Government

‘Day of Reckoning’: Chris Christie Tackles Massive State Debt on ‘60 Minutes’

It could be the biggest crisis since the collapse of the housing market.

That’s how experts are describing state budgets, which are becoming so spend-heavy that municipalities are now drowning in debt and unrealistic spending obligations.

Here’s a taste: California now spends more on public employee pensions than it does on the state university system; Arizona has sold its state capital, supreme court chambers, and legislative building to private investors; and Illinois, which spends twice as much as it takes in in taxes, is months behind on Medicaid payments and some gas stations won’t even take State Trooper credit cards.

Those examples were included in a “60 Minutes” special on Sunday, which detailed the growing problem of mounting state debt. It’s a problem that includes blatant fiscal irresponsibility and borrowing money to delay what NJ Gov. Chris Christie calls in the piece the “day of reckoning.” The segment also features Meredith Whitney, one of the most respected women on Wall Street who once predicted the dismal housing collapse. In her mind, the state budget crisis will be just as crippling.

Business Insider calls the piece, “what everyone will be talking about today”:

Last week, the Manhattan Institute’s Steve Malanga called the state budget problem a “fiscal train wreck,” and compared benefits in the public sector to benefits in the private sector. In short, he confirms Christie’s call for cuts:

One big area of concern is employee costs, including not only pay but benefits. According to the governor’s association report, the average state worker now earns $39.83 an hour in compensation, including benefits, compared to an average of $27.49 in the private sector. The big differentials are in health benefits ($4.43 per hour in the public sector vs. $2.01 in the private sector), and in pension costs ($3.23 per hour in the public sector vs. 94 cents per hour in private industry). As the report noted, “To have any hope of achieving fiscal health in the future, states will need to redesign their benefit systems.”

Comments (234)

1 2 3 ... 6
  • Rosey
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:31am

    Why didn’t 60 minutes interview Glenn Beck??? He was saying this about 5 years ago. I’ll bet he called it before that gal economist did and they praised her for it.
    Did you see the look on the interviewers face when he was talkin’ to Christie? He was pissed off that Mr. Christie was calling BS on this nonsense…told me where he stood, if there was any doubt.

    Report Post » Rosey  
  • Sledgehammer
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:30am

    I don’t think one man, even a Christi, is what we need. What I do believe is that every state must force it’s self to follow a policy like that of the N.J. Gov., we must first stop the mad spending, then pay down our debt. this will get the money the produces real products back in to the peoples pockets! This can be done by electing (short term) lawmakers, who have actually had to work to pay their own bills!

    Report Post » Sledgehammer  
  • Volsense
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:27am

    Who wooda thunk it? A polytishan with a brane. The scariest part of what is coming is that Illinois owes twice as much as they are bringing in. The state of California is in the same shape. The political machine that runs the state of Illinois is the same thugs who brought us the One. Are the trillion dollar deficits the dims are pushing just a sign of the same thing coming for the rest of the country?

    Report Post »  
  • NVFreeMan
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:26am

    When “Public Servants” (hahaha) earn almost DOUBLE what the private sector earns, there is but ONE solution: TAX REVOLT

    Report Post » NVFreeMan  
  • wampanoag
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:24am

    The Federal government will have to print more dollars and give them to the states. The dollar will depreciate in value to nothing, and there will be massive inflation in prices. This nation is paying the price for its Iraq and Afghanistan wars and profligate spending, and credit card economy.

    Report Post »  
    • Sgt.Crust
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:19am

      LOL, the dollar is almost worhtless now! The scam is up, the ponzy scheme is dead and we all know it.

      Report Post »  
  • Bluegill
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:23am

    I get a kick out of 60 Minutes, they seems to go out of their way to avoid which party runs these states that are in such trouble! The reporter Kroft? seemed like he was just sick to his stomach to have to do this story, exposing the progressives is no fun I guess.

