Mr. Froelich.....are there any debates scheduled between yourself and Rep. Smith?

He hasn't shown for any of the several previously scheduled town halls. (He did appear at the Asbury Park Press editorial board interview but that was a private session.) Some people are trying to schedule another but I don't think he has responded yet. (At least I haven't heard that he has.)
Brian

saw one of your signs next to a Ms lbgtvlmnop on a lawn or i wouldn't even know who you were---and like her, will be driven back into obscurity in 15 days.

Elephants don't trifle with gnats...............

Chris Smith's radio commercials make me cringe. He boasts that he is an advocate for veteran's wives. Well, talking to a few veteran's wives in my district, his offices do not return their calls, they refuse to address issues for veterans who need immediate care, and he has cut veterans programs. It is no wonder he was kicked off their commission. This video sums up his feelings on women. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kMzwXXlbdI

Beth Ann, you have posted a bold lie about Congressman Smith's work with Veterans. The New York Times, of all sources, prove your comment is a lie:

"WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 - Representative Christopher H. Smith's removal as chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee by the House Republican caucus drew strong protests on Thursday from veterans' groups that praised Mr. Smith as unwilling to toe the Republican Party line.

"The Republicans needed a chairman who would consistently say no to veterans' groups and say yes to the Republican leadership," said Richard B. Fuller, national legislative director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, which has about 22,000 members and is based in Washington. "That meant get rid of Chris Smith."

"Mr. Smith, a longtime New Jersey congressman who frequently clashed with party leaders over budgetary issues, wrote 22 veteran-related laws during his four years as chairman and advocated improvements to the G.I. Bill, increased spending for the veterans' health care system and the creation of new loans for young veterans seeking to buy a house.

"Removing a chairman is not only unusual, it's unprecedented," said Dennis M. Cullinan, national legislative service director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, which has about two million members and is based in Kansas City, Mo. "Mr. Smith had two years left in his position before he was term-limited out."
(Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/07/nyregion/07smith.html?_r=0)

It is nice that the NY Times gave him a plug but here are the actual facts.

Smith actually wrote 11 veteran laws (not 22) during his 4 year term as Chairman. [The 12 laws are on his website. One of them was written before he was chairman and is essentially only a resolution] That number is about average for the head of that committee. Most of those laws were routine annual bills to adjust benefit levels that are authored/renewed every year by the committee head.

Second, (and as per the NYTimes and many other articles) He got fired for shooting his mouth off and embarrassing Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the administration.

Smith was sent to Washington by constituents (and assigned to the committee) to represent them (and help veterans) and to work with whatever administration was in place. As committee chair his role is to lead and influence the committee and administration. After 20 years he was finally given a leadership role and was fired after only 4 years. Does getting fired from that leadership position help veterans or fulfill his role?

Businesses often hire people to be client representative to represent the company with the client. If the client said that person had publicly embarrassed them and wanted him removed, that person would be fired- not called a hero.

In fact Smith’s actions, insults, and obstructive behavior even today are exactly what is wrong with Washington. And he should be fired!

Just over 17 years ago my son was born and about two and a half years later he was taken from us and replaced by a child that look the same but had no speech, no eye contact, and no affect. Autism in its most regressive form had changed his life, my wife’s life and mine forever. We were not strangers to developmental disorders having a niece and nephew in similar situations but we were strangers to the heartbreak and despair we were suffering but refused to be over taken by it. My dear bride set out on a life long journey that continues today to help heal our child, not cure him but heal him since Autism is a sickness. I set off to look for help, to better prepare others like us and to provide for a greater understanding on this soon to be recognized epidemic.

Realizing that I would be unable to fight this battle alone, I sought out others in my situation and then together we realized that we all needed a stronger and more caring voice with greater power yet equal passion and with luck we found him, a U.S. Congressman named Chris Smith.

Now I am one who prior to this cynically uses the term Congressman as a punch line and while I still may for many members of the House it is Chris Smith that packs the real punch. When it came to listening to the issue of autism he was all ears and when it came to listening to the crying father he was all friend.

