Costs Outweigh Benefits

To the Editor: 
New Jersey “electile dysfunction” voters have elected the governor of their choice. Our governor was elected on his “platform” to have New Jersey become a sanctuary state, to raise taxes on millionaires, raise the state sales tax, and legalize marijuana. What does that mean for you and your children? 
How many residents and voters have taken the opportunity to evaluate how others with the same political “leadership” have benefitted from those decisions in California, Colorado, and Seattle? California legalized marijuana and has attempted to adopt a sanctuary state policy for illegal immigrants. California’s high taxes on the middle class and wealthy caused many to flee the state.
Approximately 40 percent of families living in California do not speak English in the home. Increased homeless have created an epidemic of communities in most parks, sidewalks, and beneath highways, creating mountains of open garbage and human waste piles. California “lawmakers” have reviewed the homeless epidemic and believe that a guaranteed annual wage given to every homeless or poor person will address the “existing problem!”
Colorado Democrats used the same “rationale” and leadership of our governor. Gov. Murphy believes that legalizing marijuana will create approximately $300 million in tax revenue; way to prioritize the overspending of the approved budget, spend and continue borrowing while overspending, but ignore the state pension fund’s $202 billion-plus shortfall.
Presently, New Jersey is spending millions of dollars more than the tax revenues. What the Democrat leaders in Colorado dismiss is the decline of academic achievements, increased cartel(s)/gang activities for bootleg pot, increased crime and DUIs, increased homeless demands, approximately 50 percent of children born have THC in their bloodstream, most must be kept for drug/medical detox, increased welfare, and housing assistance, with noticeable decline of employee attendance in the private sector.
I have to challenge New Jersey “political wizards” who believe that when they legalize pot for the “$300 million in taxes,” it will actually decrease our drug problem. For decades, the drug problem in the U.S. was based on the fact that for most addicts, marijuana was the gateway, but then became a companion to hard drugs.
Presently, 1 percent of New Jersey wealthy pays 42 percent of all New Jersey taxes. In the last several years, New Jersey tax policies resulted in $32 billion of wealth and jobs leaving the state.
Democrats reference the trickle-down theory. If the wealth continues to evaporate, who do they think is going to pay those higher taxes and create/maintain jobs? Those same political, mental giants watched several Atlantic City casinos close. Their remedy suggested they open new casinos in North Jersey.
The suggestion that marijuana will provide $300 million in taxes should be thoughtfully considered. In addition to increased police, EMS [emergency medical services], social services, crime, and homeless costs, peruse Colorado and Seattle’s approaching chaos regarding drug abuse and the homeless. Carefully consider the merits and potential real costs for you and your children.