Democrat Corruption List

Corruption . . . I’m sure there is enough to go around, but hey if the liberal Newspapers can have one sided slanted editorials, what the heck this is my page.

Congressional Democrats swept into power in 2006 after a steady drumbeat of attacks against Republicans for allowing a systemic “culture of corruption” to define their majority. It seems times have changed . . . for the worse.

Raymond Lederer (Democrat) U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. Implicated in the Abscam sting – convicted of bribery and sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000.

Harrison Arlington Williams, Jr. (Democrat) U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Allegedly accepted an 18% interest in a titanium mine. Convicted of nine counts of bribery, conspiracy, receiving an unlawful gratuity, conflict of interest, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Sentenced to three years in prison and fined $50,000.

Cornelius Edward Gallagher (Democrat) U.S. Representative New Jersey; Indicted on federal charges of income tax evasion, conspiracy, and perjury.

Frank Thompson, Jr. (Democrat) U.S. Representative from New Jersey. Implicated in the Abscam sting, convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. Sentenced to three years in prison.

Michael Joseph Myers (Democrat) U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. Implicated in the Abscam sting – convicted of bribery and conspiracy; sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000; expelled from the House of Representatives.

John Michael Murphy (Democrat) U.S. Representative from New York. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Convicted of conspiracy, conflict of interest, and accepting an illegal gratuity. Sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000.

John Wilson Jenrette, Jr (Democrat) U.S. Representative from South Carolina. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges and sentenced to prison.

Sammy Rivera (Democrat) Mayor, Passaic NJ; indicted and arrested on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for agreeing to direct municipal contracts to an insurance broker.

Alfred E. Steele (Democrat) General Assembly, NJ; arrested by the FBI in a Federal corruption probe for accepted $14,000 in bribes to steer insurance brokers new business from Newark, Orange, Passaic and Paterson, where he allegedly boasted that he could secure the business as he "had five votes on the City Council.

Mims Hackett (Democrat) NJ Assembly and City of Orange NJ Mayor; arrested by the FBI in a Federal corruption probe The indictment alleged that Hackett accepted $5,000 in bribes for his efforts to steer insurance business from the City of Orange, with an additional $25,000 to be accepted if the firm received the insurance business it sought.

Marcellus Jackson (Democrat) Passaic City Councilman: received 25 month sentence, a fine of $15,000 and three years of supervised probation for taking cash bribes totaling around $26,000 while serving on the city council.

Angelo Errichetti (Democrat) New Jersey State Senator; sentenced to six years in prison and fined $40,000 for his involvement in Abscam.

Robert Torricelli (Democrat) withdrew from the 2002 NJ Senate race with less than 30 days before the election because of controversy over personal gifts he took from a major campaign donor and questions about campaign donations from 1996. Censured by the Senate Ethics Committee for his relationship with Korean-American businessman David Chang, a Korean-American businessman who had given Torricelli tens of thousands of dollars in gifts, cash and appliances. Chang served a federal prison sentence for making illegal campaign contributions to Torricelli’s 1996 campaign.

Wayne R. Bryant (Democrat) State Senate NJ; sentenced to four years in federal prison convicted of bribery and fraud. Indicted on corruption charges for his alleged involvement in funneling millions to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in exchange for a no-show job to boost his pension. In exchange, of steering state money to the school.

New Jersey Governor James McGreevey resigned his office and publically admitted his relationship with his crony/lover Golan Cipel who resigned from a $100,000/yr job created by McGreevey.

William Jefferson Clinton was barred from practicing law in his home state after being impeached. He was not tried as prescribed in the Constitution.

Sandy Berger (Democrat) National Security Advisor during the Clinton Administration became the focus of a criminal investigation; fined $50,000 for illegally removing highly classified terrorism documents and handwritten notes from the National Archives during preparations for the Sept. 11 commission hearings.

Hazel O’Leary (Democrat) Secretary of Energy during the Clinton Administration ; O’Leary took trips all over the world as Secretary with as many 50 staff members and at times rented a plane, which was used by Madonna during her concert tours.

Neil Goldschmidt (Democrat) Oregon governor, admitted to having an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old teenager while he was serving as Mayor of Portland.

Barney Frank (Democrat) U.S. Representative admitted having paid a male prostitute, for sex and subsequently hiring him as his personal assistant, while he also used the congressman’s Washington apartment for prostitution.

Jerry Springer (Democrat) resigned from Cincinnati City Council in 1974 after admitting to paying a prostitute with a personal check, found in a police raid on a massage parlor.

Melvin Jay Reynolds (Democrat) U.S. Representative from Illinois convicted on sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice charges and sentenced to five years in prison.

Edward Kennedy (Democrat) U. S. Senator from Massachusetts. Who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, after his car plunged off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island killing passenger Mary Jo Kopechne.

The DNC – The Federal Election Commission imposed $719,000 in fines against participants in the 1996 Democratic Party fundraising scandals involving contributions from China, Korea and other foreign sources. The Federal Election commission said it decided to drop cases against contributors of more than $3 million in illegal DNC contribution because the respondents left the country or the corporations were defunct.

Daniel David Rostenkowski ( Democrat ) U.S. Illinois Representative ; Indicted on 17 felony charges- pleaded guilty to two counts of misuse of public funds and sentenced to seventeen months in federal prison.

Charles Coles Diggs, Jr. (Democrat) U.S. Michigan Representative; convicted on eleven counts of mail fraud and filing false payroll forms- sentenced to three years in prison.

George Rogers (Democrat) Massachusetts State Senate; convicted of bribery in 1978, sentenced to two years in prison.

Don Siegelman (Democrat Governor Alabama) indicted in a bid-rigging scheme involving a maternity-care program. Accused along with his former chief of staff of helping Tuscaloosa physician Phillip Bobo rig bids. Accused of moving $550,000 from the state education budget to the State Fire College in Tuscaloosa so Bobo could use the money to pay off a competitor for a state contract for maternity care.

James C. Green (Democrat) North Carolina State House of Representatives. Acquitted of accepting a bribe from an undercover FBI agent, but then convicted of tax evasion.
Frederick Richmond (Democrat) U.S. Representative New York; Arrested in Washington, D.C., for soliciting sex from a minor and from an undercover police officer – pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Pleaded guilty to tax evasion, marijuana possession, and improper payments to a federal employee.

Alcee Lamar Hastings (Democrat) U.S. Representative Florida; Impeached and removed from office as federal judge over bribery charges.

Marion Barry (Democrat) Mayor Washington, D.C.; convicted of cocaine possession after being caught on videotape smoking crack cocaine. Sentenced to six months in prison.

Mario Biaggi (Democrat) U.S. Representative New York; Indicted on federal charges that he had accepted bribes in return for influence on federal contracts. Convicted of obstructing justice and accepting illegal gratuities. Tried on federal racketeering charges and convicted on 15 felony counts.

Lee Alexander (Democrat) Mayor of Syracuse, N.Y; indicted over a $1.5 million kickback scandal. Pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax evasion charges. Served six years in prison.

