| By Stephen Yellin
Just yesterday I wrote about New Jersey's upcoming referendum on Stem-Cell research, and why the proposal is an excellent one for New Jersey both economically and as a step in a progressive direction for the state. But while the voters of New Jersey will have their say on November 6th on the issue, they'll also have their say on 40 legislative districts across the Garden State. One of the most competitive ones that will be decided is one I have covered extensively before - New Jersey's 39th Legislative district, located in Bergen County. And one of the biggest opposition leaders in Trenton to the Stem-Cell referendum is Gerald "Gerry" Cardinale, the GOP's State Senator in NJ-39. Think Mitch McConnell as a purely New Jersey-style legislator, and you've got Cardinale. And like Mitch McConnell, Gerry Cardinale must be defeated.
Click here to learn more about his opponent |
| Cardinale's record on stem-cell research is rather straightforward - he's against it. "There are some people who think the embryo is a person, and for them killing that embryo, for whatever good purpose, is just not something we have a right to do," he said back in 2002, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. This is the George Bush position on a smaller stage, and we know the flaws behind Dubya's argument and the potential for embryonic stem cell research that exists.
And while Cardinale, a dentist by trade is probably smarter than the average Republican legislator, that hasn't stopped him from voting on the wrong side of science and its potential for medical breakthroughs in the legislature. He's voted against authorizing New Jersey to build a stem cell research center worth $150 million (taken from cigarette tax revenue) in 2005, and has voted against all three recent state budgets, which included an additional $16.5 million in research funding for the center.
Such a record is not one to be proud of, and choosing conservative dogma over scientific progress and health benefits for the sick and disabled is not something his district ought to be proud of either. A well-educated, affluent district like NJ-39 whose residents (like most of the state) strongly support causes like stem-cell research does not deserve to have a State Senator in Trenton consistently voting and speaking out against such issues. They deserve to have a State Senator who can be a voice for them in Trenton. They deserve Joe Ariyan, the Democrat running against Cardinale on November 6th.
Joe strongly supports stem-cell research, both for personal and scientific reasons. This is where he stands:
"Our State Senator must do all he can for the betterment of our health and welfare. I am a passionate believer that embryonic stem cell research is a God given opportunity - an opportunity that could allow doctors to heal sick children, mend the damaged bodies of our soldiers returning from war and improve the quality of lives of our senior citizens. The use of embryonic stem cells in research is not abortion; however, it is a "right-to-life" issue. It is the right of those inflicted with disease and disability to have the best life modern medicine and science can provide. Yet, this right is being denied. Those who have failed to support funding for this research, including my opponent, fail to recognize the ramifications of such inaction. Disease does not discriminate. We all must do our small part to help one another. For our State Senator, that means supporting funding at the State level for this critically necessary research. Only by funding the cutting-edge research now, will scientists be able to reveal less controversial cures in the future."
If you agree with Joe, and if you agree that replacing Gerry Cardinale with Joe Ariyan would be good for New Jersey, then go to Voice for 39 and see what you can do to help Joe and his running mates (Esther Fletcher and Carl Manna, running for the State Assembly). You'll be glad you did.
(Note: District 39 consists of 28 towns in Bergen County, mostly in its northern parts. If you think you or people you know live in that area, this article's for you) |
