The Week Just Past:

My View of the State of the Union Address

President Highlights International Trade

America’s ‘War Footing’ in the State of the Union

This Week’s Salute: Tri Boro First Aid Squad

My View of the State of the Union Address

 “President Obama had the spotlight on Tuesday as he delivered a 65-minute speech to the American people and Congress. 

“Instead of using the opportunity to embrace bipartisan cooperation to meet the country’s challenges, he outlined a strategy for getting arounda divided Congress.

“He seems intent on signing a series of executive actions without congressional approval. 

“This ‘go it alone’ approach may very well violate the Constitution. 

 “Many opportunities exist for the President and the Congress to work together.  For starters, we could also speed efforts to expand trade opportunities and open overseas markets to U.S. goods.

“We could join together on the Keystone Pipeline to create thousands of permanent new jobs and promote America’s energy independence.”

 “In 2014, I will be working every day to promote job growth, reduce deficits, and create a stronger, more prosperous America.  I hope that in the months ahead the President will sincerely try to join with the Congress to accomplish these important goals.”

          Rodney Frelinghuysen

President Highlights International Trade

As part of his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Obama made a strong case for increased international trade.  “I was heartened Tuesday night by President Obama’s call for the Congress to approve bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority legislation,” Rodney said.  “However, I was disappointed the very next day to hear Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declare his opposition to this common sense legislation.”

International trade is indispensible to the economic strength of America, and New Jersey specifically.  Every year, billions of dollars of goods made in the United States flow through the Port of New York and New Jersey to nations across the globe.  The Port spurs more than $36 billion in economic activity annually, and is responsible for 279,000 jobs.

“The President needs to educate the Senate Majority Leader on the merits of opening foreign markets to U.S. goods and services!”

America’s ‘War Footing’ in the State of the Union

“I was discouraged to hear the President declare, ‘America must move off a permanent war footing.’  Representing  a ‘9-11 State’ I cannot accept the President’s judgment,” said Rodney, the Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee who serves with members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. 

“We understand that Americans have grown weary of the combat in Afghanistan.  However, the serious threats to our security are numerous and growing: al Qaeda- associated groups doggedly plotting to attack us and our allies, daily serious cyber attacks, an Iran that is determined to achieve nuclear weapons capability and an increasingly militaristic China. 

“We must never return to a ‘pre-911 mentality’ which found us unprepared and vulnerable.  Surely, violent international extremists are on their own offensive ‘war-footing!’

“Our job on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee is to ensure that our American men and women in uniform, and their families, have everything they need.  It’s also our responsibility to provide the resources so that the military and the intelligence community can execute any mission given them by the President. The President may call this a ‘permanent war footing.’  I call it being prepared to protect the American people!”

Recommended Reading:  L. Gordon Crovitz, writing in the Monday Wall Street Journal, “Mr. Obama, Tear Down Your Wall.”

This Week’s Salute: Tri-Boro First Aid Squad Marks 75 Years of Service

We offer a community “thank you” to the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad which is celebrating its 75th year serving Kinnelon, Butler, and Bloomingdale. Founded in 1939, the squad responded to more than 1,600 calls last year, a record for these intrepid volunteers.

Read more about the squad at the Tri-Boro Patch.

Happy Chinese New Year! The “Year of the Horse” begins!

Additional Recommended Reading: Frederick Kagan, writing in the Tuesday Wall Street Journal, “Obama Flirts With Losing the 'Must Win' War. Withdrawal from Afghanistan will be a defeat for America and a victory for al Qaeda.”