    Report Post » Bluegill  
  • Sgt.Crust
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:20am

    There is no rescue, our dear leaders (read progressives) have spent our nation’s wealth, wasted it, given it away, or invested it poorly. In any event, it does not make much difference now, there is really nothing anyone can do about it, because we are in such a deep hole, there is not a rope long enough or ladder high enough to get us out of it! We are headed for official fiscal BANKRUPSTY at the federal, state and local levels; it has been a train wreck coming for a LONG time, and it is nothing new, I’ve known about this for many years, so if I knew, you can damn well bet our screwbal leaders have also known! Get ready for the bottom to fall out, and if you’re not prepared for it, you will be taken down by it too! And when ANY gov’t becomes desparate enough, wars will start, nationalism will rise and suffereing will result, by all. Our leaders of gov’t and industry have been lying to us, and raping us, for many years, and we just kept our heads in the sand, so we are part of the problem too! Just go to usdebtclock.org and watch the money go down the drain, there is no getting it back, we are BROKE. The only thing holding up this house of cards is fake stimulus, and the Fed printing (or digitizing) money now, and that will end badly! It will do no good to take to the streets, or wail and moan, it is our reality, no getting around it. Even those of us that THINK we are prepared, are ill-equipped to handle what is about to happen, because this will be an EXTENDED event, not days, weeks or months, but years to work through! I know what your thinking, this blowhard thinks he knows what he is talking about, and he is crazy! Proof will be in the pudding my friends. Do you think I want this to happen? Hell no, but it is our reality, the plain truth, fact, not fiction. We will have to go through much pain and suffering to get through this, unless we all lose it, then ALL BETS ARE OFF! Just pray, pray to God, or your toaster, that cooler heads prevail, and some semblence of sanity remains, otherwise, a world of hurt is about to befall us, and NO ONE can save us now, from an eventual sovereign debt default.

    Eat hardy, sleep well now my friends, because that will be a thing of the past very, very soon,

    God Bless you all, and Merry Christmas! I LOVE AMERICA.

    Report Post »  
    • Sgt.Crust
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:49pm

      Indeed Border, you are better prepped than I am, but I have everything you have, just in wee bit smaller quantities, LOL. Yes, I will see you sometime in the HILLS!

      Report Post »  
  • EZDOZIT
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:12am

    Just double the taxes on us, so public employees will not have to suffer with the rest of us. Promblem solved!

    Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:10am

    Governor Christie is an amazing, honest, stand up guy who has the backbone to tell it like it is. He will not be intimidated and sit and whine and make excuses – he knows the enormous problem this country faces starting with the states. I say hey NJ step aside and share him – think we could him in the Whitehouse!!! STOP the spending of money we don’t have. Wake up America – everyone should make sure that if friends and family did not see this video – make sure they do!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Thighmaster
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:06am

    So does government spend too much or are we really collecting too little tax. If we pay more would they spend less? Which came first, the chicken or the egg. Such burning questions….

    Report Post » Thighmaster  
  • Everett Bennett Jr
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:03am

    Maybe Obama’s buddy George Soros can help them out. Maybe Michael Moore, you know the rich who really don’t need their money. Hey, maybe, the Kennedys’ can pitch in too.

    Report Post » Everett Bennett Jr  
    • 123abc
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:51am

      They don’t want to help, they want us to fail. America Haters.

      Report Post »  
  • Everett Bennett Jr
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:56am

    Oh well!

    Report Post » Everett Bennett Jr  
  • dpselfe
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:52am

    Which political party has been in control of the largest failing states? That ought to tell you all you need to know.

    Report Post » dpselfe  
    • 2gether
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 6:09pm

      Being a resident of NYS I know exactly what you are saying. Yesterday I listened to a couple people say the only way to get anything accomplished with property taxes was to get larger collective bargaining units together so that they could get more “unifom concessions”…seriously!?Here is a good one. NYS cannot release nearly 1200 teachers who have been relieved from their teaching positions because of misconduct or ineptitude. They remain on fully paid administrative leave and although the unions will tell you that they are subs and fill in positions in other districts, (why should they be teaching anywhere?) the truth is they don’t have to take any position or substitute at any time…and why should they when they can sit around collecting a full pay check and just say no? But I am a firm believer that the game is never over until you quit and go home. That ain‘t happening in America because most of us aren’t quitters and most of don’t cheat to win. We will do what we have to do to restore the great image our country once had. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS THROUGHOUT THE COMING NEW YEAR.

      Report Post »  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:45am

    we have a new govenor here in Okla. our first female govenor and she is a republican and i did vote for her but to be honest i don’t know how good she will be remains to be seen but i sure like N.J’s govenor, others should be more like him

    Report Post »  
    • Reagan/Demint.deciple
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:20am

      Didn’t do any digging in her voting records ? Or her views ?? You should’nt just pull the lever because there is an “ R ” next to the name.. Thats how we got a Marxist in the white house, voters were looking at the skin color and ignoring his voting record/political views not to mention his closest associates..
      Anyway, good luck and I hope everything works out fine because I love Okla. If i ever leave Florida that would be my choice to live … :~)

      Report Post » one years food ration like glenn says  
    • Sgt.Crust
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 5:51pm

      Yes Reagan/Demint, a truth you tell! No one bothered to read our dear leaders books and just pulled the lever called hope and change. Ah, no matter he is a Marxist, we can just vote him out in 4 years, WELL LOOK at all the damage he has done ALREADY! Just like the peanut farmer and his democratic majority did in the 70′s, and we are still feeling that today! CRA act of 1977 set this housing crisis in motion…so you see the ignorant vote is a reality!