Mary Rose Oakar (Democrat) U.S. Representative from Ohio; Pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of funneling $16,000 through fake donors.
David Giles (Democrat) candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington. Convicted of child rape.

Gary Siplin (Democrat) Florida State Senator; found guilty of third-degree grand theft of $5,000 or more, a felony, and using services of employees for his candidacy.

Edward Mezvinsky (Democrat) U.S. Representative Iowa; Indicted on 56 federal fraud charges.

Lena Swanson (Democrat) Washington State Senate.; Pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting unlawful payments from veterans and former prisoners of war.

Abraham J. Hirschfeld (Democrat) NY candidate in Democratic primary for U.S. Senator Offered Paula Jones $1 million to drop her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton. Convicted in 2000 of trying to hire a hit man to kill his business partner.

Henry Cisneros (Democrat) U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of lying to the FBI.

James A. Traficant Jr. (Democrat) House of Representatives Ohio. Expelled from Congress after being convicted of corruption charges. Sentenced today to eight years in prison for accepting bribes and kickbacks.

John Doug Hays (Democrat) Kentucky State Senate: Found guilty of mail fraud for submitting false campaign reports stemming from an unsuccessful run for judge. Six months in prison followed by six months of home confinement and three years of probation.

Henry J. Cianfrani (Democrat) Pennsylvania State Senate; Convicted on federal charges of racketeering and mail fraud for padding his Senate payroll. Sentenced to five years in federal prison.

David Hall (Democrat) Governor of Oklahoma; Indicted on extortion and conspiracy charges. Convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.

John A. Celona (Democrat) Rhode Island state senator; charged with the three counts of mail fraud. For defrauding the state and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars from CVS Corp. and others while serving in the legislature. Celona agreed to plead guilty to taking money from the CVS pharmacy chain and other companies that had interest in legislation. Received five years in federal prison on each of the three counts and a $250,000 fine.

Allan Turner Howe (Democrat) U.S. Representative Utah; Arrested for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute.

Jerry Cosentino (Democrat) Illinois State Treasurer; Pleaded guilty to bank fraud – fined $5,000 and sentenced to nine months home confinement.

Joseph Waggonner Jr. (Democrat) U.S. Representative Louisiana; Arrested in Washington, D.C. for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute

Albert G. Bustamante (Democrat) U.S. Representative Texas; Convicted on racketeering and bribery charges and sentenced to prison.

Lawrence Jack Smith (Democrat) U.S. Representative from Florida. Sentenced to three months in federal prison for tax evasion.

David Lee Walters (Democrat) Governor of Oklahoma; Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election law violation.

James Guy Tucker, Jr. (Democrat) Arkansas Governor; Resigned after conviction on federal fraud charges as part of the Whitewater investigation.

Walter Rayford Tucker (Democrat) Compton, California Mayor and U.S. Representative California; Sentenced to 27 months in prison for extortion and tax evasion.

William McCuen (Democrat) Secretary of State Arkansas; Admitted accepting kickbacks from two supporters he gave jobs, and not paying taxes on the money. Admitted to conspiring with a political consultant to split $53,560 embezzled from the state in a sham transaction. He was indicted on corruption charges. Pleaded guilty to felony counts tax evasion and accepting a kickback. Sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Walter Fauntroy (Democrat) Delegate to U.S. Congress District of Columbia; Charged in federal court with making false statements on financial disclosure forms. Pleaded guilty to one felony count and sentenced to probation.

Carroll Hubbard, Jr. (Democrat) Kentucky State Senate and U.S. Representative from Kentucky; pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Federal Elections Commission and to theft of government property; served two years in prison. Involved in the "Rubbergate" House banking scandal.

Joseph Kolter (Democrat) State House of Representatives and U.S. Representative Pennsylvania; Indicted by a Federal grand jury on five felony charges of embezzlement at the U.S. House post office. Pleaded guilty.

Nicholas Mavroules (Democrat) U.S. Representative Massachusetts; Pleaded guilty to charges of tax fraud and accepting gratuities while in office.

Carl Christopher Perkins (Democrat) State House of Representatives and U.S. Representative Kentucky ; Pleaded guilty to bank fraud in connection with the House banking scandal. Perkins wrote overdrafts totaling about $300,000. Pleaded guilty to charges of filing false statements with the Federal Election Commission and false financial disclosure reports. Sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Richard Hanna (Democrat) U.S. Representative California; Received payments of about $200,000 from a Korean businessman in what became known as the “Koreagate” influence buying scandal. Pleaded guilty and sentenced to federal prison.

Daniel Baugh Brewster (Democrat) U.S. Senator Maryland; Indicted on charges of accepting illegal gratuity while in Senate.

Thomas Joseph Dodd (Democrat) U.S. Senator Connecticut; Censured by the Senate for financial improprieties, having diverted $116,000 in campaign and testimonial funds to his own use.

Edward Fretwell Prichard, Jr. (Democrat) Delegate to Democratic National Convention Kentucky; Convicted of vote fraud in federal court in connection with ballot-box stuffing. Served five months in prison.

Guy Hamilton Jones, Sr. (Democrat) State Senate Arkansas; Convicted on federal tax charges and expelled from the Senate.

Otto Kerner, Jr (Democrat) Governor Illinois; while serving as Governor, he and another official made a gain of over $300,000 in a stock deal. Convicted on 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury, and related charges. Sentenced to three years in federal prison and fined $50,000.

George Crockett, Jr. (Democrat) U.S. Representative Michigan; Served four months in federal prison for contempt of court following his defense of a Communist leader on trial for advocating the overthrow of the government.

Mark B. Jimenez (Democrat fundraiser); sentenced to 27 months in prison on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit election financing offenses.

Bobby Lee Rush (Democrat) U.S. Representative Illinois; As a Black Panther, spent six months in prison on a weapons charge.

Bolley ”Bo” Johnson (Democrat); Former Florida House Speaker – received a two-year term for tax evasion.

Roger L. Green (Democrat) Brooklyn Assemblyman; Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for accepting travel reimbursement for trips he did not pay for and was sentenced to fines and probation.

Gloria Davis (Democrat) Bronx assemblywoman; Pleaded guilty to second-degree bribe-taking.

Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) Illinois Governor; corruption, sentenced to 14 years in Federal prison for trying to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Tony Rezko (Democrat) political fundraiser raised money for former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and some cash for President Barack Obama; convicted on corruption charge, for extorting millions of dollars from firms seeking state business or regulatory approval.

Charles Powell Jr (Democratic Party chairman) East St. Louis, Ill; secretly recorded audiotapes Powell was heard talking about paying $5 per vote to get key Democrats elected. Convicted of scheming to buy votes with cash, cigarettes and liquor.

Clarence Norman Jr. (Democrat) leader of one of the largest Democratic Party organizations in the nation, found guilty of soliciting illegal campaign contributions. Convicted of extorting money from judicial candidates in exchange for party support. Found guilty of violating New York's election law and falsifying business records.

