Ethics

It’s None Of Your Business

Earlier this year, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey signed into law deep cuts to public education which were so heavy-handed the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled they were unconstitutional because it would render the state “unable to provide thorough and efficient” education to children.

Last week, Governor Christie appeared on a local public television show to answer questions provided by the public, and one of the (entirely justified) questions struck a nerve.

TEANECK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — “It’s none of your business.”

Those five words from Gov. Chris Christie over his children’s education have New Jersey voters in a tizzy, reports CBS 2’s Marcia Kramer. [...]

A mom named “Gail” started the ball rolling.

“You don’t send your children to public schools. You send them to private schools, so I was wondering why you think it’s fair to be cutting funding to public schools?” the woman asked.

It was a question Christie has gotten before, but this time it seemed to have gotten under his skin.

“Hey Gail, you know what, first of all it’s none of your business. I don’t ask you where you send your kids to school. Don’t bother me where I send mine,” the governor responded.

Someone needs to change their diaper!

It doesn't matter where "Gail" sends her children to school. She's not the governor. She did not preside over the signing of deep cuts to public education which were so harsh they ended up being ruled unconstitutional.

That would not be the last time Governor Christie would be faced with the question though, as he was asked to explain himself Friday morning on the Today Show.

This morning, Today Show host Matt Lauer brought up the incident, asking, “Why isn’t it a fair question?” “Her point is completely ridiculous,” Chrisitie snapped, calling the woman “nonsensical.”

Her point is only "completely ridiculous" if you believe that "shared sacrifice" means those at the top should be protected from any and all hardship felt by those at the bottom.

Her point is only "nonsensical" if you think the notion that rich lawmakers are far too insulated from the heavy-handed spending cuts they sign into law is unfounded.

That too would not be the last time Governor Christie would be given a chance to explain himself and apologize. Here he is again today.

While on Meet the Press today, Christie was asked if this was an appropriate way to respond to a constituent. Christie said that it “damn right" was.

For the record -- Christie does in fact send his kids to private school, and just a few weeks ago he took a state helicopter to go to his son's baseball game.

This man will never be president.