NJ Under Christie: "We're Falling Behind"

And so it begins:



For all those reformy types who say that we have high unemployment because of our educational failings, answer me this:

How is it that New Jersey, one of the highest achieving states in education, has one of the highest unemployment rates? Our jobless recovery here has many causes, but our public education system is clearly not one of them.

The hard fact is that Chris Christie has been an awful governor. He told us that cutting taxes on the wealthy, giving away scads of tax breaks for corporate interests, and neglecting our infrastructure and education priorities would lead to economic growth and job creation. It hasn't. I understand a governor can only do so much, but Chris Christie has done all he can to make matters worse for the middle class in our state.

Further, Christie's used teachers as scapegoats to dodge blame for his many, many failings. He has personally insulted teachers - not just their union, but teachers themselves - in an attempt to put the blame for New Jersey's appalling inequality and anemic economic growth on our public school system. His cynical attempt to tie the misfortunes of New Jersey around the necks of educators has demoralized us all. I remain convinced that the damage Chris Christie has done to the noble profession of teaching will be felt for years to come.

To my loyal teacher and parent readership: I know some of you don't know Barbara Buono and need to learn more. Fair enough; we all need to get to know the Senator over the next few months.

But I also know some of you are thinking about voting for Christie in the fall. Fair warning: I consider my primary responsibility over the next several months to get you to change your mind and vote this incompetent, bullying blowhard out of office.

We simply can't afford to have this blustering, inept hypocrite - a man with a proven record of abject failure - running this state anymore. Like his mentor, he has shown in his first term that he is simply not up to the job; let's not make the mistake of giving him a second chance.

Been there, done that...