      Report Post »  
  • Cabo King
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:41am

    what we need is more Unions!!!! yeah thats the answer, Heil Unions

    Report Post » Cabo King  
    • starman70
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:50am

      Hey that would be great! Then we could have UNIONS fighting UNIONS, all trying to get a bigger piece of the retirememt pie.

      Report Post »  
  • ofnet776
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:38am

    The problem comes from public sector unions and their demands have crippled this country and they are not apologizing for their greed, they aren’t sorry for the mess they have created at all. All they want is to work until they are 50 and then go on their merry ways. It’s just wrong what they have done and continue to do. How do you think Jerry Brown, Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer just to name a few got re-elected this time, it was union turnout and their vote for legislatures they control.

    Report Post »  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:14pm

      The problem comes from us having put up with them and allowed them to get to this point. WE are at fault.

      Report Post »  
    • franknshadow
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:37pm

      May have something to do with voting machines being in the control of SEIU locals in Nevada.. My family lives in Vegas, and they have no clue as to how Dingy Harry got re-elected, again.. Public opinion was heavily in favor of whats her name, and Harry Reid was a joke, right up until the election results started coming in and Harry started celebrating before 20% of the vote was counted.. Some found that kinda odd..

      Report Post » PrfctlyFrank  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:37am

    Enjoy The Blaze while you can, the Obamunists are getting ready to take over the Internet.

    http://tinyurl.com/2fp8lq6

    How will we survive in a post-liberty America?

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • MamaofJ5
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:51am

      Then we’ll knock on doors, stand on street corners, teach our children. I have got a very big mouth, and I am not shy about expressing my beliefs. To quit me is to put me in the ground.

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:18am

      MAMAOFJ5, we will all stand together. If the Commies shut us down it will be the end of them.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:51am

      right behind ya.. Since I live in IL there is NOT a lot of conservative media and I still won’t watch MSM propaganda..thing is what they are not getting is PEOPLE get much of their information from WATCHING them on C-span, 1,2 and 3 let them try to take those off and all heck will break lose.. so as usual they MISS the point..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • moosebeeusa
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 2:53pm

      Is the crises the government needs to control us going to happen before 2011?

      Happy crises New Year!

      Report Post »  
  • starman70
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:37am

    Saw part of that story on FOX NEWS this morning. Gov. Christie is right on and the Union Rank and File should listen to him. The Union leadership has used leverage to feather their own nests off the backs of the union members and when it comes down to the nitty gritty, the union‘s leaders don’t care because they have made their millions. Oh, yes, they will whip up demonstrations, even riots but the ones who will get hurt will be the workers. The leadership will retire to their luxury suites paid for by the union members off their dues. Workers, GET REAL! Take your unions back from the self serving leadership! Realize that the retirement benefits program as it now stands in untenable.

    In California, when ONE firefighter retires under State Retirement, it takes THIRTEEN firefighters paying into the system to fund his retirement. (The money he has paid in has already been spent.) As it now stands, when those THIRTEEN firefighters retire, it will take ONE HUNDRED SIXTY NINE firefighters paying into the system to keep it solvent. The numbers increase expotentially as more retirees enter the system. Now add police, government office workers, highway dept. workers and hundreds of other positions and you can see what a snowball really looks like. Just look at Greece and other European countries!

    Report Post »  
    • Sgt.Crust
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:26am

      I am HERO and DESERVE, LOL! go to youtube and search that, just amazing, and just one little piece of the lies and greed!

      Report Post »  
  • Olygal
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:34am

    I just hope Christie can fix NJ and provide a model for the rest of the country, then run for President in 2012.

    Report Post » Olygal  
  • JohnQTaxpayer
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:32am

    At the end of American society, looking back and seeing where we went wrong

    Well here we are near the end, 233 years have passed; anyone who really chooses to look can see the coming carnage. As far as countries have gone we are still young. We were born out of revolution and we now descend back into revolution. The coming revolution will be unlike the past struggle that formed this country, of a united people against the oppression of a foreign potentate for freedom and self-determination. This new revolution will be an internal skirmish between the American haters, communists, Marxist, socialist, progressives, liberal democrats, unions and the welfare class, against the productive, private sector workers, conservatives, entrepreneurs, business owners, wealthy, and anyone who is a taxpayer. The battle will be over taking private earned income and possessions away from those who earned it and giving it to anyone who doesn’t want to work.

