Friday, November 23, 2007

Gratitude, Attitude on Thanksgiving


First, for those of you dangling on my cliffhanger of NJ 15th District election results many weeks back, here's relief, in brief:
1. Overall, the message seemed to be "quit spending money!" Stem cell research and all the bond issues were rejected. So my bike path won't be constructed any time soon.
2. I think Shirley Turner won re-election for the State Legislature. I'm still trying to figure out who else won. It's not easy to go back and figure out local election results. Doesn't exactly make the NY Times. Don't worry; I'm sure we're in good hands. And if we're not there are a million self-made political commentators with blogs who will flush out the bad guys, or at least embarrass the hell out of them.
3. The offensive language about idiots and insane persons has been omitted from the New Jersey constitution. Phew.

So now I wanted to share some insights I've gleaned over this Thanksgiving weekend. It feels strange to wear sweaters because you have to, and not because you're trying to look the part of a Ralph Lauren-esque family (or as my cousin Georgia puts it, "You're Ralph Lauren, but messy."

I really haven't missed my close proximity to California wines. Seriously, New Jersey devotes a lot of shelf space to great wines and has some good wines of its own. On Wednesday afternoon I walked into Phillips Fine Wines...and kept walking. Room after room of wines from every region in the world. I was on a quest for Zin; Bon Appetit recommended it as a good pairing with turkey. The young guy who helped me seemed very knowledgeable and though they didn't have the few vintages I had circled, he was able to offer some alternative suggestions. We had "The Monster" from Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles. Ahh, home in a bottle.

Rutabagas are REALLY hard to cut.

Getting five people to smile and keep their eyes open and on the camera at the same time is nearly impossible. And gets more impossible every year. Hope everyone will like our annual family photo and not be too critical.

We all stated what we were grateful for at the table; most of the responses involved "family, friends, food" -- the three F words that are not offensive in the least.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Exercising My Constitutional Right

I squeaked in, apparently. My sample ballot arrived on Friday. I'm in the 15th Legislative District, in Hopewell Township, in Mercer County. Good--more evidence as to where I live officially.
I must choose a state senator, two general assembly people, a county executive, two board members of chosen freeholders (not familiar with that one) and two township committee members. All neatly divided by political party, which makes it somewhat easy, although I suppose I should vote by experience and qualifications, by how much I think that individual will accomplish in office. Tell you what, I'll keep an eye on these people once they get voted in and by the next election I'll know who worked, and who didn't.
Then there are five "public questions to be voted on." The first one has to do with setting aside 1% of the state sales tax to be used for property tax relief and/or reform. I think I'm for that. Property tax here is staggering. I feel like we get a lot--the schools are great and the police force is really vigilant on speeders. But it's still hard to keep up with the payments. Still, I have no idea if this would even affect us personally. So I'll ask around about this one.
The second question is about financing stem cell research in New Jersey's higher education and "other entities." I've already been told how to vote on that, by Monsigneur at church. The answer is "no." Adult stem cells only, if you please. No embryos. According to the unbiased information provided at the church (we were subjected to a film on the subject a few weeks ago that nobody could hear or understand), adult stem cells have better results anyway. Hmmmm.
The third question and the fifth question have to do with open space purchasing, preservation and creating walkways and bikeways. I always vote yes on these kinds of questions. Properties prone to flooding in the Delaware River, Passaic River and Raritan River areas can be sold to the government for a fair price and would be kept open and preserved. And personally, I could really use a bike/running path along Mt. Airy Road. I'm already tired of jumping into the ditch every time a driver who is late for work comes barreling down the road well above the speed limit (it's 35mph, idiots!!!!)
Speaking of idiots, I come to question four. This one won't cost us anything and should pass easily. It's asking that in the part of the state constitution barring "idiot or insane persons" from voting, can we agree to remove the phrase "idiot or insane person." It would be replaced with the ponderous phrase "person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting." Fine. Lots of people lack the capacity to understand the act of voting and don't bother doing it. On the other hand, many idiots and insane persons stride right in and give it their best shot. Ain't that America?
Sure, change the language, make it more timely and less offensive. If I'm idiotic or insane I'm hoping my family will tell me and not the New Jersey courts.