New Jersey politicians hurting, not helping middle class
Politicians say: "We're for the middle class, we feel your pain, vote for us and we will solve your problems." Politicians from both of the major parties have the best interests of the middle class as their top priorities. Or do they? Most, if not all, wellknown players in the political arena are multi-millionaires. I'm mentioning this not to criticize (lucky for them), but to state the obvious. Maybe years ago some of their families were middle class, but their current status removes them from really "feeling our pain."

A few years ago I went with my family on a trip to colonial Williamsburg, Va. While there we took a tour of the historic governor's mansion. The trip narrator (dressed in the garb of the day) told us that, years ago, if you wanted to visit the governor it all depended upon your status. If you had no status, you would have to wait outside and would never get to actually see the governor. If you had a little clout, maybe you could wait in the foyer. More status, you might even be seated and offered some tea, and so on.

Have things really changed all that much since then? I think not. If you don't think this is accurate, go down to your local town hall and ask to speak to your local representative or mayor even. Good luck. I'm not trying to be cynical here, but rather I'm stating the obvious.

The latest word from D.C. is that "they" want to investigate possible Wall Street corruption. I propose that when they are done with that job, they come here to New Jersey and check out our possible governmental wrongdoings. With all the administrators and accountants and aides, etc., I ask, why weren't we emphatically informed about our state's budget deficit way back when it would have been more manageable, as opposed to, way out of control. I propose accountability. Let's go back through the paper trail of records and find out where all this money went. If it was mishandled, then hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

This does not seem to be happening. Rather, the answer seems to be, keep using the working middle class as the fix for all the financial woes. How? By raising tolls, increasing taxes, closing parks, and cutting back on services, all of which, by the way, adversely affect the quality of life of, you guessed it, the middle class. Wow, what a deal: We pay for our government's lack of fiscal responsibility, and our ability to make ends meet gets even harder. Not good. We wouldn't want the politicians (who care so much about our pain) to punish their own, or perhaps even take responsibility for their mismanagement of our resources. No, they would rather delude themselves and us that these deficits occurred overnight by some mysterious unexplainable series of events beyond their control, which leaves no other option but to increase tolls, taxes and whatever else they can raise (including their salaries) at our expense to get the budget straightened out.

Come on, are we that ignorant? How about a little course I took in college called ethics? Whatever happened to these core values in our government? When people running for political office have millions of dollars being funneled to them and their campaigns by those sympathetic to their cause, tell me that they are not, in some way shape or form, accountable to those providing those funds. It is certainly not the average middleclass American providing these monies to the candidates.

So, I propose this question, whose interests do they (any politician) really have in mind when push comes to shove? Sure, our political system has many flaws, but it's the best one in the world. Lip service doesn't do the middle class any good. Action speaks louder than words. So, let's hold our politicians accountable for all these promises they are making. Thank you for your time, and God bless America, from a concerned registered voter.

Allan Barr East Brunswick