    The United States of America without a doubt is the greatest civilization in the history of the world. We over the past 230 years have advanced mankind further that all the civilizations combined over the past 3000 years. We watched as the power of the individual propelled this country to be an example of the greatest mankind could be. Thomas Edison illuminated the world, Jonas Salk the polio vaccine, Edwin Hubble the universe of stars, Alexander Graham Bell the telephone, James Madison the freedom we have, Henry Ford the automobile, Orville and Wilbur Wright the airplane, all distinctly American and wonderfully individual. These people had one common thread; the awesome power of the mind and spirit of the American can do attitude. These people did not wait for the government to tell them to do the wonderful things they accomplished; they just did what their hearts and minds told them to do, be successful.

    There should be no doubt that as Americans, we have potential far greater than any of the past or possibly future civilizations. American was founded on freedom like the world had never seen before. Americans remain the most unique group of free people in the world. The founding of this nation was so perfect in its birth that we are the direct product of that careful planning. The constitution and bill of rights were not just words on paper; they were blueprints to ensure continuous freedom and prosperity for a nation far into the future.

    So here we are today September 2010 good men created this country, they left it to “We the People” to care for it and preserve it for the future generations to enjoy life, liberty and prosperity. “We the People” have stood silent while we let evil men and women destroy the gift that was entrusted to us 233 years ago.

    Let’s look back at the few fatal flaws that have brought us to the point of no return and destruction.

    This has happened just in the past 50 years.

    Social Security trust fund, stealing from the lockbox

    Why on earth do “We the People” keep voting back in the thieves who stole and keep stealing from the SSI trust fund? Fact it is the SSI empty trust fund is underfunded 14 trillion dollars. http://www.usdebtclock.org/ Reality; politicians STOLE 14 trillion dollars and replaced it with IOU’s for the future taxpayers to pay. Reality today; Social Security is bankrupt, this is an undisputable fact. If you paid into Social Security your money was stolen by the politicians, why aren’t you angrier? Or is it you are just too stupid to understand what has happened.
    Did anyone think this was going to end well?

    Encouraging people whom have proven they have no ability to care for themselves, to have offspring.

    Why would anyone ever think of anything so unbelievably stupid? Take a person unable or unwilling to do what is necessary to take care of just themselves, and pay them for every child they have. We wonder why society is falling apart. Who is the dummy who thought this one up; they should be drowned in a toilet. New York just gave welfare recipients a raise, and the state is facing a government shutdown due to a 9 billion dollar debt.
    Did anyone think this was going to end well?

    Protecting the sovereignty of our borders

    Look back at history; did any entity who did not keep their borders ever survive? This concept is real simple a King protects his castle with a moat, a country secures its citizens with a border, city has the city limits, your house has barriers to unlawful entry called, doors. All the rest of the world understands this why don’t we? Very simple Illegal immigrant = lawbreaker, if we cannot get this simple concept right we do not deserve to continue as a nation.
    Did anyone think this was going to end well?

    Balanced Federal Budget

    What is so difficult about this? Only spend what you take in, in taxes. Every person knows no one can spend more than they make for very long, or bad things will happen. It is no different if a country does it. Not only did we do it but we are still spending more than we take in, the numbers are growing to inconceivable amounts. We are bankrupt.
    Why did we expect this to end any other way?

    Reducing our Educational Standards to the Lowest Common Denominator

    http://www.highereducationsolution.com/page/view/id/34

    http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_spe_per_sec_sch_stu-spending-per-secondary-school-student

    The closest we come in rankings is number 15. However we spend like number 3. We have dammed ourselves to being the stupidest nation in the world.
    Someone really thought this was going be a good thing?

    I now ask you the reader are any of these 5 things difficult to understand? Do you need to be a doctor of finance to comprehend these issues? It is not like we have not been warned, Ayn Rand warned us 70 years ago not to go down this path, and did we listen NO. (If you have not read “Atlas Shrugged” you should) Did we use our minds, and look at Greece (both past and present) Rome, Germany, and many more, right there before us in plain sight to see, NO.

    What did we the people do, we became Pavlov’s Dogs, salivating into pacifism to the sweet song of political lies and promises. Will we even whimper as our freedoms are taken away, USA voter turnout rates are about 30%? We the people should be ashamed, in third world countries citizens risk death to be able to vote, they have 90% + voter turnout at elections.

