TRENTON, NJ – We’re now a year and a half into the neverending story of the COVID-19 lockdowns and for the first time since the pandemic began, Republicans have finally made a scene in the state capitol building. Sure, it was because the draconian lockdowns by Phil Murphy and the Democrats finally affected them personally, but hey, whatever it takes right?
Throughout the pandemic, Republican leaders were largely silent against Phil Murphy, limited to some angry press releases here and maybe a few tweets there, but during the height of the pandemic, they were pretty much non-existent.
Some were showing off their mad baking skills like Senator Mike Testa, while others like Ocean County Assemblyman Greg P. McGuckin were busy amassing public contract fortunes while town meetings were closed to the public.
Sure, some worked a bit more than others, but let’s face it, they’re powerless in Trenton and most of them are powered by pay to play contracts and they don’t want to make too many waves in Trenton out of fear of losing their lucrative municipal and state jobs.
Now, only when the Murphy pandemic powers affect them do they finally rally at the statehouse in defiance of the COVID-19 lockdown.s
Where were they at the school board meetings when parents were fighting mask mandates? Crickets.
Where were they when Murphy’s shut down was forcing businesses out of business? Crickets.
Where were they when the Murphy administration singled out one business, Atillis Gym, and its owners to cause severe financial hardship that could have happened to anyone in New Jersey? Crickets.
But tell the New Jersey Republicans to wear a face mask in the statehouse and they went full-scale rebellion mode.
Don’t tread on us! They have had enough. The pandemic finally hit home. Now, Republicans in Trenton want sympathy from the voters and from the media over their newfound skill of civil disobedience and protest.
Sorry fellas, where were you a year and a half ago when we had to sit and watch you all bake bread, make pizza, and show us how you were weathering the lockdown, still getting your state salaries, benefits, and state contracts while the average New Jersey resident lost their business, their jobs and many, their health insurance policies and even their homes because of the lockdown.
It’s too little too late and the spark that ignited them was their own minor misfortune. The protest accomplished nothing, except for a bunch of guys in suits whining about wearing face masks while the rest of us are forced to put chin diapers on our children every single day of the workweek…and yet on that topic, I don’t see them storming the statehouse for them like they did when it was about themselves.
New Jersey Republicans, you can do better. Show us you actually have a backbone and the will to fight against Murphy. Stop sending me press releases every single day and get out there and show that you mean what you have your communications officer write in words actually means something.