Governor Christie: It's Peanut Butter and Jelly Thursday

Yep. My calendar reminded me to look in my pantry. Its about that time of the week again to enjoy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, just to stretch the budget, you understand. I invite the Governor to join us because he insists every Jerseyite will share "the pain" as services are cut across the board.

Today the Governor tackles a pet project: getting a handle on the corrupt entities in Atlantic City's gambling venue. Somewhere along the line, the Mafia was mentioned.

Now the Mob in Philadelphia is something else. I remember when Joey Merlino was credited with buying his South Street neighborhood Thanksgiving turkeys. I don't think that anyone here gets Mob turkeys. Come to think of it, the Black Panther has sent food out on the street with the raised black fist on the side of the boxes. So how come we have the Mafia brought up now?

I think Mob talk is a red herring. Governor Christie is bent on cleaning up Atlantic City and he may have the tools to go after unlawful persons, but I personally think he is after the money.

According to the New Jersey Constitution, eight percent of the Atlantic City casino gross revenues, off the top, is dedicated to the use of the disabled, senior citizens, and funneled to nutrition and transportation programs. The monies were thought to be so vast that they were also supposed to to fund the Senior Gold and PAAD prescription drug programs. In today's financial reorganization climate, that seems to be up for grabs.

What would happen, for instance, if the Governor is unable to stabilize the Casino Revenue Fund adequately enough to fund senior programs? What would happen if he drops the Meadowlands sports arena and shuts down the race track and betting? He rashly proposes to let the struggling Xanadu project to continue and subsidize it because of some exotic premise that it will attract "high end" clients and party goers?

Cut me a break.

In this economy, we cannot afford $175 million in tax credits to a puffy bloated dead fish like Xanadu when the real minnows, senior citizens, need to be cared for. In the world of fishing, the small fry feed the larger fish. If the bait fish die off, the larger ones eat each other until the pond is bare.

In many societies in the world, the aged are revered and when they die, their bones are even worshiped. I don't think we have to go that far, but where is the respect? I am concerned on behalf of my fellow seniors that we are on the fringes of a world that considers our lifetimes and spirits expendable.

We must cherish and honor and support our senior citizens and disabled. It is the test of a society's strength how it cares for its weaker members. We should be ashamed of ourselves if we do not provide the shelter and caring environment to help retirees live out their declining years untroubled by desperate poverty.

We must not forget that policemen and garbage truck workers, architects and ticket takers, brick layers and dentists, apron clad housewives and former mayors are all going to be retirees someday. They may end up in public housing or may live with their children, but everyone will need prescription benefits and medical services that are backed up by public funds.

If we all eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on Thursdays, turning down take out or businessman's luncheons, think of the money we could save. Think of the money we could put to other uses.... even... adopting a senior.

So Governor Christie, if you must put an amendment in the NJ Constitution, how about Peanut Butter and Jelly Thursdays?

Have a nice day,

Seniors rock!