Monday’s editorial in the Courier News underscored the idea that the fiscal discipline which consumers have begun to show in the recent holiday shopping season is a trait that should be emulated at all levels of government, from Washington, D.C., all the way down to Bridgewater.
I often wonder why it is that governments seem to become as addicted to spending as a crack addict is to cocaine. It looks like some public entities just don’t pay any attention to what is obvious to the average citizen – that, in times of economic distress, spending needs to be adjusted to income. Of course, if a governmental entity can simply adjust income upwards by increasing taxes, then what’s the problem?
So far, there isn’t any sign that public spending for 2009 – at least in a couple of areas – is going to abate. Certainly not at the Federal level, and, from preliminary indications, not at the local level either. In Bridgewater, where the preliminary Bridgewater-Raritan school budget has already been released, spending is assured of coming in at another record level.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
All Shopped Out?
One of today’s news reports indicated that retail sales for the Christmas shopping season were down 5% to 8%. You’d think that the world had come to an end! The TV talking head who passed on that information explained how retailers were hoping that consumers would make up that deficit by the end of the year. Deep merchandise discounts are supposed to be the incentive to lure you in.
We may be in the midst of the biggest economic downturn since 1929. If all we had to be concerned about were an 8% slowdown in seasonal consumer spending, it would be a gift from heaven. If only the stock market had gone down by a mere 5% to 8%; or the real estate market; or the auto industry!
Even though the Bridgewater area may not be feeling the pain as severely as the most depressed sections of the USA, the economic issues plaguing this region are similar to those across the nation. Just look around: Our spending habits, expectations, and bellies have simply grown too outsized over too long a period of time.
If you believe in Guardian Angels, then I sincerely wish that yours will watch over you in the coming year. And that’s not an idle wish. You’d probably do better to put your trust in that phenomenon, while keeping your nose to the grindstone, than you would be to trust some of the yahoos who have been misdirecting our financial and governmental institutions.
We may be in the midst of the biggest economic downturn since 1929. If all we had to be concerned about were an 8% slowdown in seasonal consumer spending, it would be a gift from heaven. If only the stock market had gone down by a mere 5% to 8%; or the real estate market; or the auto industry!
Even though the Bridgewater area may not be feeling the pain as severely as the most depressed sections of the USA, the economic issues plaguing this region are similar to those across the nation. Just look around: Our spending habits, expectations, and bellies have simply grown too outsized over too long a period of time.
If you believe in Guardian Angels, then I sincerely wish that yours will watch over you in the coming year. And that’s not an idle wish. You’d probably do better to put your trust in that phenomenon, while keeping your nose to the grindstone, than you would be to trust some of the yahoos who have been misdirecting our financial and governmental institutions.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas, Iraq!
About five weeks ago, Priscille and I shipped a box full of goodies to a soldier in Iraq who we’ve nicknamed Jack. In early December, we received a hand-written note from him expressing his thanks for that shipment of assorted food snacks. He informed us that although the troops have plenty to eat, his soldiers are gratified to personally receive something from back home.
Jack is an officer who was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He expressed his sentiments that, “It is truly appreciated by everyone here and is a reminder to us that we are supported back home.” He went on to say, “BTW, the nut mix and cookies, along with the other treats, were a big hit and seemed to disappear before the day’s end.” Jack shares everything that he receives with his troops.
With the economic crisis on the U.S. mainland, and with people so concerned about their own financial condition, the media seem to have relegated the account of the lives of American troops to the cul-de-sac of the news wires. Despite that, the spirit and endurance of American men and women in that dusty old Middle Eastern country remain steadfast. These men and women simply want to do their job, complete their tours of duty and get back home safely.
Let’s keep those valiant souls in our thoughts and prayers on this Eve of Christmas, as more than 2 billion Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate the advent of a child born 2000 years ago in yet another country near Iraq, entering humanity with a message of peace, compassion, sacrifice, love and justice.
Note: Please see www.americasupportsyou.mil
Jack is an officer who was recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He expressed his sentiments that, “It is truly appreciated by everyone here and is a reminder to us that we are supported back home.” He went on to say, “BTW, the nut mix and cookies, along with the other treats, were a big hit and seemed to disappear before the day’s end.” Jack shares everything that he receives with his troops.
