JUST TOW THE LINE OR DON’T
By guest columnist James Hogan
Without Art to corral you donkeys, I thought I’d send the friendly admin my latest Random Thoughts, and try to incite a riot, as I’ve been discussing this very topic with neighbors in my town.
It’s no secret at this point, Jen Beck and Mary Pat Angelini have both come out in favor of gay marriage, a position that is off of the usual Republican line. Earlier this year, Jen Beck voted against a Christie line item veto for “women’s health funding”, which is also off of the line. Likewise, Mary Pat Angelini sponsored and pushed, what I would consider to be nanny state, anti bullying legislation and then pushed the student survey bill that would have asked students for personal information about their households like salary, religious beliefs, political affiliations among other items, again seemingly an off of the line bill. For me personally, both have been on the wrong side of Second Amendment legislation over and over again, supporting One Gun a Month legislation and doing nothing to get NJ’s laws in line with the nation’s firearms laws in light of recent Supreme Court decisions. I’m sure I’m missing a few places where they weren’t toeing the line, but these example should suffice.
But while Jen Beck and Mary Pat Angelini seem to stray from the party line on these few, relatively minor in the grand scheme of things, issues, they also can be accused of just toeing the line on many others. Both can be counted on to toe the line when it comes to pension and benefit reforms, both can be counted on to toe the line when it comes to the 2% property tax cap and other tax reforms. Both seem to toe the line on school choice, teacher tenure reforms and other school funding issues. In fact, one can certainly make the case that both Beck and Angelini always just toe the party line… usually.
So what do you want your elected representatives to do? Do you want them to just be consistent and toe the line, every time? Or do you want them to be free thinkers who sometimes stray from the party line, but try to represent local interests? Is there another option that allows free thinking and local representation without having the appearance of just toeing the line, or crossing the line at the wrong times? If no one on either side was willing to budge from their party line, would anything get done? Does anything, good, get done now with the current system? Where do you draw the line on toeing the line? As a county committeeman, would you accuse me of toeing the line for supporting candidates who don’t always toe the line, or am I getting out of line to support candidates who are sometimes out of line? Again, is there another option?
Feel free to discuss. In the meantime, don’t mind me – I’ll be out “toeing the party line”, or not, and asking everyone in district 11 to vote Beck, Angelini and Casagrande on November 8th because they have done a great job toeing the line or have proving their ability and will to get off the line and have a voice of their own. Either way you look at it, I’m happy with the general direction that the Great State of New Jersey is moving, and.I’m convinced that, in general, Beck, Angelini and Casagrande will continue toeing the line, or not, to keep our state moving in the right direction.
James Hogan
Average No One
More from my site
Beck, Angelini, Pledge Gay Marriage Support
Is Gay Marriage A Simple Issue?
Garden State Equality Apologizes For Endorsing Mary Pat Angelini
O’Scanlon Reiterates His Support Of Gay Marriage
NJ Senate Passes Gay Marriage Bill
Casagrande’s Cowardice
N.J. legislators inching toward override of Christie’s gay marriage veto
BECK, ANGELINI AND CASAGRANDE TO SEEK RE-ELECTION
Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider Endorses Republicans Beck, Angelini and Casagrande- NFIB Endorses Beck, Angelini and Casagrande
Hogan, when is the last time someone actually posted a comment on your own blog site? Give us a clue. Who was President then? Clinton?
Today, actually, 4 comments even, I just don’t approve any comments. I do read them, mostly they are from cowards like you who are afraid to use a real name or from people who just agree, or disagree, but don’t have much to add either way.
Your such a hack James. Your last paragraph says it all: “feel free to discuss.” However, when people don’t agree with you, your ridiculous bashing comes to fore.
You say Beck came out in favor of gay marriage…yeah, after she was against it for 6 years in her old district. Remember, she voted it down not once but twice! Why all of a sudden the change of heart??
And as you mention, she is pro-choice. Well my choice is not Jennifer Beck! BTW, in your “discussions” with your neighbors, what do they say about the three candidates (Be truthful now.)
Jim,
Don’t you just love it when people attack the messenger, rather than discuss the issue.
“Feel Free” must be looking in the mirror when he’s talking about hacks.
Well donkey, if I didn’t want a discussion, then I would have posted this on my blog, not submitted it to a blog that promotes open comments.
Should I take your personal attack against me and your sole focus on Jen Beck’s gay marriage position to mean that you want candidates who strictly toe the line, every time, and do exactly what they are told, right or wrong, every time?
Also, since you ask, I’ll humor you. When I talk to my neighbors about the state candidates, none of them even know who I’m talking about, I may as well be speaking another language, and most don’t even know that there is an election coming. My neighbors don’t know who Jen Beck is. They don’t know who Mary Pat Angelini is. And they don’t know who Caroline Casagrande is. They all know Snookie, Bruce and Bon Jovi. I spend hours and hours of my time telling them all about the candidates, the good and bad, and I suspect a dozen or two will even make the effort to go vote. Most of my neighbors say they DO NOT want a candidate who toes the party line, but like you, they then get upset when they find out about that one issue that they disagree on, I just remind them that, usually, the alternative choices still disagree with them, may as well move on to another issue to focus on. Some of my neighbors appreciate the time and effort I put into local campaigning, some still slam the door in the my face after saying “Oh, you again!”. After a few short years of being at this, Jen, Mary Pat and Caroline, among a very small list of a few other Republicans, sort of kind of know who I am if you give them a few hints, and they all probably, rightly, think I’m a thorn in their side and push a little deeper each time they move the wrong way. How’s that for honesty?