    We did not even fight for our freedoms; we just gave up and stayed home.

    When the dust settles I hope we will not make the same mistakes again.

    JQT

    Report Post » JohnQTaxpayer  
    • Sgt.Crust
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 2:47pm

      Very well stated, and I agree with you! American exceptionalism is based on Liberty and Freedom, not tyranny, entitlements and confiscation!

      Report Post »  
    • guyperram
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 7:55pm

      Very well stated, however everything was done with a purpose. We now see the end result they having been striving for for almost 100 years.
      One small piece at a time, until the total is impossible to sustain. Pure Cowell and Piven.
      The real problem is that when the shooting starts we have almost no chance whatsoever to rebuild what we have lost. That is the scary part. I doubt if there is any way we can actually put this genie back into it’s box.

      Report Post »  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:31am

    We need to clone Christie and fill Congress with him…

    Report Post » IndyGuy  
    • heavyduty
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:47am

      The only problem with cloning him, is that if the people of the state won’t accept him then there is no hope for them. Sometimes you just make the stupid understand that if they keep walking they are going off the end. Then if that is the case then you just have to let them. I am like you, on it would be nice to see Christi fill up Congress.

      Report Post »  
    • guyperram
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:26am

      He is a good guy. But even he admits that it is to little, to late. Get ready for the party to begin. Make sure you have at least a years food supply in your pantry, This party will be something never experienced before. It will not just be us, we all go down.
      Those stupid Founding Fathers and their “coin” money. Didn’t they know the printing press was quicker, and it is so much easier to change denominations! We are just so much smarter today!
      Not!
      Guess who is on the $100,000 bill. Our favorite president; Woodrow Wilson.

      Report Post »  
  • The Rebel
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:23am

    They should have never had a separate retirement plan in the first place! If social security is good enough for us peons that support the government then they should have been on it too!!!

    Report Post »  
    • guyperram
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:42am

      If you think the public workers have it made, take a look at the golden parachute our congress has given themselves. They were also exempted from participation in Obamacare.
      It’s good to be a theif.

      Report Post »  
    • MamaofJ5
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:48am

      Amen Rebel.

      Report Post »  
    • wildjoker5
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:07am

      Social security was never meant for us peons. It was meant for physically/mentally handicaped people that could not work, and “older” widows of war vets that were never allowed to work back in those days. Social security was designed as actual help towards the ones that couldn’t actually help themselves. If you worked for 40 years(20-60 y/o) and you didnt save to retire, you should keep working and not expect my money to go to you.

      Report Post »  
    • TEIN
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:24am

      Wild, SS was for peon..it was to be a federal retirement fund…it was to be volunteer contribution…the issue, it was working too well. Worker’s were paying into the fund and it was growing and working as designed, except that Congress could not touch the funds…So Congress being as caring as it is attached social programs on until SS became mandatory for every one pay, because the social programs were draining the coffers faster than people were paying into it……

      Report Post »  
  • guyperram
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:17am

    Read “Broke”. If you have any doubt about what they have done to us, then if you still doubt what has been done to us, you had better re-read it. Talk about screwed!
    Every comgressman, state rep, etc. that every voted for this stuff should be tried as criminals. We have been saying, since before I was born, that defict spending doesn’t work. Guess what, the “stupid, unwashed masses” were correct!

    Report Post »  
    • frgough
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:09am

      Physician, heal thyself. They are there because the American voter put them there.

      Report Post »  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:33am

      Hopefully the voters that put them there learned something. Unfortunately, alot of people who vote for the socialists are uninformed voters and they will continue to listen to the spin regarding the GOP and conservatives. The ones who depend on social programs are always going to vote for the free-bees instead of what is best for the country as a whole.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:11pm

      Agreed. Fareed Zakiria (however you spell it) was right. We did this to ourselves. We elect these bastards. We RE-ELECT them. Everyone of the congressional delegation in Oklahoma who voted for the bailouts was rewarded with re-election. Mary Fallin was rewarded with governership. I left the slot blank when the cow won the primary. Stupid Okies, bitch, whine, and complain, then send all of them back to office. I am quite certain this goes on all over the republic. WE HAVE GOTTEN WHAT WE VOTED FOR. It is OUR fault. Time to take responsibility and fix it. By fixing us. Keep up the good work Glenn Beck.