With the economic crisis on the U.S. mainland, and with people so concerned about their own financial condition, the media seem to have relegated the account of the lives of American troops to the cul-de-sac of the news wires. Despite that, the spirit and endurance of American men and women in that dusty old Middle Eastern country remain steadfast. These men and women simply want to do their job, complete their tours of duty and get back home safely.
Let’s keep those valiant souls in our thoughts and prayers on this Eve of Christmas, as more than 2 billion Christians worldwide prepare to celebrate the advent of a child born 2000 years ago in yet another country near Iraq, entering humanity with a message of peace, compassion, sacrifice, love and justice.
Note: Please see www.americasupportsyou.mil
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Always Look Behind the Veil
The photo of Bernard Madoff in this weekend’s edition of the Wall Street Journal may be one of the most revealing examples of the time-tested adage, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” The picture shows a frontal face shot of Madoff who is alleged to have bilked hundreds, perhaps thousands of people and organizations out of $50 billion. You might think his photograph would look like a mug shot, but it doesn’t – that’s the surprising part.
Indeed, the veneer of Bernie Madoff’s face gives the impression of someone you might instinctively trust. His features are soft: the eyes deep, but not hard; the emergent smile, welcoming. He sports unpretentious spectacles and a round, almost jovial visage that emanates no sign of deceit. All those features are topped off by a blue baseball cap covering a head of silver. The photo gives off the air of an informal personality. The guy might just as well be your own grandfather, he looks so first-rate!
However, if the allegations brought against him prove to be true, no one would trust him any further than they would a recidivist, child-abusing relative nestled in the middle of a family get-together sprinkled with innocent children.
This phenomenon brings up the age-old question that comes up in such situations: Why? No one but Madoff can explain what happened. Even though his investors should have been wary of returns that were consistently too high in both up and down markets to be credible, there is something else: People want to trust other people. Despite all of the mendacity in the world, trust, properly applied, is still one of the essential oils that lubricate the operation of a viable society.
The fact that so many well-trained empty business suits, bureaucrats, and elected officials have taken advantage of that human attribute is the main reason why our economy is now in the tank.
Indeed, the veneer of Bernie Madoff’s face gives the impression of someone you might instinctively trust. His features are soft: the eyes deep, but not hard; the emergent smile, welcoming. He sports unpretentious spectacles and a round, almost jovial visage that emanates no sign of deceit. All those features are topped off by a blue baseball cap covering a head of silver. The photo gives off the air of an informal personality. The guy might just as well be your own grandfather, he looks so first-rate!
However, if the allegations brought against him prove to be true, no one would trust him any further than they would a recidivist, child-abusing relative nestled in the middle of a family get-together sprinkled with innocent children.
This phenomenon brings up the age-old question that comes up in such situations: Why? No one but Madoff can explain what happened. Even though his investors should have been wary of returns that were consistently too high in both up and down markets to be credible, there is something else: People want to trust other people. Despite all of the mendacity in the world, trust, properly applied, is still one of the essential oils that lubricate the operation of a viable society.
The fact that so many well-trained empty business suits, bureaucrats, and elected officials have taken advantage of that human attribute is the main reason why our economy is now in the tank.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Go Ahead! Be an Angel
The two Salvation Army Angel Trees are beckoning your attention again at the Bridgewater Commons Mall. One is located on the second level at the indoor entrance to Macy’s, near Foot Locker and Bridget’s Irish Cottages. The second is located at ground level, against the wall opposite Guest Services.
Each tree is amply decorated with individual “wish tags” which bear the name of a deserving person and his/her wish. It’s very easy to fulfill the request, because each tag bears the name of an item – clothing, toy, etc., together with gender, age, and clothing size. You don’t even have to wrap the gift.
Simply select and remove a tag from one of the trees, purchase the item and, together with the tag, return both to the ground floor location and deposit them in the large collection box next to the tree. You can’t miss the location: It’s near the entrance to the ground floor rest rooms and a short walk from Santa Claus.
A notice asks that, if possible, you leave your gift and tag no later than December 19th. However, if the tree and gift collection box are still there after the 19th, it’s an indication that you might have a few extra days. Remember, though, Santa’s elves will have a lot of wrapping and delivering to do. .
A few days ago, the box was brimming. Another cart had been placed next to it for the overflow but there were still plenty of tags hanging on those trees: Go ahead! Be an angel.
