NJ Gov. Backs Off On Unions

Welcome to the dance, fellow New Jerseyians.

Unfortunately, the Gov. has asked that he, not the legislature, lead us in this charade of "getting tough" on the benefits that public employees are getting. The legislative leaders took that offer quicker than you could blink. Why not? After all they're the ones who will be up for re-election long before the governor will. He'll be the bad guy and they can play the good guys during their re-elction runs.

After decades of giving it up to the unions at the bargaining table by our elected officials, we are now suppose to believe that this one man, the Governor, is going to get it all, or most, of it back.

Right.

If I were a union member, why would I want my union leaders to give up a nice pension system, great health benefits, etc.? If you had it, would you give it up for nothing?

Let's see, the Governor got tough with them this year by saying that this was going to be the last freebie Friday after Thanksgiving day off that they would get.

I figure that the leftover turkey has more backbone that this guy.

Sunday 12/10/06 9:41 pm - Update

I think I have whiplash. It seems the Govenor has begun backstepping from his backstepping by sidestepping his intentions.

It seems that, via a letter sent tonight to Senate President Richard Codey & Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, the govenor is challenging the leaders to have their respective bodies go ahead and attempt to reform public worker benefits, without any mention if he would sign any bills that they might come up with.

Apparently this caught the president of Communications Workers of America Local 1033, Rae Roeder, by complete surprise. She is as confused as Codey & Roberts are about this sudden turn by the Govenor.

Why do I get the feeling that if we put together all of the backbones of all the elected leaders that are involved in this situation, we would find ourselves sitting ringside witnessing the political equivalent of a jello wrestling match?