For the past 15 years I have had a friend in the US Congress in Chris Smith, someone who I could proudly say was not just my Congressman but was America’s Congressman. He will take positions unpopular within his own party despite what retributions would come. He fights for the veterans he represents, he fights for the seniors he represents, he goes into foreign countries and frees young ladies visiting their grandparents and he reunites son’s with their fathers taken from them by foreign Countries.

Watching that political crisis unfold with the Brazilian Government made me proud and sad because I knew That Chris was doing everything for that father and for me to reconnect us with our sons but sadly my situation even he cannot fix. However everyday with a wonderfully dedicated and bright staff he is fighting to make the world a safer and better place for my son so one day when they put me in the ground I can be a piece knowing my son is safely being cared for.

We are different in our political views in some ways but when it comes to those issue’s we also find common ground. Chris is Pro Life and I not but that difference is our greatest bind. I believe that to be pro life you must be willing to support and educate to the best of our abilities those who need help, so does Chris Smith and his voting record on Special Ed Funding and the IDEA Act prove that. Too many Pro Lifers do not care after someone is born,,,, Those words do not care are never part of any conversation I have had with any about Chris Smith. He has even as recently as last month, supported me in an on going debate I am having with Gov. Chris Christie, over the future of my child ands those of my sister’s children who passed last June leaving them in my care.

If you are lucky enough to have a Congressman like Chris Smith Treasure It! He is rare in today’s world not just in politics!

Geoff,

First let me say that I am glad that Chris Smith and many others are working to cure diseases like Autism and others. And I don’t try to negate any of the positive things that Chris Smith has done.

But he is not alone or unusual in that regard. And in fact that is what he is supposed to be doing for the District constituents. Using Autism as an example, he is one of 131 members of the Autism Caucus. On recent legislation that was authored by a Democrat from Massachusetts he was one of over 200 co-sponsors and the law was passed by 100% of the House members.

I also have a record of providing outstanding service to millions of the most demanding customers here and around the world. That service ranged from providing private planes for the wealthy to changing bed pans and diapers for the helpless elderly.

But on the big public policy issues Chris Smith has simply been wrong. The spending and debt that he has helped authorize over these many years can’t be ignored.

Finally I hope your child is benefiting from all the good work going on in the Autism field. I will keep him/her and others in my prayers.

bd

Not sure who that comment was made toward but I am sure both Brian and Chris are as happy as my wife and I are that our child is alive, Not an appropriate comment here sorry!

I am pro choice. I choose to not pay for someone else's abortion or contraceptives.

If they want to have an abortion, keep the child or use birthcontrol, that is their choice and they can pay for any of their choices.

I agree with John Jay who has posted a million times on the patch about it - eugenics is the way to go.

I am definitely pro-choice and I think the commentator above is correct. These "pro-life" people run around trying to keep free abortions and contraceptives out of the urban areas but then they complain when we have to deal with the welfare and crime! SHOW ME THE MONEY!!

I would definitely help support a disabled child but as we become more technologically advanced and are able to detect birth defects in utero we should definitely do the child, parents and society a favor and abort. I don't want to hear any nonsense. People who claim that these disabled people have meaningful lives are full or it, cruel or just plain selfish. No able bodied person would switch placed with a mentally retarded person and live the so called "meaningful life."

Geoff, I did not know Merrick, NY is in our district.

Beth Ann Good Point I have no idea why I log into the patch on the few occasions that I do as Merrick NY. I know where it is and used to have friends there but I am a Jersey Shore guy just goggle me. Also serve as a volunteer on the state council for Developmental Disabilities. Sad that some here wish my son dead:( Not Mr. Smith Even though my boy doesn't speak much he is happy and like to ride horses work sometimes in Pet Co and loves to swim. His life has meaning to him and to me his mom and those who meet him. Very disturbing perhaps time for me to sign off. Again nothing against Merrick NY but I do not live there!

back to basics... chris smith is against abortion..for privatizing social secuirity .. and changing medicare to a voucher program .. his veterans chairmanship firing happened when walter read exploded... he apprropriated 2 million to the lakewood orthodox special schhol ..... 30 years is too long for any elected official
yelad

Interesting give and take by everyone. It's too bad that the voters in the district have not been given the opportunity to hear both of the candidates debate/discuss the issues face to face.

