Why wait for change?

Today the Asbury Park Press editorial board once again laments the culture of cronyism that controls Monmouth County government. Their editorial is right on target. Farmer John's appointment to head public works and engineering is a classic example of all that stinks in Freehold, and reminds us that the lessons of Operation Bid Rig have not been learned.

The truth is there are powerful financial interests working to make sure the culture of cronyism survives. They use two methods. Monetary rewards for those who go along and get along, and retribution for those who don't. Buck the system, call for reform, act in the best interests of the taxpayers and against the good old boys and you're in for a very rough ride. The recent experiences of John Tobias and Anna Little illustrate this system of reward and retribution perfectly.

The editorial board hopes that the voters will have learned a lesson come November. Even if they do, it won't make a difference. We'll be trading one group of cronies for another. It would be great to have an election over which party can save the taxpayers more, which can bring more ethical reforms. But we're not set up for that this year. We're set up for a race over which group of cronies will divvy the spoils.

In their early campaign statements, the Democrats have demonstrated that they are not interested in reforming county government. Their first proposal is to spend millions to build a new court house. That's the issue to start a campaign with? Let's have another boon doggle, but the Democratic cronies will get rich and get the plum jobs.

As he has been touring the state, US Attorney Christopher Christie has been telling citizens that his team can't stamp out corruption alone. That to really reform government, voters must take ownership of their government back from political hos. We must elect true public servants as opposed to cronies looking to pad their pensions or improve their economic status. Assemblywoman Amy Handlin has expressed similar sentiment in a recent OpEd piece. In a system that is rigged by the hos and for the hos, that is not easy to do. Except next Tuesday.

Next Tuesday is primary day. With the notably exception of Holmdel, the primaries are uncontested in Monmouth County. Turnout will be very light throughout the county. Last year, with a nominally contested US Senate race, less than 10,000 people voted in the Republican primary in Monmouth. Committed reform minded voters can "steal" back our party without spending five or six figures.

We can write in a Personal Choice for Freeholder. With the new voting machines this is very easy to do. The ballots we got in the mail last week give good instructions.

I'm writing in Anna Little for Freeholder and only Anna Little. She gets my bullet vote. I know I'm not alone, as there a significant group throughout the county planning to do the same. There is no organization or money being spent, just disgusted voters who have been whispering to each other to make this happen.

In all likelihood its a pipe dream. But maybe not. One Republican elected official told me last week, "Two months ago I would have told you you're crazy, but now I think it can happen. I'll get people to vote for her." If my readers from Neptune get on board and rally their readers, 3000 bullet votes are possible and the political establishment can be dealt a crushing blow..

Have a good week Adam.