Each tree is amply decorated with individual “wish tags” which bear the name of a deserving person and his/her wish. It’s very easy to fulfill the request, because each tag bears the name of an item – clothing, toy, etc., together with gender, age, and clothing size. You don’t even have to wrap the gift.
Simply select and remove a tag from one of the trees, purchase the item and, together with the tag, return both to the ground floor location and deposit them in the large collection box next to the tree. You can’t miss the location: It’s near the entrance to the ground floor rest rooms and a short walk from Santa Claus.
A notice asks that, if possible, you leave your gift and tag no later than December 19th. However, if the tree and gift collection box are still there after the 19th, it’s an indication that you might have a few extra days. Remember, though, Santa’s elves will have a lot of wrapping and delivering to do. .
A few days ago, the box was brimming. Another cart had been placed next to it for the overflow but there were still plenty of tags hanging on those trees: Go ahead! Be an angel.
Monday, December 15, 2008
What Would You Do?
“I have no hard feelings,” said Korean-American Dong Yun Yoon, “I know he did everything he could.” So spoke this heart-broken husband and father who recently lost his wife, two young daughters and mother-in-law, when a Marine Corps fighter jet from the nearby Miramar air base lost power and crashed into a San Diego residential neighborhood. The pilot safely ejected before the collision.
A devout Methodist Christian whose firm faith has obviously not inoculated him from the reality of life’s deepest tragedies, Yoon reached out for help. Turning to others who have suffered “more terrible things,” he pleaded, “Please tell me how to do it. I don’t know what to do.”
Christians have sometimes mulled over the meaning of the often disparaged and misapplied question, “What would Jesus do?” Perhaps Dong Yun Yoon, in his deepest moment of grief has intuited the answer: Could it be that the Man who died crucified expects that we should extend ourselves to help those who suffer in the midst of such inexplicable traumas?
Maybe Mr. Yoon is delivering an authentic Christmas message: That we live our lives applying the meaning of The Greatest Commandment. Curious? Check it out. You can find the succinct wording of that message in any copy of the New Testament and in the Hebrew Scriptures from which it is derived.
A devout Methodist Christian whose firm faith has obviously not inoculated him from the reality of life’s deepest tragedies, Yoon reached out for help. Turning to others who have suffered “more terrible things,” he pleaded, “Please tell me how to do it. I don’t know what to do.”
Christians have sometimes mulled over the meaning of the often disparaged and misapplied question, “What would Jesus do?” Perhaps Dong Yun Yoon, in his deepest moment of grief has intuited the answer: Could it be that the Man who died crucified expects that we should extend ourselves to help those who suffer in the midst of such inexplicable traumas?
Maybe Mr. Yoon is delivering an authentic Christmas message: That we live our lives applying the meaning of The Greatest Commandment. Curious? Check it out. You can find the succinct wording of that message in any copy of the New Testament and in the Hebrew Scriptures from which it is derived.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Gas Price Samplings around Bridgewater
Thursday afternoon, I filled up my nearly half-full, trusty Taurus for fifteen bucks. You can enjoy the same proportionate savings if you say, “Fill ‘er up” at the Hess station on Route 22 West (near “The Office” at the Chimney Rock Road exit).
At $1.579 for regular, that Hess location has to be offering one of the lowest cash prices in the area. Miles later, also on Route 22 West, you should find fairly competitive prices beginning at the Exxon Station just past the Shop Rite. But don’t expect them to be the lowest until you get to the Valero and Liberty stations just a couple of miles further down. If you live near the last two fill-up emporiums, expect prices to be competitive with the Hess Chimney Rock Road location.
But don’t hold your breath if you follow Chimney Rock Road up the mountain and onto Washington Valley Road, where the regular price of gas at the Exxon Station near Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville is $1.999. Nor should you expect similar values at some of the other Hess locations in Bridgewater.
Did I mention that my aging tuned-up Taurus delivers 30 mpg’s on the highway?
At $1.579 for regular, that Hess location has to be offering one of the lowest cash prices in the area. Miles later, also on Route 22 West, you should find fairly competitive prices beginning at the Exxon Station just past the Shop Rite. But don’t expect them to be the lowest until you get to the Valero and Liberty stations just a couple of miles further down. If you live near the last two fill-up emporiums, expect prices to be competitive with the Hess Chimney Rock Road location.
