Retire Garrett

Scott Garrett has been involved in the bailout debate in Congress since it began in late September. He has been one of many Congressmen, from both parties, opposed to bailing out the big businesses whose incompetence helped lead us into the economic crisis. He has effectively expressed what has been on the minds of many people since the collapse of Wall Street and the meltdown of the “Big 3″ automakers.

Yet Congressman Garrett’s voting record since his 2002 election disputes the stances he has taken on the bailouts and economic crisis. His votes, speeches, and media appearances regarding the bailout and economy are dishonest.

The evidence speaks for itself: Read more…

Scott Garrett is not a fan

Congressman Garrett has possibly the worst record on the environment of any politician in America since official ratings started in the 1970′s.

Environmental groups such as Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Friends of the Earth Action, and American Wilderness Coalition consistently give Garrett grades in the 0 to 25% range regarding his votes on environmentally-related legislation. (Project Vote Smart)

The interest group Republicans for Environmental Protection gave Garrett a 17% rating in 2008. Even Republicans find it hard to support the Congressman.

Brent Blackwelder, the President of the respected environmental organization Friends of the Earth Action recently said this about Rep. Garrett’s environmental record:

“Rep. Garrett has almost always voted against the health of New Jersey families, against the conservation of energy, against the protection of important parks and natural areas. He repeatedly sides with special interests against the public interest. It’s time for him to go.” Read more…

Here is how Scott Garrett responded to allegations from Democratic opponent Dennis Shulman during the 2008 election that he opposes energy independence:

“We’re taking this a little more seriously. The energy crisis shouldn’t be used as a political football. Instead of using it as a political ploy for games, you need to address the issues.” – Scott Garrett Campaign Manager Amanda Gasperino (Easton Express-Times, 8/20/08).

Here is the voting record indicating how Scott Garrett has “addressed the issues” relating to the energy crisis and American energy independence:

• The watchdog group Campaign for America’s Future, which supports energy independence for America, gave Garrett a 0% voter rating, indicating that he is completely opposed to energy independence.

• Garrrett has received nearly $90,000 from Oil & Gas companies since entering Congress and has voted in favor of Oil companies on 91% of the legislation tied to their interests.

• After the jump is a selection of the votes in which Garrett favored Oil and Gas companies. Have I mentioned these companies paid the Congressman almost $90,000 since he entered Congress? Read more…

(You know, the one that starts with a d- and ends with an -ouche)

Scott Garrett’s job is to represent the public’s best interests. Naturally that includes education, especially for children. Except that Congressman Garrett has shown himself to be a staunch opponent of pro-education legislation. Garrett once stated, “we could do without the Department of Education.”Congressman Garrett home schools his kids, and apparently thinks everyone else should too.

Garrett also believes intelligent design should be taught in schools alongside the theory of evolution, because according to him, “intelligent design is one (theory) that is apparently growing in some scientific communities.” Inquiring minds want to know – what scientific communities believe in intelligent design!?

Read more…

In the inaugural edition of “The Scott Garret Vote Flashback” we turn the clock back  to 2006 when Congressman Garrett voted against reauthorizing the epochal Voting Rights Act of 1965.  That’s right folks, Congressman Garrett voted against outlawing the racist voting practices responsible for the disenfranchisement of African Americans.  He was the only Congressman North of the Mason-Dixon Line to vote Nay on the Act’s passage.

Let me repeat: In the year 2006, Congressman Scott Garrett, Representative of the 5th District of New Jersey, supported people who sought, “to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color.” Garrett opposed the same Voting Rights Act that was passed after the legendary Selma to Montgomery marches in 1964 and 65 – the marches in which police used attack dogs and fire hoses to restrain participants. Read more…

by: Matthew Jordan

Although Passaic County only encompasses a small portion of NJ-5, it is a place where a strong Democratic message could (and has) resonated. However, like most of the Western part of the district it gets overlooked. This needs to change in 2010.

If Democrats make a concerted effort to win over the voters in the Passaic County municipalities a majority of the votes can be won for the Democratic nominee.

Out of the four towns of West Milford, Wanaque, Ringwood, and part of Bloomingdale, there are the following elected officials (that I could find, if I am missing any please add them in the comments):

Freeholder Terry Duffy- West Milford
Freeholder Sonia Rosada- Ringwood
Mayor Bettina Bieri- West Milford
Councilman Robert Nolan- West Milford
Councilwoman Karen Cisco- Wanaque

These elected officials, especially the Freeholders, need to be engaged in taking down Garrett in 2010. Everyone will gain in NJ-5 if we elect a new Congressman. Scott Garrett has done little to bring funding back to the district, and consistenly votes against environment and economic interests in the district. It is the job of locally elected Democrats to convey how Scott Garrett’s presence in Congress is contrary their day-to-day interests.

This dismal record needs to be exposed and these elected officials need to be at the front lines of informing voters of what Garrett has done in Washington.

By my unofficial count their are several Council races in these towns, 2 in Wanaque, West Milford, and Ringwood (Bloomingdale I am unsure about). Volunteers, donors, and organizers need to be mobilized to elect as many local officials in 2009 as possible inside of NJ-5.

Additionally, the Assembly races in LD40 are vitally important. These legislative and local races will be key to laying the foundation for 2010.

Scott Garrett recently penned an op-ed in the New Jersey Herald that “hilariously” compared Congress’s attempt at revitalizing the economy to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky movies. This inappropriate stab at humor reminded me of our current lame duck President*. First Garrett’s “Rocky” quote:

“Congress is currently discussing a “Stimulus II” package, to potentially be voted on next week. The word “stimulus” is really a misnomer, used to shore up public support for yet another bailout. In reality, it’s “Spending II: Bailout Returns.” It’s unclear as to whether Nancy Pelosi will be fighting Apollo Creed in this bailout sequel, but by the end of the 110th Congress, there will be more chapters in the bailout saga than there are Rocky movies.”

And the man Garrett resembles when he tries to crack wise about our country falling apart (go to the 1:15 marker for an explanation of the economic crisis I’m sure Garrett would agree with):

*Unfortunately the original video of Will Ferrell hilariously and accurately impersonating President Bush was removed by YouTube. Instead I have provided a clip of the President succinctly explaining the Conservative strategy for improving the economy.

*Thanks to Dennis Shulman’s campaign for Congress for providing this

As of the end of 2006, the American Conservative Union had only given a “perfect” score of 100 to two members of Congress for their lifetime voting record; Scott Garrett was one of them.

Scott Garrett has been a consistent supporter of George Bush’s war in Iraq.

Scott Garrett voted for drilling off the New Jersey shore, and in the federally protected areas in Alaska.*

Scott Garrett voted against the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act which ensures that access to voting would not be denied based on race.*

Scott Garrett voted against requiring that HMOs pay for mammographies.*

Scott Garrett voted against providing health insurance to poor children (SCHIP).

Scott Garrett voted against the federal funding of stem cell research.

Scott Garrett voted for every one of the bloated Bush budgets. Read more…

He Ran Away.

Congressman Scott Garrett does not deserve to represent the 5th District of New Jersey. He has a pitiful voting record that has a minimal effect on the lives of his constituents and the rest of the country. While Garrett did not cause the current economic crisis or lead us into the Iraq quagmire, he certainly did nothing to prevent either debacle – similar to the constant stream of other societal issues he refuses to address as a public official. Here is how Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts responded to Garrett’s claim that he “valiantly” attempted to prevent the current economic collapse: Read more…