Author: hankkalet

I’ve not paid real close attention to the U.S. Senate race being waged between Democrat Robert Menendez, who was appointed to fill the governor’s unexpired Senate seat, and state Sen. Tom Kean Jr., a Republican. Granted, I have been leaning toward Sen. Menendez but without much conviction.

Two recent votes by the Hudson County Democrat, however, have me feeling a bit better about him.

The minimum wage:

Sen. Menendez voted in favor of increasing the federal minimum wage to $7.25 an hour this week, announcing on the Senate floor that “nine years is far too long” for low-wage workers to wait for the federal government to boost the wage, which currently stands at $5.15 an hour.

Nine years is too long for those who work round the clock, hoping to save a little extra for groceries, for those working so they can buy schools supplies or clothes for their children, or for those saving so one day they can live in a place they are proud to call home. I ask members of Congress who receive a cost-of-living adjustment, how can they vote to not give those hard working Americans earning minimum wage the first increase in nine years?

The Senate defeated the wage hike, sponsored by Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and cosponsored by Sen. Menendez.

In Contrast, state Sen. Kean voted against New Jersey legislation increasing the state’s minimum wage to $7, legislation that passed and was approved by then-Gov. Richard Codey in 2005.

Iraq:

The senator is backing legislation calling for American troops to leave Iraq.

Here’s what he said on the Senate floor (from a release issued yesterday):

Clearly, it is time to change the course,” Menendez said. “We need a new direction in Iraq. That’s why I am supporting the Levin and Kerry amendments today.

Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki supports a transfer of responsibility for 16 out of 18 provinces by the end of this year and his security advisor believes that we can reduce coalition forces to less than 100,000 by the end of this year with most of the multinational force gone. The Iraqis are clearly saying that they are ready for this transition to happen. If the Iraqis are to be respected as a sovereign government, as many argued on the floor of the Senate a few days ago, shouldn’t we respect their knowledge and wishes on the future of their country?

I voted against the Iraq war when many on the other side tried to falsely characterize those of us who didn’t believe the evidence that the administration presented, who thought we should work through the international process, who didn’t believe the administration had done any post-war planning. For standing up for what we believed in, they tried to mischaracterize us as anti-American and unpatriotic. I was willing to take a difficult stand, and stand up for what I believed was right for the country and for the people of New Jersey. That’s why I voted against the war.

Today, with over 2,500 lives lost, almost $320 billion spent in national treasure, with $8 billion used each month, I know I made the right decision.

The Senate has an opportunity to act now, to enact a policy worthy of the sacrifice of our soldiers.

The South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press

Does this mean the Demcorats are showing some backbone on Iraq?

The South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press

Another clear-eyed editorial on the budget — this time from The Record. And David Rebovich explains the political undercurrents driving Assembly Democrats down the same murky budgetary road they’ve been traveling for years.

The South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press

The governor is standing firm. So is the Assembly. A standoff looms, but The Star-Ledger offers a sensible editorial on the mess in Trenton.

The South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press

I’m a fan of the mix-tape. Always have been.

Here is the latest mix-disc getting play in the car (called “Bad Dudes and Englishmen”):

1. Arctic Monkeys, “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor” — The first single off their great debut disc is loud, fast and wild
2. Pearl Jam, “Wasted Life” — A return to form and the best single they have release in years.
3. Iggy Pop, “Wild Child” — Danceable mid-’80s Iggy.
4. Bon Jovi , “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” — I don’t generally like Bon Jovi, but this is catchy and stays with you.
5. Dixie Chicks, “Not Ready to Make Nice” — No, they are not. A passionate response to the death threats and attacks that followed their dissing of the president, and just a great song.
6. Bruce Springsteen, “Leah” — An underrated song from the great Devils and Dust disc.
7. Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris, “Comin’ Around” — A great duet.
8. Shakira w/Carlos Santana, “Illegal” — The great guitarist underscores a great vocal.
9. Corrine Bailey Rae, “Put Your Records On” — Catchy, infectious pop-soul from the next big thing.
10. Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy” — Funky and hard to describe.
11. Fine Young Cannibals, “She Drives Me Crazy” — These guys are a lot better than some might remember and deserve a lot more attention. Their first single has a nice groove.
12. Natasha Bedingfield, “Single” — This song should be given to every high school and college-age girl.
13. Rihanna, “SOS” — A sexy dance song.
14. Shakira w/Wyclef Jean, “Hips Don’t Lie” — See comment above, watch the video and get on the dance floor.
15. Nancy Sinatra, “These Boots Were Made for Walking” — Jessica Simpson wishes she could sing like this.
16. Macy Gray, “Boom Boom” — A sultry song from the Desperate Housewives soundtrack. Whatever happened to her, anyway?
17. Fine Young Cannibals, “Good Thing” — Second single is better than the first.
18. Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams, “You’re Still Standing There” — Another great duet, this one spiced up with a pair of Southern drawls.
19. Bruce Springsteen, “Bring ‘Em Home” — Listen to him.
20. Johnny Rivers, “Memphis” — A great live version from a forgotten blues man.
21. Chuck Berry, “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man” — The master.
22. Bruce Springsteen, “How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times as These and Live?” — Springsteen sings for New Orleans.

Pass along your playlists.

The South Brunswick Post, The Cranbury Press