| By Stephen Yellin
In my last diary (on New Jersey's 39th legislative district), I briefly discussed how New Jersey has the potential to be what Wisconsin was under "Fighting Bob" LaFollette 100 years ago - a progressive laboratory for the United States. To do this will require in part the election of more Democratic and progressive leaders to serve in both the state legislature in Trenton and on the county and municipal levels. However, there is another factor apart from elections that can make a state truly progressive: the support of the public for a progressive vision for their state and country. LaFollette introduced the concept of the initiative, the referendum and the recall to Wisconsin, and some states still follow that legacy. Now, New Jersey's Democratic leaders are trying to make New Jersey a progressive bastion as well - through a ballot referendum this November on Stem Cell Research.
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Most Americans will agree that scientific progress should not be pushed aside in the name of dogma. Sadly, President Bush does not agree, and so Stem Cell legislation is (for now) dead on the national level. However, individual states can and ought to do what they can to promote the potential for life-saving cures and vaccines that research would provide. New Jersey's legislature, led by Governor Jon Corzine, State Senate President (and former Governor) Richard Codey and Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts has placed before the voters on November 6th this question: "Will we lead or Follow?"
To lead in this important research would not only be a source of pride for New Jersey, but also a source of new jobs and employers for a financially beleaguered state. Fully funding the stem cell program (as a successful referendum would allow) could, according to Rutgers University Professor Joseph Seneca create 20,000 jobs, produce $100 million in revenue and produce greater economic activity in the areas where these industries would rise up. In short, not only would developing a stem cell research field in New Jersey be good as a progressive ideal, but it would be great for the New Jersey economy as well.
I believe Governor Codey puts it best in the following Op-Ed that recently appeared in a number of New Jersey papers. He writes, in part:
"...Over the past year, we have ushered through two initiatives that will fund construction of the New Jersey Stem Cell Institute and provide the long-term research funding scientists need to go to work on stem cell therapies. This institute will be the center of activity where hope translates into real therapies - a place that will attract the best scientists, serve as a hub for research and clinical trials, shine as a beacon for patients, and offer the best shot at finding cures. The long-term funding will provide grants to qualified research applicants to pursue all forms of stem cell research - adult, embryonic, and placental -with the strictest scientific and ethical oversight possible. However, this funding is contingent upon the crucial support of voters this November...
...Recent reports show that stem cells may be the key to curing the most obstinate and feared disease in generations - cancer. This new breakthrough only adds to the promise stem cells have already shown to treat conditions such as spinal cord injuries, diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
For millions of people around the world, stem cell research offers the possibility of a vastly improved quality of life. For these people and their families, the time to invest has to be now. So when voters head to the ballot box on November 6, their support for a bond referendum to provide long-term stem cell research funding will be crucial. In five or ten years, New Jersey will be remembered by how we handle this moment. Did we lead or did we follow?"
I urge all New Jerseyans not only to vote in favor of the Stem Cell referendum, but to pay close attention to what candidates support this vital research. With the elections coming up on November 6th for the State Senate and Assembly, we can choose to elect and re-elect progressive leaders who can guide New Jersey forward towards a better state - or we can stick with Republican obstructionists who are impeding progress in our state. The choice is ours. |
