What Happened to Democracy.

I am generally in favor of consolidation of services where it results in tax savings but a recent editorial in the Asbury Park Press really bugs me. They called on Allenhurst to reject reforming its own police department and instead merge with a neighboring town.

Now from what I read the majority of people in Allenhurst do not want that. So why should consolidation be rammed down their throat? If the majority are willing to pay more taxes to get what they perceive as better services why shouldn't, they be permitted to do that. If the minority does not like it they have the option to move. I would really appreciate a response from somebody from the APP. Please defend that position.

This issue is also present with schools. The new SUPER County Superintendents (and I am not yet sure of the mechanics of this I do not think anyone is) is supposed to be able to push school districts towards consolidation. If I live in a town with a great education system and next door is a poorly run school district why should I have to merge with the poorer (not necessarily in $ ) school district and wind up in a larger mediocre district. If the majority in the first town are willing to pay extra taxes for superior schools why should they be strong armed to merge?

Another example of this anti-democratic movement is the law that goes into effect this year that requires if a school district seeks to exceed the state mandated cap with a second question it has to pass with a super majority of 60%. Now no other budget in the state even gets voted on. Voting on the budget is a good idea. We should vote on the State budget every year. I wonder how often that would pass. I however have a real problem with super majorities. Why is not 51% good enough. It is good enough to elect our Governor or President. Why isn't it good enough for a budget?

In a desperate attempt to lower property taxes without addressing the root causes of the problem we are throwing a little thing called democracy out the window.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

So much to blog yet so little time. A few times I have wanted to whip up a post but the Holiday Season has been keeping me busy. Also, quite frankly I just do not feel like being argumentative and combative around now. I even had an idea for a Santa naughty and nice list for Monmouth County politicians (guess which is longer) but I just couldn't bring myself to do it [BTW feel free to use that idea ;) ]. So I have decided to give in and concentrate on enjoying this most magical time of year. Blogging is suspended for the Holidays. Let us all focus on the important things, God, family, and let us not forget to extend a hand to those less fortunate.

I would like to leave you all with one thought. I am sure most of you have seen this but it is something that always brings a tear to my eye. The answer to a little girl who asks if there really is a Santa Clause is as meaningful today as it was in 1897.

Dear Editor,I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to have men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive of imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest mean, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

THE MONMOUTH BULLMOOSE WISHES YOU A

MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

BYLAWS!!

Huzzah for the Republican and Democrat women who want to force the party bosses to adopt bylaws.

I urge everyone to contact their legislators and demand that they get behind this legislation. In particular Monmouth County residents should contact Sean Kean, Dave Ribble, Pat Angelini, Jennifer Beck, Declan O'Scanlon Carolyn Cassagrande and Joseph Kyrillos.
Make them take a public stand on this one. It is the right thing to do.

In the full article in the paper State Republican Chairman Tom (Party Boss) Wilson stated "It is no more appropriate that they do that than they involve themselves in how a Little League or a chamber of commerce operates" NOTE to Wilson. Those groups are required to have bylaws.

Parties operating in a democracy should act democratic not like a dictatorship..

AND THE WINNER IS.....

Well the results are in. As you recall we were running a contest to see which elected official could come up with the best idea to cut spending. Would you believe it. The winner is...............

NO ONE.

That's right I did not get one idea submitted. What is wrong with these politicians. I mean the passed up an opportunity to reach a vast readership of at least 50 people with their most excellent idea to cut spending.
How could they possibly resist wasting their time submitting their ideas.

I can only conclude that there is no politician in Monmouth County who has an idea on how to cut spending.

Being the magnanimous blogger that i am I am going to assist these hapless elected idiots and expand the contest.

The deadline is now extended until December 10th and it is open to everyone.

This way our elected leaders will be able to tap into the collective intelligence of my vast readership and use their
most awesome ideas to actually cut spending! This is an unprecedented opportunity.

So to all my readers I say Good Luck. ;)