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Senator Torricelli

Originally published in The Daily Journal on 24 May 2001.

In the early 1980s, Joe Piscopo built his career at the expense of New Jersey (”I’m from Joisey. Are you from Joisey? What exit?“).

The armpit of America was the battle cry across the land.

In recent weeks, The Sopranos, a fictional cable television show, has again given New Jersey a sour taste in others’ minds. We apparently are nothing more than a bunch of mobsters here.

Yet, it is hard to fault those who pick upon us when we elect folks who do so little for us and so much to reinforce the stereotypes.

Robert Torricelli, now the senior senator from the Garden State, is the focus of a federal investigation that twice in the past weeks barnstormed county political offices to seize memoranda, files, and other evidence of possible wrongdoing from his 1996 campaign.

“I think there is a concern about the dignity of the Senate,” stated Torricelli, 16 January 1999.

Indeed. The dignity of the Senate and our fair state is at stake. This is not a late-night comedy skit or concern over a television show. This is real life. Torricelli’s problems reflect upon all of us.

There was a time when the senator was on all the Sunday morning talk shows and at the Capitol’s microphones sounding off about impeachment. We should have known.

An investigation does not make a man guilty. It does, however, say plenty that our senator cannot keep the appearance of impropriety from splashing the front pages. Perhaps there is a reasonable explanation for the Rolex, the suits, and the quick money made on that IPO at his buddy’s bank. Nevertheless, he has brought shame upon us.

James Madison wrote, “It is a misfortune incident to republican government . . . that those who administer it may forget their obligations to their constituents, and prove unfaithful to their important trust.”

The obligation, Sen. Torricelli, is to represent New Jersey and her citizens in a manner that commands trust. Federal investigations do nothing to instill trust.

Newsweek this week details a senator who pales in Madison’s description: tirades against other senators, jet-setting with the rich and famous, politics to enact personal revenge, and disturbingly similar politics from his college days (http://www.msnbc.com/news/575933.asp) The senator now refuses public appearances to duck the storm.

In a time when our young are so in need of men and women to respect, it is unfortunate that New Jersey elected a man who is derelict in his responsibility.

Let us not forget our obligation in 2002 to elect a senator who will make New Jersey proud.

Posted in CAB, New Jersey, Politics | No Comments »

Spring Training

Originally published in The Daily Journal on 15 February 2001.

Fresh-cut grass — a hint of warmth in the air — newly-lined base lines — the snap of leather — the crack of the bat.

It’s early, spring training has yet to begin, but many are eager for the national pastime to begin. It’s a ritual. We long for our childhood. We know it’s over, however, as spring approaches, we long for the pitchers to take to the mound, the fielders their positions, the batter his place, and the umpire to call, “Play ball!” We remember our childhood.

It was 30 years ago when I first saw a professional ball game. I was entranced by the sight of the field from behind the 300 level at the Vet as we entered.

It was the time when there were twilight doubleheaders, 50-cent seats for children, and the immortals still roamed the diamond.

Roberto Clemente was my favorite player, only because my father told me he was so good. Yes, in those days fathers and sons enjoyed a game together.

My friend, David, and I reveled as the organist played the “Charge” theme. It was childhood and all was perfect.

Baseball still connects us to this time. Our adult lives seldom seem as carefree as the time we would spend all day playing the game, even if right field was closed because we did not have enough players. Yet spring offers us a respite from reality as we float back to our bubble-gum cards and the idolization of our superstars.

In spring, our team is in first place and hope abounds. I long for the first game in order to begin anew what brings such happiness … score keeping.

My mother taught me how to score. I have long lost the scorecards from the Carlton-thrown and Schmidt-whacked games of my youth. Oh, but to re-live those games.

Yet, each year, I break out my scorebook and begin again the passion. Keeping score connects a fan to the game unlike any other activity. One re-plays the game with the same passion that the swing of the bat and the toss of the ball originally brought. Non-scorers do not quite understand.

There is no “right” way to score. Some record only the result of the batter. Others track each and every pitch. Whatever the method, a scorecard is as magical as the hot dog and the caught foul ball.

As you hear of the pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, treat yourself to a visit to a sporting goods store to buy a scorebook.