Stopped reading after first sentence ("there are two Mitt Romneys"). Figured the article was one big factless plolitical jab.

Here's the debate, Bob English: To what degree does Froelich=Obama?

I say a vote for Froelich is a vote for Obama.

Brian Froelich openly aligns himself with a "9/11 Truther." Brian advertised for a fundraiser with actress Christine Ebersole, a woman who has repeatedly claimed that 9/11 was an inside job. Her words are despicable and by fundraising with her Brian you insult me and all of the thousands of individuals who lost their lives on September 11th 2001 INCLUDING the 147 people from Monmouth County, and 17 people from Ocean County.

First, I happily and openly admit that Christine Ebersole and her family are old, dear, friends of mine and I admire her and her husband for many reasons. Her politics are her business. She was gracious and generous in her willingness to support my fundraiser and I proudly accepted her personal support. I have no need to explain my friendship with her and her family to you.

Second, your attempt to establish some kind of guilt by association and then to do it in the name of the victims of 9/11 is beneath contempt. And, as such, I am happy to have insulted you in any way possible. (It was apparently easy.) But please don’t presume to speak for the victims of 9/11. I suggest that you just go back to your birth certificate search or watching Fox.

Mr. Froelich

In response to another poster, you wrote the following: "But on the big public policy issues Chris Smith has simply been wrong. The spending and debt that he has helped authorize over these many years can’t be ignored."

As a new member of Congress should you win, your most important vote will be to put the Democratic leadership in control of the House. When the Democrats last had control of the House, they engaged in a multitude of grossly irresponsible spending initiatives. Given that you'd be voting (I'd presume) to hand the House back over to your party's leadership, how can you possibly be credible in arguing that you're the more fiscally responsible party in this race? It's well and good to say that you'd vote for or against this particular piece of legislation, but it seems to me that the single most important vote you'd cast in your term would be one for trillions of dollars in debt and cooperation with one of the most fiscally irresponsible administrations in American history.

In response to Steve you wrote the following:

" Her politics are her business. She was gracious and generous in her willingness to support my fundraiser and I proudly accepted her personal support. I have no need to explain my friendship with her and her family to you."

With respect, sir, evidently her politics are *your* business as well if you're accepting and even advertising her support in your fundraising efforts. It's not her "personal support" that's at issue, but her material and financial support to your campaign. Do you see the difference between those two things? I can assure you that most people reading probably do. And yes, you do have to explain your public life and the people in it if you want to ask people for their votes and for their support. If you don't want to answer questions about your public associations and where you're getting money to fund your campaign, might not Congress be the wrong place for you?

Given that you're not a known quantity to many of the people of the district you're seeking to represent, do you think it's unfair for people to judge you at least in part by your voluntary associations (particularly those with people whom you openly say you admire)? Growing up I always learned that the company we keep reflects for better or worse upon our character. What do you imagine this particular personal and political association says about your character?

J'accuse

First, my campaign funds are a matter of public record. You can, as they say, look it up.

Second, if you are trying to scurrilously disqualify me for my associations then let me make your job easy. I have thousands of friends and acquaintances. Many of them you probably won’t like for their various and myriad opinions on all kinds of subjects. Some of them are priest, nuns and rabbis; some of them addicted or convicted criminals; some fabulously wealthy and some penniless; some believe in God and some don’t; some are very liberal and some very conservative; and some of them even Republicans or Tea Party. I admire and complement them each on the good things they have done and pray to strengthen their weaknesses. And I try to learn something from each.

My character does in fact reflect my 66 year record and life in business and in the community- and my many friends and acquaintances. Please feel free to judge away and vote accordingly.

Excellent reply, Mr. Froelich. I will retract my earlier statement that a vote for you = Obama. The issue of "Obamacare" however, is very concerning to me -- I am projecting that I will owe at least $2,000 more/year in taxes and insurance costs because of Obamacare.

