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Political Hay
A Tea Party Lesson
From a 1990s tax revolt in New Jersey.
(Page 2 of 2)
Tea Party activists who view HANJ as a localized precedent for their own efforts might then reasonably conclude that should maintain a mostly libertarian outlook that connects with widespread concerns about government overreach and excessive federal spending in particular. This way they can attract more Americans into the fold who have very different ideas on social and cultural issues.
Budzash does see a historical connection between HANJ and the Tea Party.
“Politicians seem to forget we are a nation born from a Tax Revolt,” he wrote. “They spend, tax, bond, and waste money with no thought to the future of the USA. HANJ members were fed up with high taxes just as most Tea Party members are today. I was born on Dec. 16, the date of the original Tea Party, and I see the membership of today’s Tea Party as very similar to our own in HANJ. We were over taxed, over regulated U.S. citizens from all walks of live. You cannot easily define the Tea Party or HANJ because in both instances you had a blend of people from all walks of life. We just want to be able to afford to live and we want government under control and to do its job without bankrupting us. We want politicians to represent us NOT banks or big business or any interest group. They are employed by the taxpayers NOT a foreign government or a business to do what we want, NOT what you are bribed to do.”
Although he remains a committed Republican, LaRossa, the former state senator, also sees flaws in both major parties and advises office holders to remain mindful of constituent concerns that will sometimes diverge from the preferences of legislative leaders.
“I think the worst government takes place when you have one party in control of everything,” LaRossa said. “We had Republicans in control of the governor’s office, the assembly and the state senate. We had some solid achievements in those first few years and I think we can be proud of those initial policy changes. But you do lose a critical element with one party control, which I refer to as positive friction. You lose that dissenting voice and everyone is expected to salute when something gets run up the flag pole by your party. I use to get a lot of criticism when I would oppose the Whitman administration. People would ask why I was against my own governor and I would say the last time I checked she doesn’t live in my district and my responsibility is to the 250,000 people who put me into office.”
After a long run of “bozo governors” in N.J., Budzash does see potential in Chris Christie and even presidential possibilities if he addresses property taxes. Rick Manning, a Second Amendment activist, who now serves as the communications director for Americans for Limited Government in Washington, D.C., also sees cause for encouragement in the early actions Gov. Christie has taken. But he cautions against the idea that a narrow focus on fiscal questions will enable the Tea Party to persist without the involvement of other small government activists. Manning served as the National Rifle Association (NRA) lobbyist/liaison in N.J. when HANJ was active. The Coalition of New Jersey Sportsman made common cause with HANJ and helped fuel the anti-tax revolt, Manning explained. While economic concerns may be front and center at the moment, libertarians should be receptive to the contributions of other activists who prioritize specific constitutional matters and are just as committed to the idea of restraining federal power.
“The key lesson out of the successful HANJ fight is that everyone who supports limited government can win when we all band together, but when we fight, everyone loses,” he said.
As Gov. Christie’s reform efforts continue to gain the attention of Tea Party activists across the nation, they should remain mindful of fact that his support extends well beyond the boundaries of his own party. Beleaguered taxpayers are revolting against entrenched teachers unions and a highly activist state Supreme Court because they admire Christie personally and recognize N.J. is out of money. They are not suddenly in love with Republicans. Grant, the radio pioneer who became too close to the GOP, would likely agree.
About the Author
Kevin Mooney is an investigative reporter with free market think tanks associated with the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. He has also written for the Daily Caller, the Washington Times, the Washington Examiner, NetRightDaily.com and NewsBusters.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (19) | Leave a comment
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FREE tea| 2.1.11 @ 7:57AM
---Of course the main lesson is that things will NOT
change, or be in any way meaningfully responsive
to the interests of ordinary Americans until the
FED and ALLLLLL the major, ultra-rich, tax free
'charitable' foundations and NGO's ---both here and in Londond, along with ALLLLLL
their New World Order and eugenics agendas
are called out, prosecuted and dismantled...
Alan Brooks| 2.1.11 @ 5:03PM
...the Bilderberg's fluoridation... Caroline Kennedy and John John shot their dad...
Howard Hirsch| 2.1.11 @ 1:45PM
Having lived in Dick La Rossa's home town of Ewing while all of this was going on (and been a GOP hanger-on back then as well), I think I can say that history shows that the HANJ activity represented the peak of the anti-tax movement. The legislature may have rolled back the sales tax back then, but has since quietly raised it again without a bleep of protest.
