Rebekah Conroy
For New Jersey General Assembly, District 25
Blog
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A New Beginning . . .
Posted Oct 01 at 10 AM
A New Beginning…
Autumn is surely the season of change and new beginnings. I spent the summer campaigning all over the 25th—hearing from voters like you about the changes we need in Trenton, and what needs to change in our own community. In order to succeed, and provide District 25 with the attentive representation it requires and deserves, I need your help to get elected. Pick up the phone; shoot me an email; stop by the Democratic Headquarters in Morristown; knock on some doors; get involved! Let's make this a season of real positive change for our community. I am happy to report that my campaign has been recently endorsed by Planned Parenthood, the Natonal Organization for Women (NOW), and the Fraternal Order of Police. I appreciate the help and support from these worthwhile organizations, which, together with your help, will result in our success.
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Hip, Hip…Huzza!!!
Posted Jul 05 at 10 PM
I hope everyone had a great July 4th and took some time to reflect on our independence. My running mate, Wendy Wright, and I had a meaningful afternoon at the Morristown National Historic Park at Washington’s Headquarters. We celebrated with a reading of the Declaration of Independence accompanied by a musket-firing salute by soldiers from the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms Company - all in full 18th century regalia. In remembering how those who witnessed our nation’s birth celebrated, the reading was filled with shouts of “Down With King George!” or “No More Tyranny!” at every mention of the “Crown” and enthusiastic cheers of “Hip, Hip…Huzzah!” in support of independence and mention of the United States of America. (I have to admit, even I got into it and let loose with some cries of freedom from tyranny and oppression).
Those who participated in the founding of this country were of all backgrounds, varied ethnicities, and exhibited all ranges of political philosophies. In drafting the Federalist Papers, our founding fathers debated and explained the need for the power and structure set forth in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The only thing that mattered among those that blazed the trail for our new country’s independence was the shared goal of freedom and a society grounded in liberty.
Some two-hundred and thirty years later, things aren’t all that different. The freedom to exercise independent judgment is still vital to resolving issues that affect our daily lives. As candidates for elected office, we will continue to debate political ideas, just as our founding fathers intended. These days some candidates preach about smaller government, all the while believing that what limited government does exist, exists solely to impose “fundamental” choices upon the entire population - choices like the definition of marriage and the type of medical care you need. I believe freedom includes the necessary right to make these fundamental choices free of government intrusion and I trust you to know what is best for you and your loved ones. Be wary of those who want to make our government just small enough to fit into your medicine cabinet or under your bedroom door. It is the obligation of the government to protect our rights and freedom, not to limit our fundamental choices.
Hip, Hip…Huzza! -
A quick word about...
Posted Jul 03 at 7 PM
How not to represent your constituents.
Self-interested politicians never really serve their constituents. Their terms are often cut short by resignations, choosing instead to focus on their own goals and agendas. Power, money, fame, the chance at something bigger and better in the future while ignoring the present, are but a few of the reasons of the most recent resignation – Sarah Palin. Politicians like Ms. Palin, who walk away for greener pastures, abandon their constituents and violate the trust bestowed upon them by the local electorate.
How about self-interested politicians who, to the detriment of their own communities, fail to pass meaningful legislation, and instead sponsor bills that serve a one-sided political ideology? An ineffective representative can sit in office for years, do nothing, and deprive his constituents of the representation they deserve. After all, government can only function with dynamic, not stagnant, leadership.
We deserve better.
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The view from… over here.
Posted Jun 29 at 5 PM
We have become an electorate obsessed with labels. “Republican.” “Democrat.” “Fiscal Conservative.” “Progressive.” These labels are meaningless because we each attach our own subjective meaning to the different terms.Labels work for jellies, not people.
Rather than label myself one way or the other, I want to use a series of descriptive words—maybe even a sentence or two—to tell you a little bit about myself, my point of view, and how that translates to being a better representative on your behalf once elected.
Working families are the backbone of our community, our state, and our success. Now more than ever, we are all watching our bottom line. We have raised the temperature on our air conditioners, cut our personal discretionary spending, and retooled our budgets to stay afloat. We should expect no less from our State government. Remaining silent while precious funds are wasted by the State on unsuccessful programs, wasteful expenditures, and pork projects is simply no longer an option.
That is not to say that we can live without government. To the contrary, government plays a critical role in our day-to-day lives. The State manages our safety, ensures that our judicial system runs on fair and equitable law, educates our children, regulates commerce to allow capitalism to thrive, and protects our liberty. Each aspect is crucial to our community.
Education is the great equalizer. The only way we can end the cycle of poverty is to educate the next generation. The State’s responsibility in this regard is great. Members of the Assembly are at a crossroads in education funding and schools in our District are suffering. At a recent town hall meeting in Denville, I learned firsthand of the problems Denville’s schools are facing. Leaky roofs and outdated textbooks are just the beginning of the predicament our students confront in their path to higher learning. The needs of these children are not being adequately met.
We need a stronger, more persuasive and energetic voice in Trenton focused on these problems, focused on our community, focused on advocating for our District and ending the one-way flow of tax dollars out of Morris County. We need leadership vigilantly watching over our government spending, and not someone who grandstands against every piece of legislation without actually considering its impact on the lives of residents in Morris County.
The view from where I sit clear: if we desire progress, we must demand dedication from our representatives. Those individuals that are unable to mold to these ever-changing times, and find themselves dedicated to a singular issue, or a singular ideology, need not apply. We need strength in our leaders - strength of character, strength in intellect, and strength in dedication. What we don't need....are labels.