I am not saying this as a partisan -- it is 100% truth. There is no way I can support anyone who is going to takle $2,000 from my family and won't see a dime's worth of benefits.

In the event of a loss, if Congressman Smith asked you for ideas "as a businessman" that would help our economy recover, where Obamacare is repealed, would you help him?

RE: "Brian Froelich 12:34 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 The right answer is that a vote for Froelich is a vote for Froelich. I support President Obama and hope that he wins. But I will support whoever wins and try to help them be successful (improve the economy and reduce the debt) - then we are all successful. I don’t owe anyone anything and have been independent all my life. My record is successful and public.

"The strategy of Smith, Ryan and many other (not all) Republicans have been to insure that Obama fails, not that the people win. That record is also public."

Brian - 4% increases??? where do you see that low #?

If a middle class family is paying $15k and it goes up 4%, that's $600 bucks. Are you suggesting that is chump change?

What is Obamacare specifically doing to control costs? Costs are the problem don't you agree?

Check out stopthehit.com

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the health insurance mandate, most Americans must be insured starting in 2014 or pay a penalty.

The penalty will be assessed on your tax return and administered by the IRS. But exactly how is a big question.

The IRS has not issued its guidance yet. But IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman addressed the issue shortly after the law was enacted in 2010.

Based on his comments, a reading of the Affordable Care Act and information from the Kaiser Family Foundation, here's a look at just how the mandate will work and how it will be enforced. (Related: What companies need to know about the law)

What will I have to pay? In 2014, the penalty will be no more than $285 per family or 1% of income, whichever is greater. In 2015, the cap rises to $975 or 2% of income. And by 2016, the penalty will go to $2,085 per family or 2.5% of income, whichever is greater.

If a poor family declines to buy health insurance, they could pay $2k a year penalty...I mean tax......is that helping them???

Brian - how will Obamacare help our school district? Township

http://www.manchestertwp.org/cms/lib4/NJ01001700/Centricity/Domain/267/2012-13UserFriendlyBudget.htm

Healthcare spending is $10.5 millon out of the $51 millon budget - 20%.

Are you saying it will only go up 4% next year? Maybe increase costs $500,000.

Thanks Brian - my costs for renewal went up 11% to over $16k a year. I found the report. It is here since you did not provide it as a reference to your blog.

http://www.kff.org/insurance/ehbs091112nr.cfm

Assuming 4% is the figure. On a $15k policy, that is a $600 increase. If the employee (non-government) makes $50,000, he would need a 3% raise to keep pace. We know that is not happening not even in government thanks to the 2% cap.

That means middle income families continue to get hurt by rising costs since Obamacare does nothing to fix them.

It's interesting you bring up subsidies. How can we pay for subsidies given we have a trillion dollar budget deficit? Are we borrowing to give out this subsidy? Isn't this how we got to the deficit and debt now?

Maybe it would help us understand in a real situation how Obamacare is helping us as citizens and taxpayers. How will it affect the costs and benefits of the school system? Will costs go up? The election for BOE is soon so this might help us decided who to vote for.

First, there are lots of pieces to the Act and many are aimed at lowering the cost of healthcare. (You can see a summary at http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8061.pdf)
Second, the subsidies are built into the (cost/revenue) budget of the plan.
Finally, in sum, The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the act will provide coverage to an additional 32 million when fully implemented in 2019 through a combination of the newly created Exchanges and the Medicaid expansion.
CBO estimates the cost of the coverage components of the new law to be $938 billion over ten years. These costs are financed through a combination of savings from Medicare and Medicaid and new taxes and fees, including an excise tax on high-cost insurance, which CBO estimates will raise $32 billion over ten years. CBO also estimates that the health reform law will reduce the deficit by $124 billion over ten year

Brian you also mentioned you would cut the debt if elected....that I support......can you provide specifics?

In 10 years, Obama's budget is projected to grow the debt to $25 trillion. If Obamacare does what is claimed, $124 billion won't pay for 1/4 of that years interest expenses. You mention the savings from Medicare and Medicaid. What savings? Medicare is adding nearly $500 billion a year to the deficit. If we save on medicare, doesn't that only lessen Medicare's contribution to the deficit.