The fact is that not only did Chris Christie win a very close race, as did Cristie Whitman in both her contests, but the GOP made very little gain in the 2009 legislative races. Let us not forget that Dick regrettably lost his own seat in 1997 to far left radical Shirley Turner.
New Jersey is more strongly Dem than ever, and that is one reason why I long ago decamped for Nevada.
Furthermore, my take on the NJ GOP is that its activists were more concerned with local personality conflicts and political patronage than they were about big picture concerns like taxes and national issues. GOP legislators for the most part reflect that, with some exceptions like state senators Gerry Cardinale and John Scott. I can't imagine that this has changed in the years since I left.
Pat| 2.1.11 @ 2:24PM
Highly successful tax revolts seem as short lived as Hollywood marriages. Just today, the governor of New York is patiently explaining to New York Post readers that New York is in deep kimchee financially – a 10 billion dollar deficit. And his explanation for who is at fault: “why no one is at fault”? New Yorkers are told by their governor it’s all those formulas, rates, entitlements, etc. built into the law which are causing the problem. And who is responsible for building all these automatic increases, formulas, rates – why unnamed elected officials in the misty past are responsible, naturally.
Of course the governor has plans to immediately rectify this situation – politicians always have their “plans” and voters always have to accept these amazing plans as just what is needed, right now, right away, no questions asked. From time to time, voters get very frustrated with these endless series of “plans”, fixes which never seem to work. They get in the smiling faces of politicians, they threaten retaliation at the ballot box. When this happens, politicians suddenly become appropriately humble. “We hear you”, “we feel your pain” – their weasel words fly into the media outlets, intended to placate voters. “Have mercy on us, you voters” they beg us, “it wasn’t us who acted like children, it was those elected clowns who we replaced, we know what to do now that we’re in charge” .
But what can you do with a dysfunctional system of government which never seems to walk the straight and narrow for more than 5 minutes? Balanced budget amendments are the answer we’re told, no wait, it’s really “Term Limits” we need, no wait, it’s “Spending Cuts” which will save us. The Tea Party folks should consider going after those responsible, name names, drag those current and former politicians out from under their protective rocks, demand the media publish their names. Like child molesters recently released from prison, the Tea Party needs to warn taxpayers about these politicians living among us, minutely examine how their collective irresponsibility led to the present disaster, identify their currently serving partners in crime and demand new, “no mercy” laws which hold such politicians financially liable for the mess they created – with perhaps a little jail time as well in one of those spiffy, country club prisons.
For politicians, the inherent beauty of our current system is that no one is personally accountable as long as they meant well - the governor of New York tells us so. But why does it have to be that way?
Pelligrino| 2.2.11 @ 5:05AM
Pat, thank you. You get the "Post of the Day!" award.
I particularly like the "like child molestors recently released... living among us" line. Yes, these politicians are some of the very worst in our society, just a few notches above hardened criminals who spend 3/4 of their adult lives behind bars.
That is really the only way to see it: What politicians do -- those who wantonly and knowingly mismanage public funds -- is IMMORAL.
Where we disagree: "A little jail time?" No, I say LONG sentences and in the general populace prisions.
(people have lost their homes -- in part/not totally -- due to these criminal politicians in the last 3 years...and counting.)
da monk| 2.1.11 @ 5:36PM
Bob Grant is/was a racial bigot!
Wally Edge| 2.1.11 @ 8:11PM
Senator Dick LaRossa is now a tea partier? Will wonders never cease. Back in NJ we remember him as a big pro-union man. As in public employee unions: CWA, AFSCME, NJEA, NEA, you name it. He proposed legislation to make them eligible for pensions in only half the time.
LaRossa voted against tax cuts and for increased urban spending. He helped water down and then defeat term limits. Then to top it off he signed off on the most liberal Supreme Court Chief Justice in our state's history.
Frank| 2.3.11 @ 12:01AM
LaRossa and his partner Steve Sredinski damaged the Tea Party in New Jersey when they hijacked the web site of NJCRLC. This group (NJCRLC)was responsible for stopping same sex marriage in New Jersey and the appointment of Janet Rosenzweig.
LaRossa, a then trustee of the group and his business partner Sredinski were paid more than $5,000.00 to create a web site but after being paid, decided to hijack the site for their own personal gain. LaRossa's actions, along Sredinski's have damaged the tea party movement.
Tom DeCillis| 2.3.11 @ 9:35AM
Thank you for that great insightful article about the Tea Party and HANJ. I wish to add the missing link: United Taxpayers of NJ which I along with Sam Perelli and many others formed in 1976 when the NJ state income tax was enacted. We lead the fight for years along with Bob Grant and Howard Jarvis. You will find much information from sources such as the Newark Star Ledger and the AP etc. Maybe you should contact Bob Grant himself and he can fill in the history of taxpayer activism in NJ.
