Christie Shoots Craps On Leadership

A rare event had taken place last year in the State House in Trenton. Republicans and Democrats agreed on a piece of legislation. The bill would have legalized online gambling for New Jersey residents. It's an idea that would have meant $55 million a year for the state via the wager tax that gamblers would have been charged.

This week Chris Christie vetoed the bill for what he called "legal and constitutional concerns." Christie said he wants to wait for a bill to pass in Washington which would also permit all of those offshore online gambling operations to set up shop in America. He also said he was against setting a new state referendum before the oversight of the Casino Control Commission could be amended.

They say that timing is everything. Some observers are wondering why all of a sudden Christie proclaimed these concerns rather than while the bill was making its way through the State House. Others wonder if this is a defensive move by Christie to protect his latest pet project...the state running of Atlantic City. Did the bill lack a strong enough benefit for Atlantic City casinos that displeased Christie?

Those who take a quick look at the layout of this idea might be compelled to ask how a state can launch a law that the federal government hasn't launched first. Well, should all the states who wanted casino gambling have waited until a bill passed Congress and was signed into law? Should the federal government be the first voice when a state wants to change the laws for drivers in the state? The federal government was not designed by our Founding Fathers to be the lead horse for everything. If a specific state sees a need that they possess the best ability to act upon, why wait for a federal blessing that the Constitution doesn't open the door to require?

As Christie demands that New Jersey takes a seat in the back row states including California, Florida, Iowa and Missouri are poised to pass legislation to legalize online gambling.

So just like his position on having New Jersey join the now growing successful lawsuit to block Obamacare in the states, once again with Christie it's delay, excuse and allow the federal government to step on a state's right.