      Report Post »  
    • Creestof
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:29pm

      I think we ought to sell California to Mexico and get it over with. Use the proceeds to not only finish the border fencing, but extend it as well.

      Report Post »  
  • NickDeringer
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:17am

    Please run for POTUS.

    Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!

    Report Post » NickDeringer  
    • Mister President
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:17pm

      Christie is too smart to run for President. He knows the job isn’t worth it anymore.

      Under this system, where Congress can stop the President and the President can stop the Congress, nothing meaningful can or will get done. The system was designed that way. However, the system has corrupted with the limiting of the size of Congress – originally there was supposed to be one Representative for every 30,000 people, obviously too many today but 435 isn’t nearly enough. And, with the direct election of Senators, the Senate was corrupted by the need for campaign finance.

      Without a good, tough, fiscal conservative President who doesn’t owe anyone anything for putting him in office and a super-majority of fiscal conservatives who will make tough cuts and not apologize in both Chambers, it is impossible to fix our problems fast enough to amount to anything. Spending needs to be cut on a level never before considered – 40%, at least – across the board. Not to mention the states, which are addicted to Federal money like heroin.

      Christie is too smart to want to deal with that. Would you want to deal with that?

      Report Post » Mister President  
    • Skwerl E. Muckenfutch
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 2:20pm

      You can‘t have him until we’re done with him. What’s more- you shouldn’t have him until the Congress is purged of the halfwits and progressives…can’t be effective with your hands tied!

       
  • tower7femacamp
    Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:10am

    Of course the States will collapse
    It Really is Game over !

    Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:16am

      No offense NJ, but I’d really like to steal your governor and make him my President oneday soon. I’d give you our governor Rick Perry in exchange, but I won’t insult you in such an obvious way.

      TXPilot  
    • wildjoker5
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:17am

      Is it any surprise that the biggest failing states and towns/cities are the ones with the largest population on government assistance?

      Report Post »  
    • Rational Man
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:22am

      I don’t know how it could be made any clearer.
      The real American greed is on the progressive side of the fence. Namely unions and other progressive special interest groups. They will spend their own childrens future away so they have nothing!

      Report Post » Rational Man  
    • TruthTalker
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:24am

      Whatever, as long as we keep handing out the funds to the libs, they will be happy…

      Report Post »  
    • Conservativeman
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:27am

      The states were helped out with the Obama stimulus, all they had to do to get the money was sign up to spend money they didn’t have to support the programs after the stimulus money ran out. Does that sound like someone giving a heroin addict more heroin to treat the addiction.

      Stock up on commodities, were in for a long hard crash.

      Report Post » Conservativeman  
    • wildjoker5
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:31am

      Rational Man

      They have already said they don’t care what happens down the road, they will be dead. They have stated this with the estate tax. The Liberals want to spend as much as they can because they care for no one else but themselves, and they don’t care what happens when they die, as long as they had fun. AS much work they put into getting your money, they could have just gone and got a job, but that means 40 hr work weeks, 50 weeks a year. Campaired to their 20 hr work weeks 30 weeks a year making $175k/year jobs they have as congress members.

      Report Post »  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:53am

      TXPILOT
      it is really a shame the weiny rick snyder. He sounds like Obama. he thinks talking is effective.
      I always respected doing. But this is what you get when dems vote repub.

      Libertyluvnmomma  
    • ltb
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:15am

      Huckabee / Christie 2012 has a nice ring.

      Report Post » ltb  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:27am

      Christie/ Jindall

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • Colonial Revolutionary
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:36am

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOshw4kIGR4

      How did we get to this point?

      Report Post » Colonial Revolutionary  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:40am

      The states implode on their budgets and the Feds will ‘declare takeover for national security interests’ in another coup based on Van Jone’s top down, bottom up and inside out principle.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • TheAntiProgressive
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:46am

      @ wildjoker5; Excellent point. Let me add that the biggest states with the biggest cities (CA, IL, NY, NJ) are all controled by Democrats – That’s Demo as in Demolition.

      Report Post » TheAntiProgressive  
    • SavvyCowboy
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:46am

      If you want to see a prime example of the complete and utter failure of libralism, look no further than ANY Indian reservation. If “Uncle” doesn’t provide on those reservations, it isn’t going to happen. Nepotism is pandemic and when their “government” changes hands (new tribal counci members), most people who hold “Indian gov’t jobs” are replaced with friends of the council. This is what Amerika will look like if we don’t stop this insanity.

      Chris Christy needs to run for President – he‘ll win and we’ll began to crush the communist take over of the US.