Ever talk to your neighbors, or do they just assume you’re hitting on them if you start talking about a gay wedding?
marriage is an institution of reproduction. Gays can not reproduce. It’s that simple. Shows you the state of ignorance and confusion.
Sexual intercourse is the “institution of reproduction” dictated by biology.
Marriage is a ritual dictated by man.
Jen Beck and Mary Pat Angelini = fail
When assessing how someone does or does not toe the line, you get an insight into her philosophy. Marriage is a religious institution. Voting against gay marriage and gun rights shows Beck to be more apt to support government involvement in private matters. Supporting abortion and changing to support gay marriage while consistently being anti-gun indicates a distinct leaning toward the left. I can only judge her philosophy and decision making based on her record and ask if I can support her. I think the more important question becomes,”If a candidate’s philosophy is not one I agree with, but it’s closer to my belief system than her opponents’, do I vote for the lesser of two evils?”
Well I see James Hogan has made the big time: He has a guest column on Art’s blog.
I like to address Hmmm: As a supposed “Republican,” Jen Beck advocates abortion. She attempted and failed an override on Chris Christie’s de-funding of Planned Parenthood, which is the largest provider of abortions in this country. As James Hogan pointed out, she failed to vote on important gun issues by conveniently abstaining. We did not vote for someone to “abstain;” We voted for someone to take a position PERIOD!
As for gay rights–well, we know the “flip-floppin” and why know why.
Ms. Beck recently sponsored legislation that would make governmental agencies more transparent and fully disclose their operations—when I asked Jen Beck for proof she donated the Solomon Dwek campaign contributions to charity–SHE REFUSED! So much for transparency–apparently its or others–and not her, when she operates in a taxpayer operated office.
She recently sponsored legislation to stop “double-dipping” whereas to prevent a retired employee from obtaining another taxpayer funded pension. If Ms. Beck did her research, she would know its already illegal to do so.
As for the fraud at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department–why hasn’t she called for an investigation? The evidence is abundantly compelling and overwhelming that fraud has taken place. Actually, there is an investigation. She has written there is no investigation–THATS A LIE!! Why hasn’t she said nothing about that?
This woman must clearly go.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dump-State-Senator-Jennifer-Beck/181295051917672
Sorry for the typo:Paragraph 2 should have read: We know the “flip-floppin” and WE KNOW WHY. Sorry, thats why they put erasers on pencils.
Mr. Sage obviously no one at the local or state level has listened to your tale of corruption. Have you tried the FBI.
Maybe the ATF or the CIA.
No wait they are probably in on it too. Try Interpol.
Hogan and Sage on virtually the same page?
Am I reading that correct?
Is the world about to end?
Jim has always been a straight shooter. Maybe (and I doubt it) people aren’t listening, but I did remember something in the Asbury Park press and Star Ledger about whats going on. I had to do a little research, and apparently someone is listening (and investigating).
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/nj_officials_launch_investigat.html
If it is ever determined that a crime was committed as Mr Sage alleges I will post an apology on this blog and never ever make fun of him again for any reason.
Mr. Hogan:
The most telling part of your post is this line: “…I’m a thorn in their side and push a little deeper each time they move the wrong way.” I guess an “ALL HAIL JAMES HOGAN” is in order.
It seems that you think that you are the end all in the GOP that determines which way is right or wrong. So, “the wrong way” is any way that you don’t agree? Maybe we should base the entire National GOP around you and your personal beliefs? Abe who?
I guess you think that you know what is best for all of us. It must be so hard to carry the weight of our party on your shoulders.
The truth is, short-minded people like you, who attack good Republicans have ruined the GOP. People like Jen Beck and Mary Pat Angelini unite good people because they aren’t afraid to do whats right. They understand that they were elected to represent ALL members of their district, not just Republicans. They are true Stateswomen.
Contrary to your belief, the GOP and/or the universe doesn’t revolve around James Hogan.
Whatever your political aspirations please understand that you will never be in the same league as Sen. Beck and Assemblywoman Angelini. Never.
As for your neighbors, I’m sure they’ll say anything to get you off of their front lawn.
Jersey Bob
We are not looking for self serving politicians who act in the vein of trying to “unite people.”
We are looking for good Republicans who do things on the basis of REPUBLICAN values, not libtard RINO ideals.
Jenn Beck is a flip flopping showboat, especially on the issue of gay marriage. The good people of the 11th who ended up with her instead of Sean Kean got SCREWED.
Mary Pat, I do like her personally. But this Nanny State BS of an Anti Bullying Law is HORSE MANURE. You have no clue what kind of extra work this has laid on our schools, taking valuable time away from teaching. I know.
Teachers are so scared now, they have to report even a “tap on the shoulder” Mary Pat has been going down the RINO path for far too long on other issues as well.
True Stateswoman? Cut me a break Mr. Jersey Sycophant Bob. I hope there are serious primary challengers to both of them next time around.
You are right on one thing. The GOP universe doesn’t revolve around Jim Hogan. It revolves around ALL good Republicans who want our Republican Legislators to toe the line on good Republican ideals, not dish out pablum and talking points
BTW, as an addendum,
I got some GREAT political mailers yesterday trashing that other phoney; Dan Jacobson.
As well, the true Vin Gopal was exposed with his connection to Joe Vas who went to prison over campaign fraud.