Labor Day Reflections
Most of us think of Labor Day as a farewell to summer — the last three-day weekend to enjoy the Jersey Shore.
It’s a day to barbecue and relax with family and friends. But Labor Day is much more than that.
It’s a day to remember those who fought for safe working conditions, fair wages, and a basic standard of living.
It’s a day to reflect on the promise of the American dream — that all of us deserve a fair shot and that all of us can have a successful life if we’re willing to work hard.
Today, as I run for Congress, I see the American dream fading. I see middle- and working-class families struggling to make ends meet. They say to me, “Why does Congress want to take away my Medicare? Why does Congress want to take away my Social Security? Why does Congress want my family to live without health care? Why does Congress want to take away college grants for my children?”
Honestly, I don’t have good answers because the proposals being offered by the Republican leadership don’t make sense.
Slashing Medicare and Social Security doesn’t make sense. Cutting Pell Grants for college students doesn’t make sense. Cutting Head Start for young children doesn’t make sense. Eliminating aid for Planned Parenthood doesn’t make sense.
Worst of all, providing tax welfare for the richest Americans in the name of creating jobs doesn’t make sense. Why?
Because the top 2% have had the benefit of the Bush-era tax cuts for almost a decade now and they haven’t created the jobs that we need or want. Yet, the House of Representatives, with the help of my Republican opponent, voted twice to enact the Paul Ryan Plan — a scheme that would favor the wealthiest Americans with no mandate that they create jobs.
As I have said before, I'm sure Rep. Frelinghuysen is a genuinely good man. But being “good” and being “likable” does not mean that the people of the 11th District are well served by him.
The truth is Mr. Frelinghuysen has no affinity for the middle or working class. He doesn’t understand what it takes to put food on the table for his family. He doesn’t understand what it means to build a business from the ground up.
I’ve been there. I built a small business by scratching and clawing like my father before me. I was handed nothing. Working and middle class Americans are handed nothing but hollow rhetoric.
This Labor Day, I hope you will take a few minutes to reflect on the hard working men and women who built this country and the great state of New Jersey.
It’s time to stand up for the benefits that we have earned. It’s time to stand up for the future that we deserve. It’s time to stand up for America and for New Jersey's 11th District. It’s time for us to do the right thing.
Barry
1:46 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
I couldn't agree more. American labor has played a major role, especially in the years between the end of World War II and the mid 1970's, in helping the middle class grow and prosper. But since then labor has been on the defensive and it's numbers are shrinking. Not surprinsingly there has been a correlating reduction in middle class incomes. Weaker unions are not be the only factor, but are certainly an important one. Without a strong labor movement, it will be much harder for the middle class to regain the incomes, stature, and numbers it has been gradually losing for forty years.
Jon
9:29 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Mr. John Arvanities - your argument is pretty dumb. Just because Mr. Frelinghuysen has not started a small business means he doesn't know what it takes? Really, are you that naive? By that logic, I do not want you commenting on anything military or foreign affairs related because Rep Frelinghuysen served this country in Vietnam and understands what it takes to sacrifice. Therefore you can't possibly understand. That's the logic you want to follow?
And he has no affinity for the working class? Wow.. you are just going way off the deep end. Do you really think we need someone that talks like you in Washington?
Steven Colpar
11:02 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
You're right Jon! If we required every congressperson to abstain on things they know nothing about - they'd get nothing done! Uh - actually - maybe they would get something done? ....And we don't want them to do a thing right? That's big government. (See how I recovered there?)
So right that we don't need people like Arvanites talking like that in Washington. Makes me sick. I can hardly enjoy myself here on the Riviera knowing folks like him are threatening my American way of life back home. BTW - I need another tax cut to hire someone reliable to polish my Bentley. The last guy I got was dirt cheap but got deported (Oops!)
Caldwellres
6:56 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
What is amazing is that people like you tout Mr. Frelinghuysen's military record and completely ignore the fact that he consistently votes FOR war but AGAINST benefits for his fellow Veterans. And if you don't believe me, I suggest that you check Mr. Frelinghuysen's voting record. In 2011, Frelinghuysen voted AGAINST a resolution to remove our military men and women from Afghanistan: H.R. 28, Roll Call 193, March 17, 2011.
In 2007, he voted AGAINST a bill giving our troops a longer break between deployments to place like Iraq and Afghanistan: H.R. 3159, Roll Call 796, August 2, 2007. In 2006, he voted AGAINST a motion to provide a tax break on death benefits for windows and orphans of military personnel who dies serving this country: H.R. 5122, Roll Call 144, May 11, 2006. In 2005, he voted AGAINST a motion to provide job taining to our vets: H.R. 27,, Motion to Recommit, Rll Call 47, March 5, 2005. In 2003, he voted AGAINST an amendment that would have provided better drinking water and health benefits for service men and women: H.R. 3289, Roll Call, October 16, 2003. And there are many more examples just as bad as these. So please don't talk about how great Frelinhuysen is because he served in the military. Actions speak much louder than words and we know exactly how Frelinghuysen treats veterans from his disgraceful voting rec rd.
clyde donovan
11:28 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Obama and Jon Arvanites promoting class warfare to advance their political careers and feather their own nests. Avanites and Obama are not good for America.
Steven Colpar
6:56 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Don't you worry your little head there Clyde. Old Warren says we're way ahead on that class warfare. It's in the bag
... http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/26/business/yourmoney/26every.html
Caldwellres
6:56 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Clyde, Class warfare is a useful turn of phrase that the Republicans invented to get average middle class voters to self identify with the rich. Clyde, point out any significant job gains that have come out of the Bush Era Tax Cuts. They serve no real utility for middle and working class Americans. What we have here is bologna economics. If you want to talk class warfare let's talk about taking away Pell Grants for students, or Medicare for our elderly, or Medicaid for our working poor. That is class warfare. So thank you for regurgitating nonsense talking points.
Jon
7:31 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
And if there is a bill that gives veterans a million dollars for doing nothing I hope Rodney votes against that too. You are deducing that by not voting for a few bills he is against veterans? Ha, what a joke you are. Nice logic. I am a veteran for Rodney. Mr. Arvanities - thanks for your military service.........
clyde donovan
4:55 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
I wouldn't vote for Arvantides for one reason, as you can read above or here, "Eliminating aid for Planned Parenthood doesn’t make sense."
He supports Planned Parenthood and therefore abortion. Abortion is the murder of unborn babies.
Caldwellres
5:29 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
Clyde, that is wildly uninformed comment. Let's try this: you are against Planned Parenthood therefore you are against cancer screenings for women. Most of what Planned Parenthood does is provide preventative care for women and adolescents.