing side of this argument -- legally, politically, morally. This legal action will be an embarrassment to the Democratic Party and Joe Ferriero should be stripped of his leadership position immediately.

by: Moxie Sebright @ Mon Sep 10, 2007 at 16:51:21 PM UTC

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Don't Worry - We'll Be Nice | 6 comments