Gerald Keer writes that Democrats like the state Senate president have trolled for public-employees' campaign donations for years.
To the Editor:
Concerning the article "(Stephen) Sweeney slams threats as 'extortion' by unions," on the state Senate president's call for a criminal investigation of the New Jersey Education Association leaders for telling Democrats the teachers' union would withhold campaign contributions unless the Legislature votes on a public-pension ballot question:
Threats by public employee unions to withhold donations from politicians is "man-bites-dog" news. Labor unions, as well as engineers, attorneys, accountants, etc., that do public-sector work, provide large donations that are largely received by Democrats like Sweeney.
Last year's Gloucester County freeholder board race was a great example of money flow and questionable economics. The successful Democrats spent more than $668,000 for three part-time freeholder seats that pay less than $17,000 per year. Just think of the contracts they control.
Campaign finance reports on the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission website reflect the largesse of the political contributors. What a great service it would be if reports for competing candidates were available online immediately, rather than on specific filing deadlines that can be after an election has taken place.
The money that public-sector unions dispense is inveigled from the pockets of public employees. It is obviously legal to contribute, but ethics can be questioned when officeholders whose campaign kitties are endowed negotiate with these unions or award professional service contracts.
Sen. Sweeney, how much have you received in your campaign kitty?
Many union employees pay their dues under duress and watch these dollars flow to political parties and candidates. Voters have a right to know. It is a duty of the Fourth Estate to inform what is being paid for, and who is benefiting at taxpayers' expense.
Gerald Keer
Turnersville
'Snake oil' jobs editorial on the money
To the Editor:
Regarding the July 31 South Jersey Times' editorial "No snake oil -- just be honest about jobs," which asks the presidential candidates to be specific about how they'd try bring back U.S. manufacturing jobs:
I find the editorial to be right on target, although I might have added that the "snake oil peddlers" are also carpetbaggers.
I also would have reworked Hillary Clinton's thought bubble on Drew Sheneman's "Post-convention wrap up" editorial cartoon that appeared on the same July 31 opinion page.
Instead of having Clinton say "Hope, Patriotism, Equality, Inclusion," I would have reversed the order to "Hope, Inclusion, Patriotism, Equality." The initials can be pronounced as "HIPE," and hype is exactly what this election is all about -- nothing more, nothing less.
Speaking of the convention, Milton Hinton's July 31 column, "Philadelphia mayor hits home run with DNC strategy," had an excellent viewpoint about Mayor Jim Kenney's non-confontational, non-arrest approach to police interaction with demonstrators.
This is exactly what this country needs in its entirety. Leaders such as Hinton and Kenney are the ones who can take us there. Violence and anarchy will not do it.
Dominick A. Ruggiero Jr.
Sewell
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