Joe Spicuzzo (Democrat) Middlesex County NJ Sheriff and Democrat Party Chairman; bribery and official misconduct. State prosecutors have offered a plea deal of seven years in prison, requiring at least two years before eligible for parole. He would also forfeit his pension, of $58,000 annually.

Sheila A. Dixon (Democrat) Baltimore Mayor; charged  with 12 counts of felony theft, perjury, fraud and misconduct in office. Accused of using $3,400 in gift cards, some donated to her office for distribution to "needy families," to purchase Best Buy electronics and other items for herself and her staff, and recipient of $15,348 in gifts allegedly received from her former boyfriend, prominent city developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, while she was City Council president. If convicted on all charges, the she could be sentenced to 85 years in prison.

Charles Rangel (Democrat) US Representative NY; guilty of 11 of 13 counts of violating House ethics rules, and on December 2, the full House approved a sanction of censure against Rangel.

Rossmoor NJ - Mold Ignored in Senior Communities

Environmental issues can turn a senior’s remaining years, meant to be a time of peace and relax, into a distressing struggle with ongoing illness. With increasing numbers of retired Americans, the risk of this air hazard in senior communities is especially important. 

Individuals with many preexisting health issues, like seniors, need to be aware of the reactions mold spores can trigger. The presence of mold can lead to numerous health impacts on senior residents, including increased allergies, asthma difficulties and even cancer. Because mold spores continually travel throughout the indoor and outdoor air, if a facility has improper ventilation or indoor water leaks, these mold spores can land on these damp spots and reproduce. Furthermore, mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet or even foods. Also, no convenient way exists to rid a home of this threat.

Because of weakened immune systems and an inability to recover quickly, seniors remain at a heightened risk for suffering greatly from mold, making it vital to ensure a senior’s health, happiness and sense of independence.

Small recurring or continuous leaks that are hidden in walls, ceilings or floors present a challenge since mold growth could be extensive before it is detected. Mold can damage or destroy building materials such as the wood or gypsum board in homes.

After selling their beautiful home in Tennessee, my folks moved into Rossmoor retirement Community two years ago to be closer to their kids and remaining family.

They had purchased a home with an enclosed porch. After moving in and noticing a stain on the tile after it rained due to a water leak they called the Association about repairing it.

My folks were told that only the original residence of the ‘Association” was their responsibility and the Mutual was not responsible for any additions.

My folks then hired a roofing contractor to fix and seal the roof. It still leaked and the roofer said it was not the roof; water must be coming from somewhere else. My folks again called the ‘Association Director.’

The Association sent one of their Mutual’s ‘listed contractors’ come and look at it. After looking at it, they were told that it would cost $3200.

The contractor said that the building next door was the cause of the leak. He wanted $1600 to redo the porch roof, and told my folks to pay $1600 to the Association for the repair of the siding. They told my folks, it was because of the porch addition was the reason the siding from the residence next door that caused the leak. The porch is only a 10 x 12; $3200 is a lot of money for a roof that did not need any replacement. My folks did not live there when the porch was added on.

After two years of a leaking every time it rained, nothing was resolved. Being they were told it was their responsibility, my folks finally hired another reputable contractor who repaired the siding of the attached residence that was causing the problem. In repairing the siding they noticed the wood under it was soggy, wet, and rotted. I climbed up into my folk’s attic and was able to push the wood in and out with my finger, as it was so saturated. He mentioned that the wood behind the siding must have been leaking long before the porch addition was added due to the extent of water damage. The contractor repaired the siding and for the last two rains it has not leaked, so it was not the porch roof that was the problem.

The repair was done at a cost considerably lower than the $3200, and my folks submitted the bill to the ‘Association’ to be reimbursed for the repair which was not unreasonable compared to the fee of the Mutual's contractor.

The ‘Association’ said they would sue my folks for touching their property, even though the wood is still rotted underneath, the leak was fixed.

Also, the first ceiling tile I replaced, after I tarred and sealed the roof when they first moved in, had mold on it.

When my dad mentioned the mold, the Association director says she has mold in her closet, she gets it on her shoes and purse, and to just brush it off, it’s no big deal.

My folks are pushing 90, and they should not have to deal with this at this point in their life, all they did was purchase a home and expect that in be in livable condition, or at least have  a pre-existing conditon fixed without the threat of being fined for correcting an ignored problem.

It was at this point that I found out when calling the State Advocate, “Helga”, regarding mold, they said they cannot do anything about mold in the retirement communities because they govern themselves and all retirement communities are the same! If it was a private home and not part of the Association they could do something about it.

Calling Monroe Township Representatives the response wasn’t any better. Monroe Township officials echoed the same sentiments. If you have mold and live in a retirement community, the Association’s laws supersedes the state and local laws on mold.

Basically, anyone who has mold that belongs to a Mutual in any particular Association can mask the problem and sell it to another unsuspecting buyer. By going ahead and taking action to resolve the issue after continued inaction of the ‘Association’, seniors are then told they will be sued.

Whether it is a private residence or a retirement community, mold is a serious health issue. If this were a private residence or business establishment, they would be shut down or told to evacuate the building until the environmental remediation process was completed.

At minimum, either a local or state agency should be able to investigate to see if a potential problem exists. I would like to see our state legislators take action on this issue. How an adult community can sweep a health hazard under the rug even though it affects the health of its residents, wipe their hands clean of any responsibility, and evade state or local jurisdiction, is beyond me.

UPDATE:
After several dizzy spells and a waking up with a non-stop nosebleed my Dad was recently discharged from the hospital.  Coincidence?

Assemblyman John Wisniewski is disingenuous in his remarks about NJ Governor

NJ Assemblyman John Wisniewski is somewhat disingenuous in stating “Gov. Christie was governor for the highest property tax increase in four years last year, all while he twice protected tax breaks for millionaires. In protecting tax cuts for the wealthy, the governor and legislative Republicans denied vital property tax relief for the middle-class homeowners and seniors struggling to keep their homes. New York’s elected officials have come together to do the right thing, and New Jersey Republicans should follow their lead.”

It took the election of a Republican governor to wake up the Democrats?

Years of a Democrat controlled state under James McGreevey and Jon Corzine, a failed “asset monetization” plan, 115 tax increases, an increase in the sales tax, gave us a combined state/local property taxes of $2,372.43 per capita. New Jersey’s combined per capita collections give us the dubious honor of being the highest in the nation. If they were doing such a great job before Christie, there would still be a Democrat governor in Trenton.

New Jersey taxpayers receive less federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid than any other state. Per dollar of federal tax paid in 2005, New Jersey citizens received approximately $0.61 in the way of federal spending, a decline from 1995 when New Jersey received $0.68 per dollar of taxes in federal spending (second lowest). What have the Democrat’s done in all those years to see that we receive our fair share?

Assemblyman Wisniewski and the Democrat legislation was MIA during all that time and are just now worried about tax relief for struggling middle-class homeowners and seniors?

They now have the gall to talk about partisan politics.

Has the Obama Job Market Really Improved?

Before President Obama and the Democrats get too smug about the new unemployment rate it is important to recognize how the numbers lie.

