Paul Krugman: Chris Christie 'The Least Responsible Governor' In Jersey History

The New York Times:

One general rule of modern politics is that the people who talk most about future generations — who go around solemnly declaring that we’re burdening our children with debt — are, in practice, the people most eager to sacrifice our future for short-term political gain. You can see that principle at work in the House Republican budget, which starts with dire warnings about the evils of deficits, then calls for tax cuts that would make the deficit even bigger, offset only by the claim to have a secret plan to make up for the revenue losses somehow or other.

Read the whole story at The New York Times

Comments

[aquarius254]

07:59 PM on 04/15/2012

Once again a Teapublican Hack is shown for what he really is.

[TheTightwireGuy]

12:27 PM on 04/15/2012

Gas taxes in New Jersey are very low relative to neighboring states. With all of the visitor traffic to the Jersey shore, the low gas tax may induce knowledgeable through-travelers and visitors to but more of their gas in NJ, but my guess is that NJ has room to increase overall gas taxes collected from non-residents by increasing gas tax rates by a relatively small amount (e.g. 5 cents per gallon).

TTG

[ohcomeonreally]

08:07 PM on 04/18/2012

Except that he promised he wouldn't raise gas taxes and didn't want to be embarrassed. IOW he held his political future in higher regard than the people of his state.

[TheTightwireGuy]

10:26 AM on 04/20/2012

Yes, he did promise that. And it was a stupid promise to make.

[gigantor]

08:41 AM on 04/15/2012

Its good someone is trying to put a pinprick in the bubble thats cris cristie....he has completely and totally ignored what is and will be the biggest problenm facing NJ in the next ten yrs....out of control civil service (on all levels) pension payments. To the people of NJ be prepared for your taxes to triple.....within ten yrs....its simple math, over the last few yrs cristie has abandoned even the hint of making required pension payments...he knows cops and fireman are heading for pension reduction he's such a tough guy he doesn't want to deal with it....best left for the next guy....thanks cris...just fyi those necessary tax increase to pay for these pension payments will really help you to sell your house in NJ right?

[noaxe397]

02:46 AM on 04/15/2012

Christie's pandering to the national stage also includes his veto of the gay marriage bill.  He said he wanted the people of NJ to decide via a referendum...........But the people of NJ have decided this issue.  Twice.  Once when they voted for heir elected representatives and once when those representatives voted for the bill.

[l78lancer]

07:34 PM on 04/14/2012

When the conservatives in New Jersey want to complain about the ineffectiveness of federal dollars spent and federal money wasted, they will be able to forever look at this project and recognize that for the one finger pointing at the incompleted project, the remaining three fingers are pointing right back at them.

This decision built a monument to stupidity.

[l78lancer]

07:26 PM on 04/14/2012

"One general rule of modern politics is that the people who talk most about future generations — who go around solemnly declaring that we’re burdening our children with debt — are, in practice, the people most eager to sacrifice our future for short-term political gain."
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This should be made into a plaque and posted over the doors of the republican causus' chamber.

[Slim Dude]

11:35 AM on 04/14/2012

Thanks Mr. Krugman for putting it all into perspective. Christie is nothing more than a bully, and a dishonest one at that. This nation deserves better leaders than this.

[ohcomeonreally]

08:09 PM on 04/18/2012

Oh but no, haven't you heard? He's a rising star in the GOP.

[VikingQuest]

09:38 AM on 04/14/2012

In reality the simple response to that if others like NY or the Feds really wanted this . . .

We'll foot the bill for any overruns.

[firstep]

08:31 AM on 04/14/2012

Krugman and all the lefties cannot stand the fact that if another election were held today. Governor Christie would be elected in a landslide.

[joe1964]

12:03 PM on 04/14/2012

"Billie," said his Mom, " if a hundred people do a stupid thing, it is still a stupid thing. If all your friends jumped over a cliff, would you?"

Then Billie's Mom voted for George Bush in 2004.

[TheAntiOkie]

02:52 PM on 04/14/2012

Yes, we mourn the lack of critical thinking skills that keep the voters for people like him voting against their own self-interest.

[Billy Jack]

08:30 AM on 04/14/2012

Cory Booker for Governor

[paddlerchick]

07:59 AM on 04/14/2012

The power of big oil is seen when mass transit projects are scrapped. I think most Americans would gladly use mass transit if available. Christie is just another pol in big oil's pocket. This isn't rocket science.

[mowprincess]

07:40 AM on 04/14/2012

I can't believe all of the Repub governors have no concern for the planet.. Conservation through mass transit is crucial in reducing green house gases...

[Siebenstein]

07:30 AM on 04/14/2012

Christy is all mouth, a real bully who thinks he is the King of NJ.

[HarleyOpenRoad]

07:56 AM on 04/14/2012

In other words, like most others in NJ.

[zpolitics]

08:41 AM on 04/14/2012

Pot calls the kettle black.

[Siebenstein]

04:50 PM on 04/14/2012

Really? I wouldn't know and I frankly don't believe it. However, Christy has proven it for himself.

[Billy Jack]

08:31 AM on 04/14/2012

actually, he's all a..

[Siebenstein]

04:51 PM on 04/14/2012

Ha ! Okay, I go with that too ;-)

[Sundae Driver]

05:15 AM on 04/14/2012

Of course Republicans dislike public transportation projects...they threaten the oil industry's profits by driving down gasoline consumption. As usual, the GOP is the enemy of America.

[spank an elf]

02:37 AM on 04/14/2012

I hate to say this, but CC spun this matter so well that I thought "wow, perhaps he is correct." For a while this news story occupied my hour long commute. I heard about this problem coming and going. Unfortunately NJ 101.5 is extremely conservative but they have the best traffic reports.

Trust me, I despise agreeing with Christie on anything.

Sounds like I was right to suspect CC's motives. Go me!

[bigprogressivejohn]

02:59 AM on 04/14/2012

And how long was that commute? I couldn't even imagine commuting through those tunnels during rush hour. If there was a train available I'd be on it.