Christie spars with retired police officer over N.J. pensions on radio show

[GBCW 397]

This is why I'm a Chris Christie fan! This, right here!

October 16, 2014

TRENTON — It was the most heated segment of Gov. Chris Christie's monthly radio show Wednesday night.

For nearly four minutes, the Republican governor sparred with a retired police officer over one of the most controversial issues facing his administration: New Jersey's ailing public-worker pension system.

The caller — who identified himself as "Bob" — accused Christie of cutting pension benefits and criticized the governor's administration for "hurting the working man."

The man said he retired from police work at age 58 and that he is receiving a pension and free health care benefits for life. He did not specify what his job was or where he worked.

"Have your medical benefits been impacted at all?" Christie asked him.

"No, sir," the caller responded, "but ..."

"Answer my questions now," Christie said, cutting him off. "I answered yours. Has your pension been cut at all?"

"No, sir," the caller said.

"You're a guy that retired at 58 years old, with a full pension and free medical benefits for life, and you're coming on the air to complain," Christie said. "Those benefits are being paid for by the taxpayers of New Jersey. That pension is being paid for by the taxpayers of New Jersey. And you have the gall, the audacity to complain about me doing something that I didn't do. I haven't touched your pension, I haven't touched your benefits."

The governor then accused the caller of spewing "union talking points, trying to make people in this audience believe that somehow I've hurt you and people in your line of work."

"You know what I want from you and people in your line of work?" Christie asked. "Pay a fair share for what you're getting. ... Even to this day, (public workers) pay significantly less as an active worker for your health care than people in the private sector do and get significantly better benefits."

[Jacque67 7,328]

Disappointed in you, shadow!

[Teddy B 17,251]

This is why I'm a Chris Christie fan! This, right here!

Cause he paid some rube to call a radio show so he could talk a tough game on the phone?

[GBCW 397]

He said it to every public sector leech who listens to and reads these media reports. It's drama, but it's necessary drama.

[Pooky 3,347]

Cause he paid some rube to call a radio show so he could talk a tough game on the phone?

He doesn't need to.

The unions, especially the teachers, despise the man and keep trying to stage public showdowns, in an effort to embarrass the man. One day, they might find someone who stands a chance of staying with him in an argument.