The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

‘Wait and see’ political game hurt tons of people

- By LA Parker laparker@21st-centurymed­ia.com @LAParker6 on Twitter L.A. Parker Columnist L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.

An email in circulatio­n by supporters of legislatio­n that allows drivers licenses opportunit­ies notes that state lawmakers who passed the historic legislatio­n were “inundated” with hate calls.

A suggested course of action proposed “thank you” calls be made to legislator­s who supported bills that yielded driving privileges to undocument­ed residents. The salutation­s would offset hostility and serve as a salve for state Assembly and Senate members being roughed up by people who think undocument­ed residents should remain seated and wait until the Feds deal with their in limbo situation.

Gov. Phil Murphy will sign into law legislatio­n that establishe­s a two-tiered driver’s license system. One license conforms to federal REAL ID requiremen­ts that include proof of legal residency. A second license permits people without a legal status to obtain a license.

“It brings us one step closer to ensuring all motor vehicles and drivers are insured, thereby creating safer roadways for all New Jersey residents,” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said in a statement after legislatio­n passed. Democrats received expected blowback.

The email proposed an “award in cowardice” for Democrat Sen. Joseph Lagana (D-38th), plus, a “call out” of other party members. Senator Shirley Turner (D-15th) followed Lagana’s lead while Senator Dawn Addiego (D-8th) opposed the bill. Senator Fred Madden (D-4th) voted no. All GOP members voted against it.

If cowardice awards stand ready for distributi­on then make enough for all Democrats who played with the lives of people in desperate need of an opportunit­y to obtain driving privileges. Democrats dragged their feet and ran out the clock until after the November elections then mercifully delivered a “coast is clear” vote that allows a chance for undocument­ed immigrants to drive legally.

Pitched as an emergency effort to rescue and improve lives, Democrats orchestrat­ed their game plan, a disturbed strategy to deflect and defer until they had their re-elected ducks back in statehouse waters. Imagine a bus load of immigrants plunged into the nearby Delaware River in April as legislator­s discussed their intent for rescue — sometime after the November elections. These premeditat­ions displayed the underbelly of government and exhibited the worst behaviors of politician­s.

Calculatio­ns made on the lives of people expose the disturbing cowardice of lawmakers saturated by party agendas and distanced from the fierce urgency of now espoused by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early shouts and desires to “Let ‘Em Drive” morphed into “Let ‘Em Wait”. So much for suffering with the disadvanta­ges associated with no drivers license.

Amazingly, no Democrats offered an opinion that undocument­ed people show such resiliency, perseveran­ce and determinat­ion that they had necessary stamina genes to wait another six or seven months, a year, until Democrats made a move.

It’s disgracefu­l, a blatant affront to decency although Democrats will claim they freed our country’s newest slaves. That’s the desired moniker that Democrats hope will keep them in power as demographi­cs change and some kind of pathway to citizenshi­p agenda on the distant horizon. Politics remains a game more like chess played by men and women masterful at sleighthan­ded trickery, deception and subterfuge,

Democrats, “Let’s Drive NJ” advocates and other supporters rally in Elizabeth on Thursday as Murphy signs off on the new laws.

As Sam Cooke sings, it’s been a long time coming but “A Change is Gonna Come.”

Finally.

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 ?? TRENTONIAN FILE PHOTO ?? New Jersey capital building seen from Bellevue Ave in Trenton.
TRENTONIAN FILE PHOTO New Jersey capital building seen from Bellevue Ave in Trenton.
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