http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/aronsohn_122012.html

Why should any Republican vote for 600 million more money for the EPA? The Government should not be in the business of insuring anyone. The EPA everyone seems to love in NJ should prevent everyone from rebuilding near water unless they have enough money to pay for there own damage. If the Government didn't provide flood insurance I'm sure NO one would have built homes near the ocean. Don't blame the Republicans, blame everyone who put the pork in the bill. If it's for disaster relief there should be NO PORK ADDED.

So he has concerns that there is wasteful spending in the aid bill. what do you want him to do? sign it anyway?

This bill has $24 billions in pork money not related to Sandy victims. Republicans or Democrats, It is stupid to vote for this bill when the country is broke. More power to Scott Garrett.

The idea that Scott Garrett just wants to cut pork is a diversion. This is about not wanting to pay disaster assistance, period. He has a long demonstrated history on the matter. He might also not like spending on other things that he calls pork either, but this is a case of opposing spending, regardless of need, as a generalized principle, as an unreasoned and callous matter of knee-jerk ideology.

why are the standing around freezing their butts off waiting for the government? I think the house speaker saw all the fat and pork pack into the bill and did not want to put it thru. They should have had insurance like you and i do to rebuild. It is a basic requirement. there is no reason for them to be freezing their butts off and they are not.

If this was about pork spending then why are you arguing the case for "personal responsibility?"

Either (1) relief aid is GOOD and the government should help out but the pork needs to be trimmed, or (2) relief aid is BAD because it trains people to hold their hands out instead of standing on their own two feet and so the idea of pork is moot because spending is bad regardless.

You can not maintain consistency and argue both ways.

That last hallween ordeal my basement got flooded and they gave me 17,000 without even sending out someone. There are people that submit ridiculous claims that may be turned down. My claim was truthful and it probably rang true to the appraiser so he just sent a check.

Dan, If the government gives money to rebuild the area what happens when that area gets hit again? We rebuild it again? and again? don't you realize we are out of money? I am a tea party person. You sound like a communist. Well don't worry, NJ will get their money in the end. The cost will be the country's economy and a destroyed dollar. If the insurance are wiggling out of paying then take them to court. Why does the tax payer have to bail them out? How can you say individualism makes for a bad society? It actually makes for a great, strong society. remember there is charity, and americans are very charitable.

$336 million in Amtrak expenses, $4 Million to purchase new vehicles for the FBI, $12.9 BILLION for Public Transportation to be allocated for future projects, $150 million for fisheries as far away from the storm’s path as Alaska, $2 million to repair the roofs of Museums,…oh, there’s more.

How about $5.3 BILLION for the Army Corps of Engineers, which is more than their annual budget, $50 Million in subsidies for Tree Planting, $15 Million for NASA, $41 Million to clean up Military bases including Guantanamo Bay, $20 Million for a nationwide Water Resources Priorities Study, $5 Million to projects in rural Nevada (Harry Reid‘s state), and 5 more Million for Central New Mexico.

In all, there is almost $30 Billion dollars in additional spending tacked to the Hurricane Sandy bill that the Republican’s are refusing to vote on.

The gullible and uninformed will once again denounce Republicans’ as uncaring, selfish, and vindictive.

Those who know better should applaud them!

Well, it is like this Scondo. It appears this tax revenue is too expensive to keep rebuilding every time the ocean goes haywire. If the tax revenue goes down then the government needs to down size. You can wipe those homes off the map. they can take their insurance money and go elsewhere with it. You can't keep rebuilding in flood plains over and over and over. We are in a depression. So people will lose money. I have lost money before, government never bailed me out. I am fairly wealthy now, i recovered. it was just hard work fighting back, but I did it, and I am no genius, as you will joke back that that is obvious. But it proves that these people can recover on their own without being bailed out. the government saved their lives, not they can use their health to get their hands dirty and pull themselves out of that mess from here.

Diana, WRONG. If the area was so productive there would be plenty of money going there to rebuild without the government. If it were a 60 billion dollar gold mine then the people would not be waiting for the government to run in with the money. Trump would be there buying up and loaning out. the fact is it will be throwing good money away. Money we don't have. You need to go back to school and learn economics over again.

I agree that everything that goes to a state not hit by the hurricane should be tossed but you do realize that with respect to the roofs of those museums, they did get tangentally hit down in DC by the storm and some of those roofs are over 100 years old. They do need to be fixed every so often and since we the people own them, one way or the other you will pay to fix them.

