Today's letters: praise for Governor Chris Christie
Last Thursday (Jan. 28) during the T.V. debate Governor Chris Christie demonstrated why he would be a great President. Besides showing the ability to debate other notable politicians on a national stage, as Governor he has done a terrific job when needed. Whether it's during a crisis, (such as hurricanes, blizzards or floods), or the everyday give and take of political ideas, he always has the best interest of the people of New Jersey in mind, and that is why he was elected.
As a public school American Studies teacher for many years, a USMC veteran, and the son of a union worker, I have some issues with him on some of his opinions, but I voted for him and support his desire to be the President of the United States. He is in line with my own ideological, religious, and political ideas and always has the best interests of the people in mind.
When asked what Federal Program he would cut from the budget he said without any hesitation "Planned Parenthood". He could have dodged that controversial subject but he chose to give an honest answer and a very important one. I'm sure the liberal press will hammer him for it but that is understandable in a country that lives by the concept of freedom of speech and press.
Understanding our democratic principles is important to Governor Christie and he is up front, consistent, aggressive when he needs to be, and a winner. He is also a man of his word and when he makes a commitment he lives up to it. He is pro-life, pro-marriage and lives up to vows he takes when he makes them. One is his marriage vow and the other is to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of New Jersey.
Walter F. Conner Sr.
Hightstown
President Obama and Governor Christie in their respective State of the Union and State of the State addresses spoke about the crisis of addiction. Opiate and heroin abuse have reached epidemic proportions.
It begs the question of why we are even considering the legalization of marijuana in the state of New Jersey? Every recovering addict I have spoken to started with marijuana. Sussex County Prosecutor Francis Koch stated that in the pre-sentencing reports almost all hard drug users started with marijuana. It is disingenuous of the Trenton Times to cite the "2015 Monitoring the Future Survey" and come to the conclusion that marijuana is not a gateway drug. I read that survey and no such data existed. However, what the survey did state was that daily use of marijuana is on the rise. "The proportion of our young people smoking marijuana this frequently remains a matter of concern."
The facts about marijuana are these:
-The THC levels today are 10x stronger than in the 1970's and therefore more addictive.
-The American Medical Association has come out against its legalization.
-The National Institutes of Health has enumerated on its detrimental effects including impaired thinking and judgement, difficulty learning, increased blood pressure, a weakened immune system, lung disease, and oral cancer to name a few.
According to "The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado The Impact dated September 2015" usage of marijuana increases dramatically once it is legalized. Vehicular deaths related to marijuana use is up by 48% from pre-commercialization years. Emergency room visits are up 46%.
We have the capability to extract the CBD from marijuana that possesses the medicinal value. The FDA should seek to regulate the medical benefit of this substance like any other drug. We should not be legalizing a substance in its current form that we know causes such harm to the public at large.
The New Jersey legislature has on its agenda a vote for the legalization of recreational use of marijuana. Everyone should call or e-mail their representatives to voice their opposition to this most poorly conceived legislation.
Sheri Galperin Rosen
Robbinsville
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