The actual unemployment rate in the United States is in excess of 22%, that’s one in five Americans who are without meaningful labor.

Having added a net of 120,000 new jobs with 315,000 job-seekers falling off the radar and stopped looking for work in November is not a stellar record to go around thumping your upper torso.

In actuality we lost ground and the 8.6% unemployment rate that will be highly touted by the Administration and Congressional Democrats is a fallacy. Going from to 8.6% from 9%, is a gift that looks nice under the tree but is a little disappointing when the wrapping comes off.

It would take about 150,000 new jobs a month just to keep up with population growth, and it is mathematically impossible for the 120,000 created this month to have reduced the U.S. unemployment rate, let alone generate one of the largest one-month declines in history.

What the lower rate really means is that 315,000 people left the workforce, which outnumbered the 278,000 who actually found work.

In a healthy labor market, the number of people working and the labor force would be growing respectively.

Considering this is the Holiday season, it’s a little too early to celebrate as many of these jobs created are only part time positions are seasonal related and will disappear after the first of the year. The word is temporary.

More than 13 million Americans are officially counted as unemployed. Workers who dropped out of the labor market aren’t counted as part of the unemployed because they no longer collect benefits, and therefore are no longer part of the labor force. About one-third, or approximately 3 million, of those who lost their jobs during the recession have recovered or are on their way to recovery.

Only 7 percent of those who lost their jobs were able to find another job that allowed them to maintain the financial situation and lifestyle they had before becoming unemployed. 

In the second quarter of 2011, unemployment claims in Middlesex County, NJ alone, were 35,761. Included in those numbers were 7,000 searching for work that have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and were part of those 35,761 claims. Out of that total 6,632 residents of Middlesex County exhausted all of their unemployment insurance.

The economy will continue to grow at the same pace through the rest of 2011 and all of 2012, indicating that a sustained recovery still hasn’t started, more than two years after the end of the Great Recession.

Even with a job market rebound, the non-recovery recovery continues as those who recently found work will hang on to their money, buying only essentials needed. On the flip side, those of us fortunate enough to have work or not been out of work, last month was a pretty good month.

In 2003 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized job creation as “Far From Enough.” “The slight increase in jobs last month is wonderful news for 57,000 Americans. But the 2.1 million Americans who have been actively looking for work for more than two years … know that it is far from enough.”

In 2004, Sen. Dick Durbin claimed Bush “Created a Climate … Where the Number of Jobs Is Not Growing.” Stating “This President has created a climate in this country where the number of jobs is not growing. It did not have to be that way.”

In 2005, Pelosi called job creation numbers “Anemic.” “Today’s anemic jobs numbers confirm that President Bush has still failed to create a single new private-sector job since he became President.”

And again in 2006, Pelosi claimed Bush policies “favored the privileged few at the expense of America’s working families, claiming “Democrats will restore the Economic Security of America’s working families.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 5.7 million jobs had been created under Bush.

While in 2008 Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid claimed Bush had a “shameful history of losing American jobs.”

In February 2009, Obama pledged that his Stimulus Plan would create 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010. ‘We have begun the essential work of keeping the American dream alive in our time.’

At the end of 2010, 2.8 million jobs were lost, since Obama signed his $787 billion 'Stimulus',. after saying it would create 3.5 million jobs.

Obama had said in 2008, “The Yardstick should be … Am I Creating These Jobs?”

As Pelosi's spewed her tirade of “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs … We will measure our success in that way; and hopefully the American people will, too, in the next election.”

Democrats needed to create 6.3 million jobs in 2010 to meet their own standards.

It is now 2011, the jobs climate is not any better and the outlook does not look any brighter.

Improvement in the economy the job market won’t happen until consumer confidence begins to build. As long as the threat of tax increases with excessive regulations continue being put forward by this administration there will be a hindrance to real growth.

Things may look good on the surface, especially when government cheerleaders push the ‘hope and change’ optimism to unsuspecting kool-aiders around the country. In reality, not much has changed. The unemployment numbers remain abysmal and our economy is teetering on the threshold of a complete collapse.

The Titanic is sinking and the BLS plays on, hoping we won’t notice our socks are getting wet.

Minimum-Wage Hikes Lower Workers’ Prospects

The Times, Saturday, June 9, 2007
by Joe Sinagra

'The following article was written by me in 2007 when running for NJ State Assembly, and published in the Trenton Times.'


The minimum wage is supposed to help those at the lower end of the income scale to make a better living. When the minimum wage rises, in actuality, the exact opposite occurs, resulting in a higher unemployment rate among that same income class. The small businesses that employ them suffer, as well.

With an increase in the minimum wage, the small percentage of people who depend on the minimum hourly rate to live on will fall into a higher tax category and they may lose benefits. Study after study has found that as labor rates rise, job competition heats up, allowing employers to hire workers with better skills.

I do not believe the minimum wage increase has helped anyone – already we are seeing companies laying off workers or closing.

Minimum-wage laws affect ethnic minorities more so than other groups. The unemployment rate for white teens ages 16 and 17 was 17.3 percent in 2005. The same figures for Hispanic and black teens were 25 percent and 40.9 percent, respectively. A rule of thumb established by the Journal of Economic Literature is that a 10 percent increase in a minimum wage leads roughly to a 2 percent hike in teen unemployment – we just had a 40 percent increase. Is it better to have no job at $7.25 an hour or a guaranteed job at $6.15 an hour?

An increase in the minimum wage means that unemployment rates among ethnic minorities and teens will climb higher, giving thousands of currently employed workers a “livable” wage of zero.

Many union contracts have formulas tiered off of the minimum wage. As the minimum wage increase, every union salary level increases, too. The ability of unions to obtain wages above market rate is improved, as the price of competing non-union labor goes higher. Large employers who pay more than the minimum (Wal-Mart being the most recent example) also push for higher minimum wages, making it more difficult for low-wage competitors to keep employees.

As the actual wage increases, so do payroll taxes, unemployment, disability, etc., the “hidden” taxes. Any minimum-wage increase creates a larger burden on employers.

There has been talk of creating a livable wage anywhere from $11 to $16 an hour, along with bringing back jobs to New Jersey. To the contrary, mandatory minimum wage or livable wage increases will force companies to leave the state or the country.

Small businesses account for the bulk of new job growth. Mandating a higher minimum wage means that a small business will either have to let someone go, or not hire the next person who walks through the door. Many small-business owners need a minimum amount of employees to compete against the larger chains. When they are forced to let employees go, they cannot compete. By keeping them, they either absorb costs or lose what little completive edge they have.

When a company is forced to raise its wages, it is also forced to reduce hours, or cut jobs to sustain a profit margin. Higher labor costs tend to replace marginal employees with self-service options or automation. In other words, employers will replace less-skilled employees with machines or reduce services to customers by, for example, automating their telephone receptionists, expecting fast-food diners to bus their own tables an shoppers to scan and bag their own groceries.