Do you have a road in front of your house John? YES. I paid for it.
Did your kids go to public school? YES, regretably after I pay my property taxes i don't have the money to put them into private school. I don't want them to turn out to be a dependant socialist crybabies.
did you every use the resources of a library? No I never really have not.
Do you have a bank account in a federally insured bank? Yes
No John you did not build it yourself. Build what? I pretty much built everything i have accumulated myself and family.
Does public transit help you or you business? Does my business help the public? Yes it does.
You call me a communist ? You sound like it to me. Remember we spent trillions of dollars fighting communism and fascism? Just to have it home grown.
You don't even know me but that is the tea party way. Yes. the taxed enough already party. We feel that the government should get by with less that half our earnings.
Fortunately people are turning from you point of view and when enough of them have I hear the unibombers cabin is empty and you should consider moving there.

Well, I am not stupid enough to fight i know i will lose my life and family, I am making plans to leave the country before Obama's the forth Reich takes hold.
I don't understand how so many people like yourselves were raised to think it was a requirement to have guarantees in life.

Dan like most roads in front of someone’s home Private Enterprise built them, not the government. As far as public education, yes my children went to public school, but funny thing, the property taxes I paid for that public education are 20 times more than what a private school costs, but I’m forced to pay for public education even if I don’t use it.

Do you have a bank account in a federally insured bank? Yes I do, and I pay a heavy penalty for that, as my accounts outside of those federally insured banks return 5 to 8 times what the bank does. As far as public transportation, it neither helps me or my business, but I’m charged for it none the less.

BTW if the FDIC needs to bail out a bank, whose money do they use?

No Dan, I don’t consider you a communist. I consider you a lowly wimp who is afraid to stand on his own two feet and is too blind to see the government can give you nothing it first doesn’t have to take from you!

Edward, You call me a wimp and yet I have stood before the public with my name on the ballot, attended public forums and had my opinions of local govern heard and publically questioned. I have won 5 elections as a Demcrat in a Township which is overwhelmingly Republican. Have you? You type away but have you ever stood up infront of your neighbors because I have. If you live in a developement it may be true that the developer built those roads but not the municipal, County or State highways you use. Did you ever hear about the interstate highway system started by Ike. You didn't pay for your childrens education. The average cost of a childs education is about $12-14 thousand per year so since 65 percent of that education comes tax dollars someone else picks up the rest of the tab unless you pay $25,000 in property taxes per child and I doubt you do. You are just another ignorant person thinking they are the only ones that matter and are somehow superior to the rest of us. John the same gos for you. People like you don't belong in a civil society that wants to move forward to a better life for all.

Edward: "like most roads in front of someone’s home Private Enterprise built them, not the government.

Are you saying that you live in a private development community with privately maintained roads, or do you not know who built the road in front of your house/apartment?

Edward: "the property taxes I paid for that public education are 20 times more than what a private school costs"

Really? NJ private school tuition averages about $20,000 per student. You refer to your children in plural form. So assuming you have just two children, your cost would be about $40,000 per year. You say that the taxes you paid for their public education are 20 times more then that. Assuming that 100% of your property tax bill goes to your children's public school education, which it doesn't, that would that mean that you pay $800,000 a year in property taxes. I don't believe you.

Edward: "As far as public transportation, it neither helps me or my business,"

Bull. Even if you don't use public transportation, if you or your business (if you really have one) interact with anyone, then you depend on their ability to get around.

laughing my ass off. I spotted this grant guy right off. Nice catch. I didn't think nj had anyone like me left.

I think it is funny that you are up late researching me and my water bill. There is no doubt that I like millions of other people have hit hard times after a life time of paying but that said it still doesn't change my right to bring the truth to ignorant, pontificating people like you guys. It isn't something I would do but you obviously have a different value system.

So you are one of the politicians responsible for our demise. One that spent my children's money she hasn't even earned yet. You are one of the ones that was so generous with her future. Yes we do have a different value system. You have no idea what your value system has done to the future of this country. How many government checks do you get a month?

There are thousands of us here John; sadly, there are thousands of Dans too!

46 million on food stamps alone and lord knows how many others on what type of government handouts.

BTW, did you know the biggest tax loophole in the world is given to people who had their houses given to them like Dan? (oh sorry, he actually paid $1.00 for it) I think people who receive such gifts should be taxed the same monthly amount they would pay if they had to make monthly mortgage payments like the rest of us, and then that money should be earmarked to federal debt reduction, or even better building a road, because you know the government builds roads --- NOT! !