How familiar are you with Obama's budget?

Brian - according to Obama's 2012 budget which is on the government website and sadly not passed by the Democrats including Menendez in the Senate,

Medicare spending for 2012 equals $478 Billon. Medicaid spending equals $255 Billion. That's $733 Billion in spending.

Medicare taxes collected equal $226 Billion.

That leaves a shortfall for these 2 programs just for 2012 of $500+ Billion.

Since we know we have a budget deficit - over $1 Trillion or so, we borrow this money and the debt grows increasing our interest expense and adding more burden to our children and grandchildren.

Do you support borrowing money to pay for Medicare and Medicaid?

Please provide the details of what about Simpson Bowles you like? You do know Simpson Bowles doesn't balance the budget or lower the debt right?

Who are you Dems trying to fool? It's all about THE MONEY. This Obamacare nonsense is DESIGNED to screw the working man/woman out of their money. It's a SCAM -- a TAX that is paid to the INSURANCE COMPANIES which are owned by the MEGA-BANKS.

Obama is in the BACK POCKET of the bankster/fraudster cartel. As long as his American-hating wife and their kids get vacations and the good life at the taxpayer's expense, they couldn't care less if we live or die.

The Simpson-Bowles plan allows for $80 billion annually to reduce the deficit. It also talks about removing tax loopholes. Furthermore, the plan is not finalized, it is simply the concept that is completely correct. I am sure that is what Brian is talking about.
Which the republicans should know Mitt Romney said President Obama was foolish not to jump on.

Emily $80 B a year to reduce the deficit?? Really??

the CBO projected that under Obama's current budget proposal, the debt will increase by $8 trillion more through 2022 - add that to the $16 Trillon we already owe and cannot pay back. $16 + $8 = $24 TRILLION......$24 TRILLION.

BS called for revenue increases and expense cuts of nearly 1 to 1 ratio

BS would have reduced the $8 Trillion number (on top of the $16+ Trillion) added to approx $3.5 Trillion

That is still an average annual increase of $350 B per year in the debt.

BS does not balance the budget at any time. It also does not factor in any fallout from tax increases or spending cuts as they would presumably affect economic activity in other ways.

If BS implemented, the debt will still grow to $20 TRILLION

If you or Obama or Menendez or anyone supports BS, does that mean you accept that Medicare and SS will have cuts?

Brian - I appreciate the responses to my questions last night. Could you please answer the rest for the voters this one in particular.

According to Obama's 2012 budget which is on the government website and sadly not passed by the Democrats including Menendez in the Senate,

Medicare spending for 2012 equals $478 Billon. Medicaid spending equals $255 Billion. That's $733 Billion in spending.

Medicare taxes collected equal $226 Billion.

That leaves a shortfall for these 2 programs just for 2012 of $500+ Billion.

Since we know we have a budget deficit - over $1 Trillion or so, we borrow this money and the debt grows increasing our interest expense and adding more burden to our children and grandchildren.

Do you support borrowing money to pay for Medicare and Medicaid?

Democrat Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.) son is caught committing voter fraud! Shocked? I'm not. This guy needs to go straight to federal prison -- including his father if they can get the goods on him!

"The son of Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va. – who serves as the field director for his father’s campaign – has been caught on video advising an undercover reporter how to fraudulently cast ballots in the name of registered voters by forging utility bills and relying on the assistance of Democrat lawyers." (Source: http://www.wnd.com/2012/10/video-captures-dem-campaign-chief-plotting-vote-fraud/)

Gee....I thought there was no such thing as fraud...at least that's what so many Dems here claim!

I think I'll just end here with this observation, you criticized Menendez above because when he went to Congress the National Debt was $8 trillion and now it is $16.

But when Republican Chris Smith, a career politician, went to Washington the national debt was under $1 trillion. And he has had a Republican team in place during much of his time there. Yet he, and the Republicans, take no responsibility for any of that debt or the condition that we find ourselves in

I am not interested in having a discussion that has a one sided Republican political agenda of just attacking Democratic proposals and/or individuals.

