In our opinion: New Jersey as a “unified force”

Chris Christie took his second oath of office as governor of New Jersey last week amid little fanfare and hub-bub.

Maybe it was because, much like his re-election last November, the ceremonial oath and accompanying speech have become matter-of-course. Maybe it was because he is a second-term governor, and not newly-elected to the post. Or maybe it was because he gave the speech during last week’s snowstorm.

Whatever the reason, the oath was given the mandatory press coverage it deserved, and was passed off as another speech in what is expected to be Christie’s two-year-long push for U.S. president come 2016.

For the most part, Christie avoided outright references to his potential political aspirations or the Bridgegate scandal, and even sounded more tepid than his usual brash self.

His overarching theme was unity: A unified New Jersey is better than a disconnected one on the road for economic growth and a better life for all New Jerseyans. But he didn’t miss an opportunity to use the partisan politics of our nation’s capital as a warning sign of what New Jersey should not become…

“We honor the strength of our diversity, because we cannot fall victim to the attitude of Washington, D.C. — the attitude that says ‘I am always right, and you are always wrong;’ the attitude that puts everyone into a box that they are not permitted to leave; the attitude that puts political victories ahead of policy agreements; the belief that ‘compromise’ is a dirty word.

“…We can put the future of our state ahead of the partisans who would rather demonize than compromise. As your governor, I will always be willing to listen, as long as that listening ends in decisive action for the people who are counting on us to do our job.”

Love him, hate him or stand somewhere in the middle, Christie is right, we do need decisive action — on taxes, jobs, health care, safety and education. New Jerseyans need help, and we don’t need it from Republicans or Democrats — we need it from our government, regardless of the political party.