Spend a few minutes looking over the recommended method the book provides and then tune into the game of the week.

Childhood is back.

Posted in Baseball, CAB, Sports | No Comments »

Wise Decisions

Originally published in The Daily Journal on 28 December 2000.

Christmas is over. Many of us are back to work. The superfluous gifts that did not quite have the oomph you thought they would still sit in their boxes unused.

As January arrives, so will the credit card bills. You can contemplate your extravagance as you write your checks. Once again you resolve to manage your finances better for the coming year and cut out frivolous purchases.

Buck up, you can handle this situation. What’s more, apparently you are not alone. News reports indicate that many folks run up unimaginable debt during the holidays each year. Unfortunately, it is not just individuals, but our government as well.

President-elect Bush, although a conservative, has proposed immense spending for his coming administration. Granted, Congress has to sign off on his desires, but Republicans will be quick to push through his measures and the Democrats, well, they always enjoy spending our tax dollars.

Educationally, school vouchers will come to the forefront soon. No matter where you stand on the issue, the inclusion of federal tax dollars into public education is never a good idea. Additionally, Bush plans to establish a $3 billion technology fund for schools to purchase computers and other devices, $5 billion for reading programs for elementary schools, $500 million for schools that “improve” student performance, $2.4 billion for states that put together teacher-accountability programs, $30 million to re-train military personnel to educators, and vouchers for schools to enact after-school programs.

Unless the staff is trained, computers are dust collectors. Bush’s reading program is to ensure all students can read by third grade. Is it not obscene what elementary schools currently spend cannot guarantee that result now?

Merit pay for schools sounds nice. Methinks, however, it will produce more money for schools already making the grade, thus increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. If public education works under a system that does not currently have teacher-accountability programs, then there should be an outcry over what districts spend on observations and evaluations.

So, as you shake your head at the numerous charges from Toys ‘R Us, Best Buy, and Wal-Mart, resolve to do better in 2001. But also resolve to hold our elected officials to the same frugality. We do not need our government wasting our hard-earned money on feel-good measures that are not likely to fulfill their objectives.

Prediction for 2001: Recession will set in by summer. Can we afford to squander all this on a matter that is but a state responsibility?

Posted in CAB, Education | No Comments »

Federal Education Spending

Originally published in The Daily Journal on 09 November 2000.

Education is mentioned nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, the 10th Amendment states that those powers not delegated to the federal government are left to the states or the people.

While studying to become a teacher I took a school law course. One of the cases examined was San Antonio v. Rodriguez—a school funding case. The Supreme Court in 1973 determined that relying solely upon property taxes is unconstitutional. More important, the opinion of this case is that education is not a fundamental right protected by federal law.

The question then is why is the federal government involved in education at all? Listening to the presidential candidates, one wonders if they have knowledge of our federal laws.

Each state struggles with a fair and equitable means for financing education as it is their responsibility and power so to do. New Jersey’s Abbott decision addresses our needs, which would not suffice in Illinois, New Hampshire, or other states tackling this same issue. Who better knows New Jersey’s public school ills than New Jersey? What makes us think Washington, D.C. knows what we need?

Gore and Bush raise the education issue: our public schools are failing. Each offers a solution. What is scary, however, is that each candidate proposes commandeering powers that he as president would not have.

Bush proposes programs such as “$1 billion Math and Science Partnership for states, colleges and universities to strengthen K-12 math and science education.” When money travels from the taxpayers’ hands to Washington then back to the states, there is slippage. Slippage is the dollars left in Washington. Minimizing bureaucracy yields more money for education.

Gore counters with multi-billion dollar proposals to test new teachers, pay teachers more, repair school buildings, etc. Again, the deal is that our money has to first visit Washington before any of these programs can commence New Jersey’s newest senator is no better. Jon Corzine states, “Presently the federal government spends about $23.5 billion a year on elementary and secondary education . . . But the needs are much greater.”

It would be refreshing to hear national figures tell us that as much as they would like to cure all of our ills, they are not responsible for each and every facet of our lives.

Yes, public education needs attention. For too long our schools have gone untended, our accountability has slipped, and our curriculum has become misaligned. These issues should be studied and solved here, within our community, rather than from afar.

Posted in CAB, Education, Politics | 2 Comments »