My plans, positions, proposals, and comments are very public. In short I support the Simpson Bowles Plan and Obamacare. My opponent has voted for the Ryan Plan and against Obamacare and has vowed to repeal it. Beyond that he has made almost no public comments on the economy or economic issues.

Please feel free to attack my relative position and record at your leisure.

Brian - that is very cowardly of you. Just when I thought you were sincere. I know you said you support BS but BS doesn't get the job done. I asked you to tell us, the voters, if you believe in borrowing money to pay for Medicare? Why are you afraid to answer that? Chris Smith may not be worthy either but that is the question. What are you or Obama or Menendez or any other politician R or D going to do to lower the debt and cut spending? It's a simple question. if you want the job, that is what it requires and we deserve an honest answer. if not, you have proven yourself not worthy of our consideration. Again, thanks for your time and answers but if this is the end of the discussion, I have to give you an "incomplete" just like Obama gave himself.

Do you disagree with the facts I have stated below?

According to Obama's 2012 budget which is on the government website and sadly not passed by the Democrats including Menendez in the Senate,

Medicare spending for 2012 equals $478 Billon. Medicaid spending equals $255 Billion. That's $733 Billion in spending.

Medicare taxes collected equal $226 Billion.

That leaves a shortfall for these 2 programs just for 2012 of $500+ Billion.

Since we know we have a budget deficit - over $1 Trillion or so, we borrow this money and the debt grows increasing our interest expense and adding more burden to our children and grandchildren.

Do you support borrowing money to pay for Medicare and Medicaid?

"Yet Rep Smith accused President Obama and his administration of criminal activity for supporting that process since the Constitution contained a woman’s right to abortion in the case of rape, incest, or health." Can you please show me where in the Constitution the right to kill an unborn baby is? What one of the constitutional amendments lists the right to abortion?

Smith is hardly an effective representative, and his voting record scores a 46% by the conservative group Hertiage Foundation. He's hardly conservative, and barely a Republican. But he's all we have, because the Democrats offer no viable alternative.

Hi Spooner - of course not. All 97 could never all be Democrats. That would be just awful. Why did the Democrats vote NO on Obama's budget? Of course, voting no isn't the same as actually cutting spending since we all know the deficit this year is up another $1 trillion plus. The question is with Medicare running a $500 Billion a year deficit, do Democrats and Republicans support borrowing to pay for it? Does Menendez have any votes to cut the debt.....it's up 100% since he was sworn in. I can't believe he just sits back and let's it happen and then pretends he cares.

Smith voted against the Women's Equal Rights amendment in the 1990's? Are you kidding? The ERA was passed by both the senate and house in 1972! It was then put to a vote in each on the 50 state for ratification, which it failed to do within the constitutional limits of 1979, and the unconstitutional extension signed by the second worst President in history Jimmy Carter. Smith was voted into Congress in 1981!

Unbelievable. You've been "fact checked" and exposed.

Spooner can you ever be serious? You start out with the raw facts and they emotionally tie a what if personal situation to it......we have a spending crisis, we have a debt crisis, we have a jobs crisis so yes something has to get cut.......the spending in 2008 was $2.8 trillion and today its $3.8 trillion. Let's start by going back to 2008 levels.......what do you propose to lop off $1 trillion a year before we even talk about the $16 TRILLION DONKEY in the room.

Brian is running for office....he needs to answer the questions.....same for Smith. Stop the soundbites. Stop the games. Cuts are required. You and I both know it.

Spend at 2008 levels
according also to Obama's budget projections, revenues will be $2.9 T in 2013
Budget would be balanced based on my assumption of 08 spending and Obama's assumption of 2013 revenues

@ NJarhead & Da Poppa
I hate to waste my time on people who waste my time but I don’t like being incorrectly called a liar.
First, if you actually read what I said, I was talking about the new Kenya constitution (not the US Constitution!) containing the right to abortion. That is what Smith objected to.
Second, there was also a Women’s ERA bill introduced in the House in the 1990s (that failed by 6 votes). You can look it up!
Please no more nonsense.