But don’t hold your breath if you follow Chimney Rock Road up the mountain and onto Washington Valley Road, where the regular price of gas at the Exxon Station near Blessed Sacrament Church in Martinsville is $1.999. Nor should you expect similar values at some of the other Hess locations in Bridgewater.
Did I mention that my aging tuned-up Taurus delivers 30 mpg’s on the highway?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Art of the Oblique Political Statement
In a recent AP article by David Espo, President-elect Barack Obama skillfully deflected questions on several topics. When asked whether he had quit smoking, he responded that, “I have done a terrific job . . . of making myself healthier . . . I think you will not see any violations of those rules in the White House.” We’ll never be in the White House, so we won’t know. Nor did he address the status of his smoking habit while in other places. A simple yes or no would have been sufficient.
2. Asked about how quickly he would act to bring our troops home from Iraq, Obama said that he expected military commanders to devise a plan “for a responsible drawdown.” Presumably, we can ignore his prior, well-known Iraq election promises. What Obama will be implementing is none other than the Status of Forces agreement just negotiated between the Bush administration and the Iraqi government.
3. On foreign policy, Obama provided no direct response when asked whether India has a right to pursue targets in Pakistan, where water-borne terrorist attacks on the Indian port city of Mumbai originated. Recall that in one of his pre-election claims, Obama threatened to pursue bin Laden in Pakistan. He never hesitated then to question our own right to act militarily in that country.
The difference between campaigning and governing is very stark. But some of Obama’s responses to pre-election topics now seem to be cloudy.
2. Asked about how quickly he would act to bring our troops home from Iraq, Obama said that he expected military commanders to devise a plan “for a responsible drawdown.” Presumably, we can ignore his prior, well-known Iraq election promises. What Obama will be implementing is none other than the Status of Forces agreement just negotiated between the Bush administration and the Iraqi government.
3. On foreign policy, Obama provided no direct response when asked whether India has a right to pursue targets in Pakistan, where water-borne terrorist attacks on the Indian port city of Mumbai originated. Recall that in one of his pre-election claims, Obama threatened to pursue bin Laden in Pakistan. He never hesitated then to question our own right to act militarily in that country.
The difference between campaigning and governing is very stark. But some of Obama’s responses to pre-election topics now seem to be cloudy.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Chasing Debtors in the Bridgewater Library
There is a policy at the Bridgewater location of the Somerset County Library that you turn your cell phone off when entering. The staff is thoughtful, though, because you will see a sign reminding you to turn your phone back on as you leave.
Some folks are either uncaring or forgetful about following that request: On a recent afternoon, sitting at a table near the window walls of an inside courtyard, I heard the musical tones of a nearby cell phone go off. Whoever the owner is, he didn’t pick up quickly and, when he did, it sounded like he had the speaker phone on.
The caller greeted my library neighbor with a friendly female voice, declaring, “Hello, I am a credit collector. . . ” By golly, from the pleasant sound of her voice, you’d think that she was joyfully advising him that he had just won the lottery, and would he please come to pick up the check.
. . . And so it goes. These are appalling economic times, and they affect us all. We don’t know what this guy’s financial status is: whether he is a deadbeat who would be chased down even in good times, or whether he is struggling mightily just to make financial ends meet. Maybe we should keep him in our thoughts and prayers in case he’s a person undeservedly caught up in a job loss and a pile of bills.
Some folks are either uncaring or forgetful about following that request: On a recent afternoon, sitting at a table near the window walls of an inside courtyard, I heard the musical tones of a nearby cell phone go off. Whoever the owner is, he didn’t pick up quickly and, when he did, it sounded like he had the speaker phone on.
The caller greeted my library neighbor with a friendly female voice, declaring, “Hello, I am a credit collector. . . ” By golly, from the pleasant sound of her voice, you’d think that she was joyfully advising him that he had just won the lottery, and would he please come to pick up the check.
