More Plastic Guns?
A recent letter, critical of allowing plans for a “plastic gun” on the Internet, is wrong on many levels. Access to plans is not the same as making a plastic gun. Banning these is prior censorship and violates the First Amendment. It is wrong to say you can’t libel or slander anyone since that can only happen after publication.
Producing a gun at home is subject to applicable laws. A plastic 3D printer can’t produce ammunition for a gun. On Tuesday 7-31-18 NBC TV news at 11 pm showed a blue plastic revolver that fired twice then disintegrated on the third shot, a danger to the user.
Some writers can express their opinions even when they know little about the subject. Try searching “Plastic Guns” on the Internet to find information on this subject.
Ronald A. Sobieraj
Greed
On Wednesday August 8, 2018 I attended a City Council Meeting to hear Mr. Alan Silber speak about transparency and good government. He told it like it should be: OPEN GOVERNMENT for the community. Now, I remember our Mayor Wilda saying “We need open government” when she first became Mayor. Mr. Silber exposed many facts about play to pay and wheeling and dealing with those fat cats from campaign contribution. Yes, money talks and everything else walks in politics. But let me come down to the wire. There has been talks from the streets before election day in November 2018 that a certain political party will be exposed and might divide the party. Remember this is just street talk from Washington DC and on down. Greed has become the Devil’s way of life in politics with no end in sight. There’s an old saying ” Money leads to Greed, Greed leads to crime, Crime leads to jail.”
Orlando Wildman Perez
Justice is Blind
I find it ironic that the very people who are entrusted to uphold the tenets of the constitution are the very same ones who stifle them! Try to exercise your first amendment right in a court of law and a judge will either toss you out of “their” (though funded by the taxpayers) courtroom or hold you in contempt and put you in jail! It only goes to show that even appointed dictators are hypocrites!
With all its wheeling and dealing and endless appealing, the judicial system is a farce anyway. If the accused doesn’t’ like a verdict, he or she can appeal; the accuser has no such remedy. Victims and/or their families have to help pay to protect, house, feed, and provide medical care for those who committed crimes, even though the victims themselves may not be able to afford those very same things. In some instances, they help pay for the criminals’ lawyers! It’s true what they say – justice is blind!
And finally, though judges and the rest of those in the judicial system receive periodic raises, jurors still get a measly five dollars – not even enough to buy a decent lunch!
Sincerely,
Michael J. Rusznak
Family Time, Family Leave
By: Annette Quijano
Bonding time between a parent and child is critical in the first year of a baby’s life. New Jersey believes it. We are one of four states offering paid family leave for new parents. Here in the Garden State we understand that stronger families mean stronger communities. Stronger communities mean a stronger state as a whole.
With over 300,000 infants and toddlers in New Jersey, now more than ever, working parents deserve greater support under the law to be able to provide without hesitation or job penalty the needs of their newborn.
Babies Count, a report recently released, by the Advocates for Children of New Jersey, highlights both the steps New Jersey has taken to ensure families can take family leave and the need to go further.
The report highlighted that, unfortunately, not enough parents partake in this program for primarily two reasons: the fear of losing their job and the fact that the weekly benefit doesn’t cover their bills.
Less than 27,000 employees have filed claims for family leave in New Jersey since 2016, a number in stark contrast to the number workers that may be eligible for the program. And, currently, employees of companies with less than 50 employees receive six weeks and a maximum of $633 a week, which is not long enough to cover the vital three months suggested for breastfeeding and an amount that may barely cover the average family’s household expenses.
It is also important to note: Most parents who have participated in the state’s family program are likely to be in the higher income bracket and have a college degree.
We must encourage more families –of all cultural and economic backgrounds– to take part in the benefits of family leave. A child that is well-cared for in the first years of life is a child who has a greater chance of being academically successful and, therefore, helping to ensure them a brighter future.
The current family leave program is a good start. However, we can go a little farther to help parents.
Legislation (A-3975) under consideration in the Assembly– which has cleared the Assembly Labor Committee– would do more for families.
Beyond providing for families whose primary caregivers include siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, parents-in-law, the bill extends family leave benefits to parents with adopted children, foster children or children conceived through surrogacy or similar agreements.
The bill also increases the maximum benefit, the duration of leave time a parent can take and extends the length of time a family can receive benefits. It would also put laws in place to ensure job protection and ward against retaliation. No parent should have to choose between raising their families and keeping their job.
Keeping families first is a priority in New Jersey. A strong family leave program is necessary to helping families at an important time in their lives. Having the option to be at home with your newborn is as priceless as the gift of life itself.
Annette Quijano is a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 20th Legislative District, which encompasses parts of Union County. She is the primary sponsor of A-3975.