Wally Edge| 2.16.11 @ 8:25AM
Times, The (Trenton, NJ)
November 10, 1995
THE STATE senator's record was, however, quickly challenged by Hands Across New Jersey, an anti-tax group that called LaRossa ''an enemy of the taxpayer.''
The organization said he either opposed or voted against Gov. Christie Whitman's measure to cut the rate of state income taxes.
''LaRossa seems more interested in helping out liberal, special-interest groups like the state workers' union'' than cutting taxes, the group charged.
Times, The (Trenton, NJ)
October 8, 1993
"LaRossa has also received the endorsement of the Communications Workers of America Locals 1031, 1032, 1033, 1037, 1038, 1039 and 1040, which represent more than 15,000 state workers in Mercer County.
In addition, LaRossa received the endorsement of the state AFL-CIO and all of its affiliated labor unions.
LaRossa said the strong support of labor is warranted, because he has delivered."
Reebok | 8.11.11 @ 4:18AM
is good
John L. Budzash| 10.2.11 @ 1:58PM
regarding the Comment by Wally Edge whose reference to The Trenton Times, November 10, 1995 story
"THE STATE senator's record was, however, quickly challenged by Hands Across New Jersey, an anti-tax group that called LaRossa ''an enemy of the taxpayer.''"
By that time I left HANJ that I started and was with The Taxpayers Taskforce. HANJ took it's toll on many of the good people on the board and left it to try again to be ‘normal people’ and left HANJ in the hands of people on the payroll of Whitman. Most of the remaining Board were rewarded for their loyalty with State jobs or cash payments. Those on Whitman’s Payroll included John Sheridan, a convicted major Crack Cocaine dealer who spent years in a Federal Prison for his lowlife dirty deeds. The reason these bottom of the cesspool clowns spoke out against LaRossa was simple and obvious to most. Whitman paid them to.
3 new board members Mitch Grier, Kathy Quick and Ray Babecki, tried to stop them and restore HANJ to the great group it once was, but Whitmans political connections won the Court Battle and HANJ died as a result
Prior to her run for Governor, Whitman started ‘Citizens for an Affordable NJ’ whose only goals were
#1 to make NJ affordable for the very wealthy like the Whitman’s and
#2 to make sure that happened by getting Whitman elected.
To that end ‘Citizens for an Affordable NJ’ raised millions from rich people and gave that money back to every Republican candidate in the State and also to each County Chairman and to the Republican State Committee to buy their support
Dick opposed Whitman and in spite of her buying support from pretty much all Republican politicians in NJ, LaRossa could not be tricked into supporting her nor be bribed like most others .
Dick and I did not agree on all things and we certainly had our significant differences, but it was my opinion based on his integrity and his actions that he may do the wrong things but not for the wrong reasons and he was at that time among, if not THE best choice, for NJ Governor . No politician or human is perfect in every way and all will say some things you agree with as well as others you disagree with. It’s integrity that counts most. I have never found LaRossa lacking in Integrity as he stated his job was to work for the people in his district a job he did quite well.
John L. Budzash| 10.2.11 @ 2:03PM
Tom DeCillis comment mentioned Sam Perelli, who was in fact a true Taxpayers Hero. I feel Sam should be inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame .
SAM introduced me to Bob Grant and got Grant to speak at our Rally on July 1, 1990. Sam and I shared Mic time at many Radio Stations and TV shows. Sam never had an ego. His only interest was that I and HANJ were a success and to that end he helped us tirelessly
Sam was dedicated like no other human on earth working to improve life for all people in NJ. A few years prior to his death, I was asked to speak at a Libertarian function honoring Sam. As always I never prepare anything. I speak from the heart and speak the truth so unless I need certain facts and figures to be accurate I see little need to prep.
I listened to others speak of Sam and as I started to speak it hit me what he was. I simply stated the truth. I was a bit hesitant because as I was speaking I knew it may be misconstrued . I said Sam was the Cockroach of NJ politics. He's been around forever, he's annoying as Hell, no matter what they do or try, they can NOT get rid of him. Sam got a kick out of my analogy and often brought it up afterwards in our conversations.
It should be known in his final months, knowing he was dying, Sam proved me partially correct. He was still unstoppable. Sam and I successfully worked together fighting Whitman’s proposed Gas Tax increase. I lobbied in Trenton and Sam in his death bed lobbied making phone calls. The part I was wrong about was Sam is not around forever…………….I miss him, his tenacity, his wisdom and guidance made me a better man and New Jersey a better place to live.