. . . And so it goes. These are appalling economic times, and they affect us all. We don’t know what this guy’s financial status is: whether he is a deadbeat who would be chased down even in good times, or whether he is struggling mightily just to make financial ends meet. Maybe we should keep him in our thoughts and prayers in case he’s a person undeservedly caught up in a job loss and a pile of bills.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Bridgewater’s Budgets
During my Thanksgiving holiday visit to Potomac, MD with family and friends, it was hard not to think of the fiscal and monetary debacle at the Federal and State levels and of its relationship to local expenditures here in Bridgewater. Soon, we are going to find out how reduced state support and spending patterns of the past may come to haunt us in municipal and school tax increases.
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT. No numbers have yet been released, but a board committee and administrators have put a ‘preliminary’ budget together and already have a good idea of the magnitude of next year’s school budget.
On December 16th, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education will have its first public review of the 2009-2010 budget at the Wade Building in Martinsville at 8:00 pm. I doubt that Bridgewater and Raritan will be presented with a zero-based, hold-the-line proposal. But we can dream.
Thoughts for the Board: If you present an increase in the budget, please don’t tell the public that it’s for the kids. Worse, don’t use the worn-out rationale that the largest percentage of the budget is for salaries and that, therefore, there is nothing you can do about it because that’s a fixed cost. Remember, you are the same board that, on a wintry December 2007 evening, voted without meaningful debate for a 12.8% three-year wage package hike.
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. What surprised me about the status of the municipal budget came in today’s Courier-News editorial suggesting that there may not be sufficient involvement in budget development between the mayor’s office and the council. In the past, there was a long history of a sometimes adversarial relationship between former Democrat Mayor James Dowden and the Republican Township Council.
But what would be the excuse for anything but an ongoing and transparent working relationship between Mayor Flannery and the Township Council? Township management is now 100% under Republican control. Both the Major’s office and the Council should be working closely to develop Bridgewater’s budget. These are dreadful economic times demanding nothing less.
SUMMARY. I’m very concerned that both our municipal and school elected officials recognize the enormous power of taxation at their fingertips, yet may not admit that this deflating economic situation requires strong measures to keep one of the country’s highest real estate taxes under control. We can’t keep expecting that major corporate headquarters, national retail outlets, and other businesses located in Bridgewater and Raritan will keep acting as a counter-weight to our over-taxed communities.
One of the ironies in this process is that steep national and local declines in newspaper circulation have so savaged newsroom personnel that the dedicated, on-site reporter doing meeting-to-meeting coverage has had to take a back seat to the economic realities of the newspaper business. We all pay for that with less information and, therefore, with less influence.
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT. No numbers have yet been released, but a board committee and administrators have put a ‘preliminary’ budget together and already have a good idea of the magnitude of next year’s school budget.
On December 16th, the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education will have its first public review of the 2009-2010 budget at the Wade Building in Martinsville at 8:00 pm. I doubt that Bridgewater and Raritan will be presented with a zero-based, hold-the-line proposal. But we can dream.
Thoughts for the Board: If you present an increase in the budget, please don’t tell the public that it’s for the kids. Worse, don’t use the worn-out rationale that the largest percentage of the budget is for salaries and that, therefore, there is nothing you can do about it because that’s a fixed cost. Remember, you are the same board that, on a wintry December 2007 evening, voted without meaningful debate for a 12.8% three-year wage package hike.
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP. What surprised me about the status of the municipal budget came in today’s Courier-News editorial suggesting that there may not be sufficient involvement in budget development between the mayor’s office and the council. In the past, there was a long history of a sometimes adversarial relationship between former Democrat Mayor James Dowden and the Republican Township Council.
But what would be the excuse for anything but an ongoing and transparent working relationship between Mayor Flannery and the Township Council? Township management is now 100% under Republican control. Both the Major’s office and the Council should be working closely to develop Bridgewater’s budget. These are dreadful economic times demanding nothing less.
SUMMARY. I’m very concerned that both our municipal and school elected officials recognize the enormous power of taxation at their fingertips, yet may not admit that this deflating economic situation requires strong measures to keep one of the country’s highest real estate taxes under control. We can’t keep expecting that major corporate headquarters, national retail outlets, and other businesses located in Bridgewater and Raritan will keep acting as a counter-weight to our over-taxed communities.
One of the ironies in this process is that steep national and local declines in newspaper circulation have so savaged newsroom personnel that the dedicated, on-site reporter doing meeting-to-meeting coverage has had to take a back seat to the economic realities of the newspaper business. We all pay for that with less information and, therefore, with less influence.
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