A business doesn’t have more money available for payroll because a minimum wage is mandated. As the minimum wage increases, businesses are required to pay their workers more than what they are worth. No one would willingly pay someone $7.25 an hour for a product or service worth $4 and still expect to stay in business. The business would have to lay off some workers to free up enough cash to pay those still on staff. It must either make do with a staff it can afford or go out of business, putting all of the employees out of work and creating more unemployment.

In the absence of minimum wage laws, would employers pay lower than minimum or less? No. Competition in the labor market forces employers to pay the higher wages; many businesses today pay their employees more than the minimum wage. I believe that by eliminating the minimum wage, more job opportunities for the unskilled and minorities will be created and there will be more room for negotiation between employer and employee.

For low-wage earners fortunate enough to survive losing their job, it doesn’t necessarily help them, either.  Employers will react to the higher wages by adjusting other areas of employee compensation, such as health insurance or other benefits.

If small-business owners must face increasing costs, then they must be allowed to form co-ops through which they can purchase low-cost health-care coverage to help offset forced government increases.

When forcing  a business to pay its workers more, the money has to come from somewhere, usually in the form of increased prices for goods and services. Workers who are making more money because of a minimum-wage increase will end up spending more to buy items they need to survive, ending right back where they started. As stated in a recent article, “inflation has eroded the minimum wage’s buying power to the lowest level in about 50 years.”

In the end, as consumer prices continue to rise, so will inflation, and the minimum wage will still be the minimum wage.

Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan sponsors bill putting drunk drivers back behind the wheel

 

After voting in favor of 115 tax increases and his promise to stabilize taxes if he were reelected, one week after winning an election, Assemblyman Diegnan wants to put drunk drivers back on the road.

Over 40% of fatal automobile accidents are alcohol-related. Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents claim 17,000 American lives each year, which is roughly the equivalent of one death every 30 to 45 minutes. Adults who drank too much got behind the wheel of a moving vehicle about 112 million times in 2010.


Allowing a ‘restricted’ driver a second attempt to kill or maim an innocent bystander because they were lucky enough to get stopped before they had the opportunity the first time, is a game of chance waiting for a tragedy.

Instead of dealing with the horrible economy and tax environment he created, Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan has once again displayed how out of touch he is with his constituents.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20111128/NJOPINION0202/311280005/Diegnan-wants-give-drunken-drivers-2nd-chance

College Grads want to wipe away their Student Debt . . . after they graduate!

According to the Home News Tribune Editors, President Obama and Congress must give immediate consideration to recovery packages that provide for billions of dollars in student loan debt forgiveness.

“Look at student loan debt forgiveness as the jump start on the economic engine. By forgiving $70 billion in federal student loans immediately, and dedicating stimulus funding to help pay down tens of... billions more in private lending debt, the government can free billions in graduates’ income that can be expected to be put directly into the economy.. . "

So anyone that wants to sign up for college and get a free education is not responsible for paying off their loans? Those who did not have the means or the funds to attend would receive the brunt of this, if that were to happen, guess who would have a leg up on getting a job? That would mean the lesser educated working class would be out of work, so how about debt forgiveness on their mortgages so they don’t lose their homes? What happens to those who worked their way through college to get an education, are they entitled to a refund?

Having Obamacare forced upon the American public is OK, and forgiving debt on those who had the means and ability to attend college would be OK. Those with an education would be able to afford to pay for the government mandated health care, as those who did not go to college or those who did and dropped out because they had enough sense to realize that had to work to start paying down their debt, won’t be able to make mandated payments.

Anyone receiving an education gaining over $50,000 in debt had better make sure they can get a job in their field earning enough to pay it back, before they continue getting deeper in debt.

The article continues to state “. . . graduates can’t shed their student loans, even in bankruptcy. With fewer well-paying jobs available for new graduates, it can be assumed those degrees are worth a tiny fraction of their cost.” Knowing that . . . why would anyone knowingly continue to go deeper into debt?

Those going to college must realize all that debt they racked up needs to get paid back at some point, or are they oblivious to how it is going to get paid off? Or does the realization for graduates only set in after commencement when the first note becomes due?

At what point does a college student realize that it is impossible to pay back what they owe, halfway through their education or just before they graduate?

Perhaps college consultants need to advise students of going to a less expensive college, or the reality of finding a job in their field of study, and the odds of receiving that position due to the competition upon graduation.

Joe Sinagra says Thank You to All

I would like to thank the voters in the 18^th District, who took a few minutes out of their lives to come out and show their support.

It is almost impossible to repay all the dedicated people who believed in our campaign. The unselfishness of all the volunteers who gave up their days, evenings, weekends to work the phone banks, going door to door, and handing out of literature literally leaves me speechless, many who went above and beyond what was asked of them, there are no words that can express my gratitude, and the many friends and family who have given kind words of comfort, along with countless others. I would also like to mention our Treasurer Andria, who did a great job on keeping the finances in line. I can’t forget our Campaign Manager Mandi, who practically lived at the headquarters from the day she was hired. Many thanks to Rick Rosenberg and Mark Duffy.

I also need to thank Assembly Leader, Alex DeCroce for his overwhelming generosity in donating to our campaign. The State GOP who targeted the 18^th district this year and made this a competitive campaign! Lt. Gov Kim Guadagno for making a stop at Edison’s Campaign Headquarters, and Governor Chris Christie for making a detour in his busy schedule to come to Edison to give our campaign a boost. Their help in helping our base with a three day 72 hour GOTV was a much needed shot of adrenalin that kept our voulunteers focused. My only regret is not that I didn't win, is that once more I am unable to represent those who cast their vote in their belief that I could best represent them.

Considering the 18^th District lost Spotswood and gained Highland Park which has a primarily Democrat voter base, the gauntlet was set from the onset. I believe we had a very successful campaign in spite of the outcome, as the odds were in the favor of the opposition due to redistricting, and they of course will have larger margins of win percentages as their voter base is larger.

I don't believe our opponents won anything other than their own voter base. I doubt that a large majority of Middlesex County Republicans voted  to keep the current status quo. I do believe on the flip side there were many Democrats who voted on the Republican ticket this year, and I find it amusing that our opponents spent a massive amount of funds to win their own voter base.

One commercial accused me of being a Tea Party extremist. Before the Tea Party came into prominence, I have always run as a fiscal conservative.  I don't see how wanting to lower property taxes, putting more disposable income back into the pockets of the taxpayers, and creating jobs by giving business owners the tools needed to expand and grow makes one an extremist. As a matter of record it was because of being a fiscal conservative is the reason the Tea Party supported me. 

We were endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and I was endorsed by the Commerce and Industry of New Jersey (CIANJ) three times in a row. I would think that our opponents record of voting YES to increase our taxes 115 times is a bit extreme, to say the least.

It says something when the arrogance of your opponents who are so sure of winning, won't take the time to debate the issues.

My counterpart on the ticket, Marcia Silva made it a pleasure to run for office this year, a successful attorney, a single mom raising two kids, a centralist on many of the issues. (Many wouldn’t know that by our opponents commercials and attacks.)  Somehow she managed to run, in my book, a household, a job, a successful campaign and still maintain her sanity. 