Riddle me this too John. How can one live in Montville NJ, and pay under $1,900.00 a year in Property taxes? (hint Mt. Laurel)

http://php.app.com/mod4_10/results.php?county=Morris&muniprop=Montville&location_num=&location_st=&owner=grant&Submit=Search&classname=%25&descp=

BTW, did you notice how our esteemed law makers magically raised the “rich” mark passed their already inflated salaries! Financial Cliff my a$$!

PS. Dan favored “The Journals” printing of gun owners address. He called it public information that he has a right to. So I guess he would mine me putting some of his public information up here either! Late on his water bill. So the fool thinks every other person in Montville should buck up and pay for his water. Or maybe he just thinks the government should just give it to him for free!

Now I am getting a much better picture of the likes of Grant. He hardly pays any taxes and doesn't even pay his bills but is very generous with making other people pay. Now I understand. He gets away with paying a hundred dollars a month in montville to live. Wow. Ed... Don't you think Grant can afford to pay just a little bit more in taxes. Since when is selfishness a virtue anyway. He must have extra money left over after he pays his bills. he can surely send more of it to the government, or me. I pay 10 times more in property taxes than he does. That is not fair. Why should I have to pay more taxes than Grant. He should man up and come bail me out of my tax bill. Yeah, I would like to know what the story was on that house purchase for a dollar. What kind of corruption happened there?

Yes Dan, we do have a different value system. I PAY my BILLS

Also Dan, I’m on a well, and when it breaks I have to dig real deep (no pun intended) in my pocket and shell out 4 or 5 thousand dollars if I want my water back. I do not have the luxury of deferring payment to the well repair people, because I’ve fallen on “Hard Times.” That aside Dan, I see you are still connected to the Internet. What does that cost you a year $500.00? I bet you have a cell phone too. How much is that a year another $500.00. Do you have two cars? What’s that a couple thousands a year? How about a big screen TV? I’m sure you do!
But you expect, no force, all your Montville neighbors to carry your load by not paying your water bill.

I think Dan, the government should come to your house and shut off your water until you pay up. I bet you’ll drop your internet and cell phone service like a hot potato, right along with selling a car and that Big Screen, and maybe even your computer too.

But not you Dan. No Dan you believe you are entitled to everything everyone else worked their a$$es off for just because you are alive. Right Dan? A quick search of jobs in your area shows literally hundreds of them. Many requiring “some college” and not too much other knowledge. Get your a$$ off the Internet, get a job and pay your water bill you parasite!

Yes Dan, we do have a different value system. I pay my bills, and I don't get dragged into court and forced by a judge to retract lies I spewed about other people.

http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/soussa-v-grant

The link had an error, but i am dyeing to see it!

Sorry about that John -- Try this:

http://goo.gl/fxRqa

Ed, we are on the same page, but I can't articulate like you can. I have the concept born in my blood, I just don't know how to say it like you can. but i know what is constitutional and what is not. My heros are Peter schiff, ron paul, marc faber, Gerald Celente, Jim rodgers and now Ed Campbell been added to my list. Your killing me with this guy. LOL

John, Thank You!

I see you are kind of a doom and gloomer? Me too, but I pray each and every night that I’m wrong, just like I pray I never have to use the fire extinguisher next to my kitchen stove, or the air bags in my car to save my life. But regardless of my prayers, I stay prepared, my fire extinguisher is charged and checked, my air bags are charged and check, I always wear my seatbelt, and I keep a picture of the Titanic on the wall of my office to remind myself why I do those thing. You see, on that dreadful night the few people who ran for the life preservers and life boats after the ship hit the iceberg were laughed and scoffed at by all the others on the ship. But today we call those that prepared early for the obvious survivors, and the rest who didn’t ……… Dead!

I do everything I can to be prepared as well, but its much better knowing that, if something really bad happens, someone has got my back or will at least care to try to. And few things make me happier then knowing that, in a time of need, I can help someone else out as well.

Are you prepared with your "weapons and ammunition" too, Edward?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/12/wow_waiting_for_the_apocalypse.php?ref=fpblg

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/12/17/newtown_and_the_doomsday_preppers?page=full

Speaking of the Titanic, one cannot help but chuckle at the mental image of Edward P. Campbell's great grandfather dressed in a fetching frock, elbowing women and children out of the way to snag his seat on a lifeboat while John's illiterate counterpart goes down in steerage. Just the way it should be, amirite, teabaggers?

