Dear Editor,
The reporting of a N.J. judge suing to be exempt from budget cuts because he thinks he is above other public service employees is more evidence of an out of control judicial branch. Over the years rulings by the judicial branch has resulted in increased taxes for all of us in New Jersey. Many of these rulings have been failed social experiments mandated by the judicial system and paid for by our tax dollars. Judges are public servants and should be subject to the same rules as other public servants. If judges want to make the big bucks they are use to they should resign and go back to their law firms. On that note, whatever happened to desperately need tort reform?   Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
========================================================Dear Editor,
All of the recent talk about the potential devastating effect of not increasing the national debt seems to ignore the fact that if we don’t get our debt under control we will wind up looking like Greece (or worse) in a couple of years. Our debt problem is a result of the Government spending more than they should be. We as a nation need to get our spending under control. Our ability to increase borrowing from China and other countries in order to fund our Government spending will not last forever and talks of tax increases only mask the spending problem. The Government should do the same thing we all have to do when we max out our credit cards – look at our budget and cut back. By not increasing the debt ceiling I think the world will get the message that we are serious about getting our fiscal house under control.Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
======================================================Dear Editor,
The recent ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court mandating that additional taxpayers’ dollars be thrown at failing schools will do next to nothing for those children. Talk with a teacher or go to a classroom in many of those districts and you will find that much of a teachers efforts are spent on activities such as trying to maintain discipline in the classroom, responding to school lockdowns and trying to find a way to engage parents to get homework done – none of which will be solved by the recent Court decision. This is another example of a liberal Court requiring taxpayers’ dollars be spent on a problem they have no idea on how to solve. There are ways to fix this – but is is more of a social problem than a monetary one. The Court would do more for these children if they mandated that parents be fined if their children do not complete homework!Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
========================================================Dear Editor,
Articles written by politicians related to school funding, such as that by Barbara Buono “The ‘new normal’ is inadequate for our schools” illustrate how our education system has become a political football. The idea that more money is the best way to improve education may be politically very attractive but highlights the fact that our legislative and judicial systems have one solution for any problem – tax and spend. There are many studies that show only a loose connection between spending and quality of education. Why don’t politicians like Buono look to what has worked at private schools to improve education and reduce waste without increasing our tax burden? Things like school uniforms, getting rid of bad teachers/administrators and more parental involvement have all been shown to improve education at minimal cost. We should elect leaders that can adapt to the new norm of doing more with less and solving problems with creative solutions instead of the tax and spend mentality that is pervasive with most of our Legislature today
Sincerely
Gregory Borsinger
===========================================================================Dear Editor,The opinion by Superior Court Judge Peter Doyne regarding school budgeting will require more spending while not mentioning where the funding is to come from in a State facing an $11 billion deficit. This ruling will most likely result in higher taxes to support a judge’s opinion that more money will solve inner city education problems. We as taxpayers have no recourse but to pay the increased taxes resulting from these decisions. This is in essence taxation without representation. To resolve this I propose we pass a constitutional amendment requiring any ruling by the judicial branch that result in increased taxes to be placed on a ballot so we have a say in how our tax dollars are spent.
Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
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Dear Editor,
Most people realize that open and fair competition drives performance. It follows that good implementation of an educational voucher system will drive competition and improve performance. Schools that cannot step up to the increase competition will make way for better performing schools. The private sector deals with competition on an ongoing basis and it is what drives improvements and keeps us competitive.
Many tout increased spending as a cure-all for improving education. Looking at total dollars spent per student by location does not support this even if we could afford it. I believe there are deeper problems that need different approaches especially if, as I suspect in education, the problem is outside the process one has control over.
Most people also realize that Government rarely does anything efficiently be it education or healthcare. Our founding fathers established a government to support and not overburden the private sector. The intended role of government has been lost as it has grown out of control.
Let’s give the Governor Christie a chance to make needed changes to drive performance and limit the role government has in our lives.
 Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
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Dear Editor,
Most people realize there are certain fundamentals that govern performance be it in education, health care or business. First is that open and fair competition drives performance. Thus, proper implementation of educational vouchers will drive competition and improve performance. Schools that cannot step up to the increase competition will go away and make way for better performing schools. This system has worked well for many years in Japan where students are allowed to attend the best schools they can get into regardless of geography. Reforms that increase competition will also help solve bloated administration costs where restricted competition has resulted in entitlements and complacency. The private sector deals with increased competition and underperformers on an ongoing basis. Those that deal effectively will win and those that do not will go away.
Second fundamental – throwing monies at problems is rarely a solution especially if the problem is outside the process one has control over. Increased spending is used by many politicians and judges when facing problems they do not know how to overcome. There are many cultures who came to the US with nothing (Cubans come to mind) and have excelled with the same level of education dollars as is spent on failing inner city schools. There is a deeper problem that needs a different approach.
Third fundamental is that Government rarely does anything efficiently be it education or healthcare. Our founding fathers knew this and established a government to support and not overburden the private sector. The intended role of government has been lost as politicians try to gain votes by taking our tax dollars and redistributing to their political benefit.
I believe Governor Christie understands these fundamentals and is taking actions that others in the public sector need to assimilate.
Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
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Dear Editor,
As part of grading Governor Christie one needs to think about the situation he was thrust into. This includes; 1. A faltering economy where many businesses are looking to move out of New Jersey where taxes are 2nd highest in the Nation*; 2. A State budget that past Governments managed like a shell game – borrowing from the future to avoid having to face balancing income with expenses; 3. A liberal judicial system that has mandated increases in taxes to support their judgments; 4. Public sector unions that for years have strong armed town and State governments to the advantage of their members and disadvantage of taxpayers.
One would be very naive to think a Governor could fix these problems without upsetting those who have benefited from the feeding troth. Give all this I would give the Governor a B+ as I am a hard grader and I think he could benefit from losing a few pounds.
Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
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Dear Editor,
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Recent letters to the editor and articles in the Star-Ledger indicates that many still don’t get it – WE CAN NOT AFFORD IT! There is a new paradigm – we must all do more with less. This includes the Government and the public sector. Whining about how salaries are being cut or services reduced will not make more funds miraculously appear. Governor Christie made big cuts this year but faces an even bigger budget challenge next year. This is a tough adjustment for a Government that does not know how to balance a checkbook or for public employees who were use to big union’s negotiating fat contracts. Instead of whining about what is being taken away, why not suggest ways to cut Government spending and nurture an environment where businesses can create well paying jobs.
Sincerely,
Gregory Borsinger
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