To finish out the thank you list I certainly can’t forget my wife, who had the patience in putting up with me throughout the season. I think halfway through the campaign she may have started thinking of me as a renter who was using the garage to store political stuff.

There will be other races, who knows, if the support is there in the future, I may have another campaign left in me . . . after I check with the wife of course.

Joe Sinagra & Marcia Silva Assembly Race: Legislative District 18

Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan's view on holding office as an elected official:
"I'm outraged that every two years me and a lot of other people in this state have to put up with this baloney, I find it personally insulting."  ~ Patrick Diegnan (18th District Assemblyman)__________________________________________________________________________

By Matthew Kassel, November 6

Two hopeful Republicans, Marcia Silva and Joseph Sinagra, are working to unseat the Democratic incumbent Assemblymen Peter J. Barnes, III and Patrick J. Diegnan in the heavily Democratic 18th District.

Barnes has served on the Edison City Council for 12 years and was its president for two. He has been in the Assembly since 2007 and currently is serving as Majority Whip. He chairs the Judiciary Committee.

As a lawyer, Barnes handles litigation cases mostly in the state courts in central New Jersey and is the past president of the Middlesex County Bar Association. “I like to think that I came to the table with a lot of experience before I served in the legislature,” he said.

Barnes was endorsed by the Sierra Club and the Service Employees International Union’s New Jersey State Council. To the Assemblyman, the four most important issues in New Jersey are jobs, property taxes, the environment and helping businesses.

“There’s no question that the recession has really affected New Jersey in a really profound way,” he said.

In the budget committee, Barnes focused on funding transit hubs and making cities aware of grants and programs available. He has sponsored bills to entice businesses to enter New Jersey and for capping property taxes.

Diegnan, his running mate, has served in the Assembly since 2002. He chairs the Education Committee and serves as Deputy Speaker and Parliamentarian.

The most important issue to him is education.

“It’s becoming the hot topic in the state, concerning charter schools, vouchers,” he said. “I think there should be community support for charter schools. I don’t support vouchers.”

Diegnan sponsored a bill, which passed the Assembly on a bipartisan basis, to require that charter schools be approved only after a referendum in each municipality affected.

Like his running mate, Diegnan believes another important issue in the state is job creation.

“We really just have to come together and spread economic growth in New Jersey,” he said. “We have to reevaluate our property tax structure; it is just so burdensome.” Diegnan labeled Silva and Sinagra extremists.

“My opponents have publicly stated support for the Tea Party, and that certitude is not healthy for the process,” he said.

But Silva, who is a public defender, denies this charge.

“The other side has tried to align me with the Tea Party and other groups that I’ve never had anything to do with in my life,” she said. “I’m more of a centrist.”

Democratic East Brunswick Mayor David Stahl endorsed Silva in a surprise move in September and Silva said that has helped her chances.

“The people I’ve spoken to door to door have said to me they’d be supporting me because of the mayor’s endorsement,” she said.

Taxes and creating jobs are her big issues.

Silva is optimistic about her chances. “People should vote for me because I’m different, but I’m ordinary,” she said. “I’m the average person, and I’m not a politician, and I will always put the people first.”

Sinagra works for Miele as a facilities manager, has owned and operated several small businesses and served on the Helmetta Borough Council for nine years. He ran unsuccessfully in 2007 and 2009 for the Assembly and was a congressional candidate in 2005.

Although Barnes cites his small business experience to counter his opponents, Sinagra -- along with Silva -- received the Independent Business Federation endorsement early in October. The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey also endorsed Sinagra.

Sinagra’s big issues are taxes, jobs, and the economy.

“I plan to lessen some of the mandates that are placed on business owners and eliminate some of the taxes that place burdens on small businesses, helping them to expand and grow and be able to hire more people,” he said.

Sinagra think he understands the importance of serving others, a quality he feels his opponents do not have.

Said Sinagra, “It seems to me they’re more concerned about holding their own job than representing the people of the state.”

PAT DIEGNAN REALLY NEEDS A VACATION BECAUSE $1.5 MILLION DOESN’T GO AS FAR AS IT USED

By Greg Volpe  -  November 1st, 2011  
18th District Republican candidates Joe Sinagra and Marcia Silva reminded voters that they can wish Pat Diegnan Bon Voyage next week.


Diegnan, who collected more than $1.5 million from eight taxpayer-funded politically-appointed jobs over the last decade when New Jersey lost 156,000 private-sector jobs lamented recently that he didn’t take a vacation this summer.


“I guess $1.5 million doesn’t go as far as it used to if Pat Diegnan had to spend the summer focusing on the many public jobs he holds instead of taking a luxurious vacation,” 18th District Republican Assembly candidate Joe Sinagra said today. “I hope he spent his summer at home learning that drawing multiple public salaries just takes money from people and increases taxes instead of lowering taxes to help the private sector create jobs.”


Sinagra was pointing to answers provided by Diegnan to the Home News Tribune: “Every family has cut back and makes do with less. For example, my wife and I are driving older model cars and we didn’t take a vacation this summer.” Sinagra’s response is posted here: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20111031/NJNEWS10/310310017/Joseph-Sinagra-Republican.

The response from his running mate, Marcia Silva, is posted here:  http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20111031/NJNEWS10/310310016/Marcia-Silva-Republican.
“Too many people in New Jersey do not get vacations from the high taxes and high unemployment that were created by the fiscal policies supported by Trenton Democrats like Pat Diegnan and Peter Barnes,” Silva said. “But if Mr. Diegnan really laments his summer at home, voters, who have given him many paychecks over the years, can send him on a permanent vacation from the Legislature next week.”


Diegnan’s latest financial disclosure form can be viewed here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ethics/FinancialDisclosure/DiegnanP2010.pdf.

###



Contact Info:

Greg Volpe 609 989-7300

.

Diegnan and Barnes Not So Transparent Advertising

"I'm outraged that every two years me and a lot of other people in this state have to put up with this baloney, I find it personally insulting." ~ Patrick Diegnan (18th District Assemblyman)

The TV ads attack my running mate on her salary when she worked at the prosecutor's office . . . what you don’t hear is that Assemblyman Peter Barnes brother Patrick also worked as a prosecutor, making the same salary my running mate previously did before going into private practice . . . and not a word can be heard.

Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan Saves Himself, not Those He Represents

Trying to shake up Buono, GOP State Committee zeroes in on Diegnan in LD18

PolitickerNJ   By Max Pizarro | October 21st, 2011 - 6:44pm   

Political forward observers said it would happen and it just did.


The almost clear, post industrial skies of the Democratic Party-leaning 18^th District filled with a steady, two-week GOP barrage targeting the team of Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D-18).


The heaviest artillery fire – in fact, all of it – landed on Buono’s running mate, Assemblyman Pat Diegnan (D-18), South Plainfield, in the form of five mailers paid for by the Republican State Committee and launched after the ELEC’s 29-day pre-election day deadline.


Its coffers boosted by nationwide barmstorming by Gov. Chris Christie, the GOP sneak attack bombarded Diegnan as a public dime attorney.