Do you disagree with the facts I have stated below?

According to Obama's 2012 budget which is on the government website and sadly not passed by the Democrats including Menendez in the Senate,

Medicare spending for 2012 equals $478 Billon. Medicaid spending equals $255 Billion. That's $733 Billion in spending.

Medicare taxes collected equal $226 Billion.

That leaves a shortfall for these 2 programs just for 2012 of $500+ Billion.

Since we know we have a budget deficit - over $1 Trillion or so, we borrow this money and the debt grows increasing our interest expense and adding more burden to our children and grandchildren.

Do you support borrowing money to pay for Medicare and Medicaid?

Froelich and Smith are in the positions they are in because they have a deep-seated interest in seeing their community thrive. Yes, their approaches are quite different, but I feel I must give credit and respect where it is due (regardless of which party I happen to like).

Residents of D4 deserve transparency and attentiveness, and Froelich has posted here numerous times to make his stances clear and hear concerns from actual constituents. I respect that.

Those of you who have taken this opportunity to devote entire days of your lives to making Froelich repeat himself are beyond childish. Political TROLLING at its worst! Some of the posts here, excluding one exceptional story, indicate the same thing I have come to find with Smith -- despite his "record" of constituent service, he is incredibly difficult to get in touch with. So now Smith and Froelich are fighting for my vote. Smith has ignored me. Froelich has made it a point to stick his neck out and give me an opportunity to voice my concerns.

TROLLS like you ruin this opportunity. Stick to your talking points and keep bending your facts. Nobody cares. Saturate every article you find with whatever garbage you feel inclined to spew. Sounds like fun, really. The rest of us in D4 might actually get something productive done one of these days. Unemployment is APPALLING and our congressman has been MIA. Period. Mr. Froelich is here trying to make his community a better place. Why are you here?

This is how we can fix it. Make insurance illegal. It does nothing but make a few pencil pushers and doctors very wealthy. Let everyone pay for their own medical services. If you cannot afford it you can suffer and or die. It is what happened before all of this managed care nonsense. There are too many people in the world anyway. It will have the added advantage of bringing down unemployment, creating more housing and lowering welfare since urban people with aids and GSWs will be the first to go.

menendez, where do you suppose we'd get the money for Mitts war spending, tax cuts etc.. etc..? you don't care about the deficit for if you did you/d demand hard number facts from ryan and or mitt as to where their money to cut deficit would come from? they don't have a clue and not one sain person can do their foggy hidden math and make it decrease the budget one cent. stop lying about caring about the deficit and say you want these two lying idiots in office.

We can get rid of the deficit by stopping all medicaid, medicare and social security for any person born today moving forward and refunding all premiums collected with interest to anyone under 30. Also end welfare and any spending on "aid" to foreign nations and institutions like the imf and un. Boom. Done.

You've copy and pasted the same message on here 5 times. Congrats. Does the GOP pay you to press Ctrl + V or do you do it out of the kindness of your heart?

The budget deficit is a problem, yes. But it's a problem Congress will have to solve TOGETHER.

How does Chris Smith approach the problem? He pledged his allegiance to Grover Norquist. Not to his constituents or the American people, but to a millionaire lobbyist bent on pushing his own agenda through Congress. Froelich is a moderate (his word not mine) and backs the bi-partisan backed Simpson-Bowles plan. One of these candidates wants a solution, and even has one in mind. The other wants... to do whatever Grover Norquist tells him.

New Jersey House Republicans have pledged allegiance to Grover Norquist - NJ.com:
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerletters/2011/07/new_jersey_house_republicans_h.html

menendez, you silly shill. you answer nothing and hide behind people's name you claim to dislike. Don't you know advertisement is a form of flattery and by putting that handle on yourself you actually are looking totally stupid advertising for them? Go on and tell us how ryan and romneys economic plan would reduce deficit by one sent? let's save money by stopping aid to Israel that doesnt need it. At least the other countries need it for some reason or other. Israel sends it back to congress through the lobbyist pac of theirs. kick backs through corrupt souls in the name of God? nice.