      Report Post » SavvyCowboy  
    • Shurmus
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:51am

      Chris Christie is the political canary in the coalmine??? Maybe he is…but he is a more beautiful yellow than when he went in.

      These people have lost their freaking minds…Christie is a stud. His predecessor was a moronic dolt that could lie better than Biden, and that is something.

      Beck looks smarter every day…and the left is warming up their teeth for some world-class gnashing…

      Report Post » Shurmus  
    • CultureWarriors
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:25am

      wildjoker5 : Good point. Is it any wonder that the failing states are where liberals reign? Where liberals have had control for decades? For all liberals out there that are too dense to figure it out, this means liberalism is a failure..

      Report Post » CultureWarriors  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:39am

      ltb.. bad ring to it.. while I love Huck he’s a moderate.. on ALL subjects..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:40am

      untameable-kate.. Now that’s better..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:47am

      TheAntiProgressive.. since I am from IL I have to tell you things here are bad.. we are STILL being run by DEMOCRAT who ran us into this place we are in CHICAGO being the BIGGEST drain on social services.. People are leaving the state.. my husband and I have discussed it seriously.. I am not worried about leaving my family behind I have a feeling they will be following if we move.. Democrats still hold the majority and the head Democrat is a spend spend spend Progressive anyone with a job is disgusted with him.. Actually the state going bankrupt would be the BEST thing that happens to it..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • BlueStrat
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:19pm

      The answer to this is quite simple, but nobody is saying it.

      Disband current and outlaw future public-sector unions altogether, and slash the pensions already in the system. Force all unions to fully fund all their rank-&-file pension plans within 90 days or the leaders face felony charges, personal property & asset seizure, and imprisonment for fraud, embezzlement, etc.

      If they strike, fine. Like going without parts of the federal government wasting our hard-earned money for a week or so would be a bad thing. Just tell them to keep one thing in mind; if you strike you won’t have a job to come back to, just like Reagan told the air traffic controllers in the ’80s.

      Report Post »  
    • Bullcop34
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:33pm

      Huckabee/Christie? Jindal/Christie? Huckabee is not as conservative as needed and he is too willing to compromise. Jindal truely is not a conservative and is unwilling to cut taxes and spending in my state which translates to a weak leader that can’t keep his word. Christie -Palin ticket sounds better. Palin has proved her words with action in her state as their governor and Christie is doing the same thing right now. Why in Gods name would you want people that talk a good game but have NEVER proved it or even tried to back it up?

      Report Post » Bullcop34  
    • joseph Fawcett
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 12:51pm

      Thank God for Gov Christy. It is now time to roll back goverment, cut it’s funding so that it cannot spend, reduce it’s roll in our lives including being a major employer of everything especially schools. No goverment worker should be a Union member and tough on the penions and benifits. Healthcare is not a right and since the goverment got involved in paying for some the costs and charges have gone through the roof, making it unaffordable for those without insurance. I say cut the goverment totally out of these areas and get them back to protecting the country, and building the roads and maitaining the opportunity for us to try to live our dreams out. No globalization, no treaties, especially trade treaties, no rules and regulations. We can take care of those things ourselves, we can make our own agreements, build our businesses, and employ each other, educate our children, and be accountable to God, each other, and the country without the fed, state, and local goverments mandating our every move, and thought. It is because we have become lazy and allowed those in goverment to control our lives that we are in this mess and now it is time we take the responsiblity of it and get ourselves out of it. It is time for each of us to say enough is enough we are responisble and not our goverments. Our goverments have proven that they are not responsible and cannot be trusted with the public interest. It is time for individuals who are responsible to step up and take control of getting goverment back into control and reducing the debt and paying off what is owed. Doing that without spending more! If that means that trash collection is organized by private companies and snow removal is paid directly to a private company by the citizens then so be it. We have to go back to the form of goverment that our founders constructed and built. We the people have to do this now, the time is now, and if not us, then who?

      http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist

      Report Post » joseph Fawcett  
    • Elrik68
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 3:08pm

      Bump.. TxPilot

      Report Post » Kromlik  
    • suttonea76
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 4:22pm

      Just goes to show you that big government cannot sustain itself. The private sector has proved that they are capable of sustaining and even improving. Congress should draft a law eliminating the union involvement into state and federal programs. Unions are evil and have been sucking the tax dollars out of states for decades. Christie is ignoring the naysayers and doing the right thing. If a private sector company owes money and doesn’t pay, they file bankruptcy and lose assets and property. If the government owes money and doesn’t pay, they borrow, print and extend deadlines to pay. The rules do not apply to state and federal employees as they are sustained throughout the crisis when the tax generating businesses are left with a pink slip. Capitalism works, but not in the face of a depleting private sector work force. Thanks DEMS for once again screwing up a perfectly, sustainable system. Too much power and too little intellect to manage it.