“The devastation of the Great Recession was not felt by Pat Diegnan who was paid quite well while many in New Jersey lost their jobs, homes and life savings,” said 18^th District Republican Assembly Candidate Joe Sinagra of Helmetta, irritated by Diegan making $1.5 million since 2000 from public paychecks.


“Pat Diegnan approved 115 tax increases last decade including many such as taxes on payroll, income and sales, which had a direct impact on the businesses that shed jobs,” the Republican challenger added. “If you hear Pat Diegnan talking about creating jobs, be sure to ask whether he’s talking about creating jobs for us, or creating jobs for himself that we’ll pay for.”


A New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) point person and impediment to the GOP governor's charter schools agenda, Diegan brushed off the attack as the handiwork of Tea Party extremists.


“A portion of that is my assembly salary,” said the incumbent Democrat, who currently retains one contract in Spotswood.


“But, look, I’m not embarrassed by that. I’m proud of my public service record. I’m brought of having served in South Plainfield and Millstone, and served with Democratic, Republican and nonpartisan mayors. Believe me, these are not no-show jobs.”


The assemblyman said he doesn’t intend to go negative, but couldn’t help scratching his head over the employment record of one of his rivals: Sinagra running mate Marcia Silva.


“The only jobs Pat Diegnan created are ones that drain tax dollars,” jabbed Silva, a former Assistant Middlesex County prosecutor.


That flabbergasted Diegnan.


“She is the public defender in South River!” exclaimed the incumbent Democrat. “If she thinks it’s improper for me to serve in the assembly, she must think the same about herself.”


The CW here is the state GOP doesn’t want to wound Diegnan so much as rattle top-of-the ticket incumbent Buono, a potential 2013 challenger to Christie.


Although Sinagra ran against Diegnan two years ago and came within 2,000 votes in a roughly 24,000 to 26,000 loss, some sources attribute 2009’s relative closeness to anti-Corzine rage more than anything.


The Democrats say they know anger abides – admit rage might be the better word at this point, and the GOP is definitely working with the idea that the atmosphere may be sufficiently combustible for LD 18 Dem casualties.


In a statement, GOP Campaign Manager Mandi Stirone made sure Buono's and Diegnan’s running mate, Assemblyman Peter Barnes (D-18) didn’t go undinged in making the GOP case.


“Pat Diegnan and Peter Barnes are Trenton politicians who have made life harder for working class families,” Stirone said. “…Joe Sinagra and Marcia Silva are fresh faces with new ideas. They are committed to work across the party aisle to make Middlesex County and New Jersey more affordable again and to create good paying jobs. Joe and Marcia fighting to make sure life in New Jersey is better for their children and grandchildren. They aren’t looking for the next taxpayer funded politically appointed position."


A Republican source told PolitickerNJ.com the intent with the mail is a very real attempt to demolish Diegnan, remove a rumble strip from Christie's education designs and steal an Assembly seat in the process. But most insider sources on both sides still say the Republican's ultimate target here remains Buono, who Democrats say has solid approval numbers in her home district, and who appears focused on using a senate re-election victory as leverage for a statewide run against the governor.

Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan hired his Wife and Daughter to work in his legislative office

Published in the Home News Tribune 11/02/03 - 18th District:  Democrat Patrick Diegnan faces ethic questions after he hired both his wife and daughter to work in his legislative office . . . Diegnan also holds municipal attorney positions in his district.

Can NJ's 18th District Afford to Keep the Status Quo?

Supports Silva, Sinagra for Assembly

It is incredible how our Democratic representatives in the 18th Legislative District are so far out of touch with their constituents and are once again trying to fool them. Just read state Sen. Buono’s news release reacting to Mayor Stahl’s endorsement of Republican Marcia Silva for the Assembly Monday: “Patrick, Peter and I are unshakable partners in the fight for families across Central Jersey”... “We worked to help middle-class families get tax relief by asking millionaires to pay their fair share”... “Reforming education funding”...

Let see how they worked for the middle-class:

? They let the millionaire tax expire.

? They voted for every tax increase that came in front of them during the Corzine and McGreevey years.

? The education reform she is talking about was to give more money to schools with no strings attached (your tax money), in an effort to secure teachers’ votes for the next election, all the while fighting at every level the real reform that Governor Christie proposed.

? The ethics reform proposed by our governor has been sitting on their desks with no action for more than one year.

Where were Barnes, Diegnan and Buono when Corzine, McGreevey and other governors balanced their budgets on the backs of the same people they now claim to fight for?

Is this the kind of representatives you want to re-elect? They don’t deserve it. In this election give a chance to two hardworking newcomers, not career politicians, vote for Marcia Silva and Joe Sinagra for the Assembly.

Miklos Bognar Sr.

EAST BRUNSWICK

DIEGNAN AND BARNES: TWO BIG FS ACCORDING TO INDEPENDENT TAXPAYER ALLIANCE

If taxpayers needed proof beyond their high tax bills that Pat Diegnan and Peter Barnes have failed them in Trenton, the duo failed an independent review conducted by the New Jersey Taxpayer Alliance, 18th District Republican Assembly candidates Joseph Sinagra and Marcia Silva said today.

“The big F’s that Pat Diegnan and Peter Barnes received for their destructive tax-raising, jobs-killing policies should be a prelude to the boot out the door they will get from the taxpayers they failed to represent in Trenton,” Sinagra, the former Helmetta Council President, said. “Pat Diegnan’s policies are so wrong for taxpayers and job creation that he is one of four Assembly members to vote against capping property taxes.

“Pat Diegnan basically told property taxpayers who have the highest bills in the nation that he doesn’t care how high they go,” Sinagra added.

The Taxpayer Alliance rated legislators based on eight critically important votes from the previous session, including, income tax increases, pension reform and property tax cap. Pat Diegnan scored 43 percent; Peter Barnes scored 57 percent.

“The low scores are more than a poor reflection on our opponents, but represent high taxes and job destruction that they have supported in Trenton,” said Silva, a former Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor who is now a successful small business owner.


“The good news is that if voters send low-tax, job-growth candidates like Joe and me to Trenton, we’ll be able to reverse the damage caused by Trenton politicians like Diegnan and Barnes.

The 2011 New Jersey Taxpayers Alliance Legislative Scorecards are available at http://www.njtaxalliance.org/scorecards.html.

SINAGRA AND SILVA: DIEGNAN AND BARNES OPPOSED PENSION REFORM THAT DELIVERED $267M IN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

SOUTH RIVER -- 18TH District Republican Assembly candidates Joseph Sinagra and Marcia Silva called on their opponents, Pat Diegnan and Peter Barnes, to repeat their objections to the historic pension reform now that Governor Christie announced it will deliver $267 million worth of property tax relief this year.


“Assemblyman Diegnan and Barnes were wrong to oppose the pension reform that fixed a long-festering property for taxpayers and public employers that was heightened by their tax and spend policies,” Sinagra said. “I’d like to see them reaffirm their opposition to this historic reform now that it’s delivering $267 million worth of property taxes to homeowners and businesses.


