Loved, Admired, Hated & Despised

In a relatively short amount of time Chris Christie has become the most controversial figure in New Jersey and it would appear our Governor is just fine with being someone who is loved, admired, hated and despised. Ask someone about their feelings of Christie and you have to be prepared for a wide range of responses but more than any other state leader in recent years…or maybe even history you will likely get an opinion. In just over a year in office he has shaken up Trenton and especially state workers and unions with threats and depending on whom you speak with he is either a breath of fresh air or a bully. Some also believe he is a shining star in the Republican Party and could even surface as a Presidential candidate in 2012 or 2016. It would seem Christie has taken the approach of a popular Jersey Shore radio talk show host….”I don’t care if you love me or hate me….just don’t ignore me.”

I probably fall in line with many New Jerseyans in that I applaud his efforts to resolve problems that other Governors have ignored and let get to a point of no return. They are all to blame; Republicans and Democrats for sticking their heads in the sand and hoping problems would go away. In most cases they knew that they were leaving future generations with an empty bag but they also knew it would not be on their watch so the heck with it. Shame of them all for largely contributing to the mess we are in.

Back to the Governor who has pretty much said that he’s going to fix the mess that others have left and you are either with him or against him. That to me is the problem because we don’t live in a black and white world and have to accept that there is some gray as well. Christie is bold and brash and convinced that it’s either his way or the highway. However he was still elected to be a leader and part of my problem with him is the best leaders are those who can work with those on the opposite side. It seems on the surface that Christie is not willing to come off his bully pulpit and look to find middle ground with those who he disagrees with, especially the New Jersey Education Association. This war with the teachers union is ugly and has taken the spotlight away from education itself. While I think the NJEA is every bit (if not more) guilty of mishandling this dispute, Christie needs to take a more conciliatory approach. Now is the time for him to lead and make every attempt to solve problems by bargaining…..not bullying.