      Report Post » suttonea76  
    • Rights of Man
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 4:29pm

      Such a shame.

      I blame this on the right and their fat, dumb and happy attitude over the last 20 years. Lazy Republicans who absolutely refuse to risk anything to fight the anti-American Progressives who are out to break our backs and usher in socialism.

      The Dems know how to fight. The right? Well, they’re busy defending our tearful “representatives” and doing their best to hide their cowardly behavior.

      Report Post » Rights of Man  
    • So
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 8:01pm

      Christie, why aren’t there more elected officials like you? How can those that spend like drunken sailors continue to do so without consequence? Are there no checks and balances until everything is completely broken?

      The everyday Joe knows how to budget, knows when the wallet is empty. If the everyday Joe spends what he doesn’t have, he goes to jail. But our elected officials are protected from laws. How is that? They are supposed to serve us! And they rob and work the system for their own gain. Worse than your garden variety crooks. Much larger scale. Look at Rangle. He evaded his taxes for what, 17 years?!? He got a slap on the wrist. Wesley Snipes got a raw deal! He evaded his taxes for much less time and he’s sitting in prison.

      The laws need to apply to everyone equally. Elected officials should be held accountable and sent to jail for the crimes they commit. We send them to represent us and if they are crooks, lock them up!!!
      Our states would be much better off, and maybe we could get some decent people in office if they knew the consequences would apply if they didn’t tow the line.

      They get away with so much, it makes me sick.

      Report Post »  
    • bulletsinthegun
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 9:53pm

      This Is Obama’s fault, this is on his watch, the states have made their own mess but he has helped them with is free for all spending, it will never recover as we once new, Thank you Gov Christie for fighting for us, PLEASE RUN FOR PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE MY VOTE

      bulletsinthegun  
    • Modawg734Blue
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 10:56pm

      @RightsofMan,
      Yes and No, After reading your post, I had to be honest with myself. Why didn’t We the People do anything 20 years ago? Ultimately as the Final Check and Balance on Government, it was our responsibility. We were fat dumb and happy in a pile of sh#%. We new the ship was way off course, but we kept saying what can I do. Bottom line is we are in the middle of the mine field, and a storm is beginning to toss the ship. It’s to late to point fingers, we need a real Captain, because the one we have now is intentionally trying to sink the ship. And, we need a miracle. This country has to return to its foundation. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. This is our only Hope.

      Report Post »  
    • getalong
      Posted on December 20, 2010 at 11:42pm

      Christie/Rubio 2012

       
    • JayJay2888
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 12:45am

      @IndependentvoterIL

      I feel you on Illinois! I was born in IL, and moved back about three years ago. This place is so frustrating. The cost of seemingly everything keeps going up, and I’ll ask from time to time if it was an increase on the product, or an increase in taxes and nine times out of ten, it’s an increase in taxes. Thankfully, I’m in the military so I can shop on base. I now refuse to do any shopping in town because of the non-stop increases in taxes. If I can’t buy it on base, I’ll drive over to Missouri to get it. Where there’s a tax, there’s a way around it. I feel bad for the small business owners, because they are the ones getting hurt, but it’s all on the shoulders of those in office being to cowardly to do the right thing.

      Report Post »  
    • Al Otto
      Posted on December 21, 2010 at 2:39pm

      Get ready for riots in your streets. when the first state fails, you’ll see the unrest rise. It is then you’ll see how wonderful net neutrality will become. it will become state only message. Obama has only one thing correct, community organizing. We need to organize and become prepared, we can not permit the unruly to run rampant, nor can we permit a fail government from acting on our behalf, for they are the ones who created this mess. Lock N Load its a term that needs to be recited

      Report Post »  
    • klindgren
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 4:30pm

      Christie/Palin ‘12

      Report Post »  
    • SearchForTruth
      Posted on December 22, 2010 at 5:40pm

      Why should a child born 10 years from now in 2020 have to pay for the debt incurred by a state legislature in 1998? That child didn’t vote for it, and didn’t benefit from it. That’s REALLY taxation without representation. In NJ, the massive debt goes back longer than that. We haven’t balanced the budget in at least 30 years, except by floating bonds which our children will have to pay off. And what if they can’t???

      Report Post »  
1 2 3 ... 6

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love