John L. Budzash| 10.2.11 @ 3:06PM
My 2 preceding comments help slightly to explain why I endorsed Florio. I will say I knew Whitman and she is the lowest of the low in politics . What she could but get by sweet talk she’s bribe, or bully to get. She was the single most self serving person I ever had the displeasure to know.
NJ Republican Chairman Bob Franks and Speaker Haytaiaan tried unsuccessfully to start a tax revolt against Florio in the late winter/early spring of 1990. There was zero interest.
When I stared HANJ they sent in NRA operatives Rick Manning and Richard Feldman top try to steer us and take us over for their personal needs. Feldmans NJ office was in Franks Legislative office. After Franks tried to run for Congress a few years later and switched position on his Pro Gun views Feldman confessed to his role trying to defeat Franks in the election.
At the same time Chuck and Bob were screwing with HANJ, Whitman financed a takeover attempt of HANJ using a smarmy character later tied to the mob a wealthy buffoon named Michael Francis who she later rewarded with the no pay but prestigious job as head of the NJ Sports Authority. Francis was wealthy but a bit of a social nobody. This no pay job got his ugly mug in the papers society columns all the time which was what he wanted
and as a new comer to politics bought and bullied her way to the top.
I fought off 6 attempts take over HANJ all funded by Whitman, Chuck and Bob and immediacy after winning one another began. Keeping HANJ going was 2 full time jobs for each board member who were all unpaid while we fought high paid politicians, lawyers and others mostly using our own money to do so. There was so much behind the scenes BS going on mostly started by both Chuck & Bob or Whitman that no story involving HANJ can be accurate without writing a full length novel about it.
I knew Whitman would be the worst governor ever in NJ and I was correct. She bonded us into a huge debt, misspent our tax dollars and pretty much did illegal things to help make her financial friends more wealthy. Her tax cuts saved her enough each month to pay for her to enjoy a 1st class chauffer limo to NYC to Tavern on The Green and a Top Broadway show followed by a luxury suite in a top 5 star hotel. The average taxpayer saved ALMOST enough for a Value meal at McDonalds.
You must understand that property taxes on the estates of Whitman and many mega wealthy people are a merely tiny fraction of the amount they pay in NJ State income taxes so property taxes are not an issue with the Whitman’s Kean’s and possibly Chris Christy. Only time will tell for Chris Christy
After she was elected, most Tax Activists referred to Whitman as ‘Madame Fee Fee’ because she never met a fee she did not raise. When she left office her bonded debt alone was more than Florios entire budget and bonded debt combined!!!!! By the way she often referred to Florio as “the worst Governor in NJ History” I say 3rd place maybe. # 1 is now Whitman and 2’nd is Tom Kean who as Governor when the economy was booming and the State coffers were running over, doubled spending from about 6 to over 12 billion a year instead of lowering taxes as he could have and should have
Even her welfare for the wealthy programs were not enough for Whitman who owns 2 huge tax dodge fake ‘farms’ Her Hubby John actually moved his main business to the Cayman Islands to avoid all State and Federal taxes
Property taxes were then as they are now, the top issue of concern of the majority of NJ residents yet not one politician has done a microscopic thing to try to address that problem
I like Chris Christy. But as he stated he is not ready to run for President and in truth accomplished very little so far.
I like much of his style but so far rate him at 35% for effort and 25% for results. That’s because I and most people in NJ are drowning in insane Property taxes. When he was running I gave him a few papers on UEZ’s and how to reform property taxes. He implemented a few UEZ ideas I gave him but zero on property taxes. If Christy takes my simple proposal and makes it happen it will be a significant first step toward Property Tax Reform
While a big business may bring 1000 new jobs, it’s the small business that built the USA and are the backbone of the USA economy. We do not need tax breaks for the wealthy. We need PROPERTY TAX REFORM NOW for all people.
This is a octopus issue whose tax sucking arms grab many things. ILLEGAL immigrants, Property Taxes, General Taxes, Environmental Laws all need to be addressed in order to bring NJ back to being an affordable state again. If Christy does something as promised to bring NJ around I’ll be the 1st to vote for him again but until then no. I really like the guy. I voted for him and I’ll say he’s absolutely the best governor we have had yet, BUT considering who came before him, that does not say much. So far that bar is way too low to make him a worthy candidate for a 2nd term as governor much less for President
العاب بنات | 4.11.12 @ 4:14PM
is very nic