“This is real relief for families and will help enable businesses to create jobs,”Sinagra added.


Governor Christie announced today the total amount of savings enabled by the Legislature’s historic pension reform enacted this summer, which had bipartisan support except for Diegnan and Barnes.


“In the one of the defining votes of their political careers, Diegnan and Barnes voted against taxpayers and public workers, and for more stifling tax bills that destroyed our economy,” Silva said. “Diegnan and Barnes were a road block to reform, but fortunately they were steam rolled.”

“PENPAC ENDORSES NJ 18TH DISTRICT PRO-BUSINESS PRO-JOB ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES MARCIA SILVA and JOE SINAGRA"

The Private Enterprise Political Action Committee (PENPAC) announced its endorsements of pro-business, pro-jobs candidates seeking General Assembly seats in districts throughout New Jersey.

“Our board of trustees was impressed by these candidates. They understand our philosophy and they want to create jobs, lower taxes, eliminate burdensome regulations and rein in government to make New Jersey more competitive,” said Richard Goldberg, chairman of PENPAC, which is affiliated with the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey.

Independent Business Federation picks Joe Sinagra and Marcia Silva over tax-hiking incumbents in NJ's 18th District

Joseph Sinagra and Marcia Silva, 18th District Republican Assembly candidates, received the endorsement of the New Jersey National Federation of Independent Business, yet another sign that the incumbents’ failed tax-hiking policies must be eliminated in order to spur job creation in New Jersey.

“Patrick Diegnan voted to raise taxes by nearly $10 billion over the last decade. Peter Barnes voted for $3.4 billion worth of tax increase, but that’s just because he’s had fewer years to inflict damage on the economy,” Sinagra said. “It’s clear that our opponents have been part of the Trenton Democrat machine, whose tax and spend philosophy placed New Jersey jobs on the endangered species list.

“New Jersey will never be affordable for residents and businesses that create jobs unless we get rid of tax-hikers like our opponents and send Marcia and me to Trenton to implement the responsible fiscal policies our residents deserve and our businesses need to thrive and hire more people,” Sinagra said.

Sinagra, the former Helmetta Council President, and Silva, a former Assistant Middlesex County Prosecutor who is now a successful small business owner, pointed to the 156,000 private-sector jobs lost in New Jersey as proof that the taxing policies supported by their opponents are bad for New Jersey, especially because the state has regained 50,000 private-sector jobs over the past two years when Republican fiscal policies have been enacted.

“As a small business owner, I know how important it is to have a stable financial picture in order to plan, grow and add employees,” Silva said. “I am proud that NFIB is supporting Joe and I because we are committed to reducing government spending to make New Jersey affordable for residents and businesses so that we can continue to replace the private-sector jobs our families need right now.

“The Diegnan-Barnes team was complicit in making tens of thousands of New Jersey jobs disappear,” Silva added. “We will bring those jobs back.”

Diegnan and Barnes and Yet Another Tax Increase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mandi Stirone
September 14, 2011 (732) 238-2418

Diegnan and Barnes and Yet Another Tax Increase

LD 18 Assembly Challenger: Gas Tax Just One of 115 Reasons Incumbent

Assemblymen are Out-of-Touch

HELMETTA – Long-time incumbents Patrick Diegnan and Peter Barnes are so used to raising taxes they don’t have any other ideas for New Jersey, Assembly Candidate Joe Sinagra said today in a statement.

“After over 100 tax increases, they just don’t know when to stop,” Sinagra said. “Peter Barnes has said he supports a gas tax increase. Patrick Diegnan was the primary sponsor of a gas tax increase bill. Does it ever end?”

He emphasized that the gas tax – one of the Trenton Democrats’ favorites -- leaves no person untouched.

“This affects everyone: seniors, families, individuals, small businesses. People want to be able to live and work here. People want to be able to take their children out or go visit friends. Diegnan and Barnes want to make that harder for them. There is no limit to what or who these Trenton drones are willing to tax,” he said.

Singara also highlighted the negative impact a gas tax will have on NJ businesses, “At a time when we face 9% unemployment and ‘ZERO’ job growth, Diegnan and Barnes want to force even more businesses to close their doors. This tax is a JOB KILLER, plain and simple.”

Sinagra added, “The Diegan-Barnes Team have increased payroll taxes, utility taxes and they even increased taxes on health care coverage! Not to mention that their cuts to school aid have driven property taxes through the roof.”

Everyday, people in this state have to cut back to make ends meet and, Sinagra said, it’s time Trenton did the same thing.

“Diegnan and Barnes aren’t willing to make any tough decisions to help our state. Their solution to every problem is to leech more money out of the citizens of New Jersey. It’s no wonder a record amount of residents are leaving our state every year.”

“There comes a point where enough is enough. Let’s stop taxing seniors, families, individuals, and businesses out of our state. Patrick Diegnan and Peter Barnes have sent enough people packing, maybe it’s their turn.”

###

Joe Sinagra is running for state Assembly in the 18th Legislative District which includes Edison, East Brunswick, Helmetta, Highland Park, Metuchen, South Plainfield, and South River.

The article in which Peter Barnes expresses his support can be found at the link below.

http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2009/10/18th_district_assembly_candida.html

Patrick Diegnan’s Gas Tax Bill A1194 from the 2006-07 Legislative Session is enclosed.

New Jersey Edison 9.11 10th Years Memories

I was invited to speak at this solemn event held at the Edison Hotel

New Jersey Edison 9.11 10th Years Memories


Video Title: New Jersey Edison 9.11 10th Years Memories

Saturday, Sept 11, 2011, Edison Hotel, Edison, New Jersey



http://www.icepn.com/tv/channels/news/news-express/2011/09/13/new-jersey-edison-9-11-11th-years-memories.html

America: still the best country in the world

America is still the best country in the world, regardless of one might think. It is the citizens who make this nation great, when the chips are down these are the people on the front lines rolling up their shirt sleeves and getting their hands dirty. Whether they are home standing knee deep in water piling sandbags, or abroad standing on the front lines defending the freedoms that we all take for granted, it is the average individual who gets up in the morning, and see themselves looking back in the mirror that makes the difference. They are the ones who deserve the credit for making this country what it is. Fortitude, perseverance and innovation have always been the spirit of America.

It is also the people that decide how much freedom they want, not politicians. We only let government make that decision for us if “We the people” allow it. Government is supposed to act in behalf of the people as a whole, and if we as a people do not like that representation, we live in a country where a majority can change that representation.

There is much criticism about the direction of the country, whether it is on the local, state, or federal level, but we all have the freedom of choice to change that course. It is up to the people of this country to make a difference, not government.

If enough people become complacent and do not use their right to vote, some day you may lose that right. If you do not like what is happening, “We the people” have the ability to change it. “We the people” have the option to ‘allow’ government to create policy for us, or ‘make’ government represent the wishes of the people.

America is the sum population of its citizens; do not criticize America for its faults . . . You are America, do something to make it better.

~ Joe Sinagra
Candidate for NJ 18th District Assembly