Friday, November 1, 2013

Christie, Pigs, and Presidential Politics


New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has fried up critics in his state because of a recent veto against banning gestation cages for pigs.
Animal rights activists contend that Christie’s veto will permit agricultural interests in the Garden State to abuse animals for profit, while political critics (including the gradually diminishing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono) contend that Christie’s veto seeks to enlarge his chances in the 2016 Presidential election, especially in farmer-bastion Iowa, should he seek higher office.

For the record, the farming lobby in New Jersey is not the big to begin with, and his signature would have made little difference in the life of pigs, anyway. Voters should recall that he rejected tax and spending increases, which have trimmed the waste and fraud in Trenton. In short, Christie has protected his state from the pork of government. New Jersey residents should disregard the critics, the activists, and even the media reports focus on the governor’s possible campaign for the White House.

Gov. Christie is running for reelection in New Jersey. He has stood up for his state in the face of financial crises and natural disasters. He has taken on public sector unions, private interests, and even education bureaucrats more interested in fattening their wallets than improving local schools. While some party leaders have faulted his assault against Washington Republicans, and his stance on gay marriage (a matter for public referendum, not court rulings) may offend others, Christie’s take on pig-cages should not be trapping so much attention.

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