These attacks are extremely disturbing, I agree, and am also concerned that Patch admin is so passive/absent concerning responses to Mr. Grant that border on stalking.

More Liberalism – Cleute would rather see Censorship then True Facts Posted! Cyber stalking? Are You Kidding Me! It is PUBLIC Record and in fact Public Knowledge, believe me, many, yes many in Montville know the Dan Grant Story. Ask anyone he ever sued, or had the courage to run against him!

They are personal attacks because you are focusing on Dan and his character and not on the topic of Christie and what he termed as "callous." If you were arguing against Dan's points about the role of government in assisting people then you would be offering something that supports that case, and not something that attempts to make a case against Dan. Ad hominem, as such, usually stems from insecurities over a failure to present reasonable argument.

Regarding earnings and taxation, do I understand correctly then that, like me, you do not believe that the simple matter of having money necessitates any sort of deserving or representation of harder work put in? And regarding your feelings that my relative degree of wealth does not matter to you, does that mean that you would respect me as much so if my situation were as Dan's as if it were like Donald Trump's or a recent Powerball winner?

Hey Ed, here's a little test for you. The next time you get in your car and want to gosomewhere, try getting to your destination without travelling on any public roads, or going over any public bridges. Get back to me and let me know how that worked out for you.

"Money is any object or record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given socio-economic context or country."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money

Edward,
Do you grow, raise, cultivate, hunt and/or kill all of your own food? To do you cook it all yourself? Did you make the ovens, plates and eating utensils, dining room table and chairs, etc. that you use entirely yourself? What about the napkins?Did you build every inch of your house and everything in it with your own hands? What about the materials used to construct it with? Where did you obtain those? And your gun? Did you carve it out of a tree yourself, smelt the metal that you mined yourself and mix your own gunpowder with minerals that you found in the hills? Where did you learn to do those things? Was no one else involved in teaching yo such thing?

My bet is that you traded some money for some of all that.

RM, money is a very useful tool for those of us who are productive that helps us trade the value of our labor for goods and services we could not otherwise make for ourselves. But it isn't the money that has value, it is our labor that has value. Money is just a means of storing and exchanging the value our labor creates. Perhaps if you did something besides shill for those who just seek to take the value of our labor and redistribute it to someone else, you might get that.

Ojo Rojo: "But it isn't the money that has value, it is our labor that has value. Money is just a means of storing and exchanging the value our labor creates."

That was my point to Edward. Wealth is not money. Wealth is goods and services. Money is just a (fallible) social tool used to represent wealth and to assist in barter and exchange. A person does not create wealth simply because they have money or acquire money.

Of course there are boundless examples of persons who obtain much money and do not contribute labor, examples of persons who contribute much in the way of labor and obtain little in the way of wealth, and examples of deserving wealthy and poor individuals. The important thing is to recognize that the simple matter of having money does not NECESSARILY equal harder work, greater ingenuity, etc. People who are relatively poor are not NECESSARILY lazy moochers. Its about having a very basic level of deserved humility.

People who fall victim to financial hardship due to natural disasters, like hurricanes and such, are not lazy moochers. Many of them are harder working people who did everything more right then did many of us with a whole lot more.

BellairBerdan I take no glee in the misfortunes of others. I too have suffered many misfortunes in my life time. The only thing I object to here is the ones who seem to think I am somehow obligated to help them with their misfortunes, while they have never helped me with mine!

That is usually how it works, Edward, and why I feel for you. It is usually the people who have suffered and are hurting the most who act most callously toward others.

I'm not sure if I did say that my net worth was fairly high. What is high is relative. Many have more then me and many have less. I pointed out that I would fit your stated criterion for being financially responsible, meaning that you have no reason to speak abusively toward me as you do to Dan, and I asked you rhetorically about what it would mean to you if I was doing better financially then you were. Alas, we will probably never know the answer because neither your finances, which you have stated are personal, nor mine have been exposed here in the manner that you have seen fit to expose of Dan's.

My point was that our relative wealth shouldn't matter. I don't really care what you or Dan or anyone else makes, in relation to me or others, and want you to understand that it doesn't matter. That sort of measure says little to nothing about any of our relative merits or human worth. And that is why Dan was right and you were wrong before you saw fit to attack him.

Tea party means, Taxed enough Already. Why do you liberals always try and demonize people who live with in their budgets? Typical liberal tactic. You and the likes of you have destroyed this country beyond repair. I guess just enjoy it while the fantasy lasts, you will be dead before you see the true results of what you have done to this country. your a pig.