Governor Christie: A true executive

New Jersey is an excellent case study of what happens under Democratic Party policies. Bloated government bureaucracies, ineffective public services, high taxes, and a growing number of people feeling entitled to public money for their livelihood and pensions. These are not the conditions of a successful and thriving state. This is an example of a polity on the decline.

Other states share in this fate: California, Illinois, and New York are facing massive deficits. It is no coincidence these states are dominated by State Democratic Parties and have consistently adopted liberal policies regardless of who was in charge. So how does a polity save itself from this decline?

The answer from history is clear, but more importantly what kind of leader or executive can get it done? Governor Chris Christie is an example of a true leader and executive who is dramatically shifting the direction of New Jersey away from failure. While bureaucrats and those reliant on the status quo are crying out, he refuses to let their attacks, public criticism, biased-media criticism, and lower approval ratings deter him from policies he knows will save the state from ruin. A lesser governor would begin to moderate their policies and approach, in other words compromise with the angry and mobilized opposition. They would fear the backlash and what it would mean for their re-election chances. In contrast, Christie has repeatedly says he is not concerned with re-election, and his approach and actions bare that out.

A typical politician will see the recent events as a sign the opposition is being energized, the moderates are becoming worried, and the ruling coalition is beginning to fall apart. All of this could be true, but in the end results are more influential to voters. A bad economy, higher taxes, massive government debt, and uncertainty have a greater impact than Christie's "confrontational" demeanor in the first year of his term.

Should Christie succeed, New Jerseyans will have three years to reap the benefits of his policies. By the time 2013 comes around, Christie's bad attitude will be far from the minds of voters. It is a question of timing. Christie is sacrificing public opinion now for the payoffs later that will result from his conservative policies.

Make no mistake, there is no other way to save New Jersey. Bailouts, government handouts, and socialism are not the answer. Europe does not have the answer. California, Illinois, and New York clearly don't have the answer. Christie has the right answer, and will push that answer even if so many scream at the top of their lungs that they deserve to be paid more, deserve a big retirement pension, and deserve more influence.