Apparently, this is where my opponent standsat least on those issues he feels strongly

enough to speak about.

POINT BY POINT Straight from his own web-site

I dont see PENSION REFORM
I dont see BOND REFORM
I dont see Pay-to-Play Addressed
I see Nothing about the ERA
Nothing about Citizens United v FEC
No position on Article the First
NO position on specifically mandating Social Security and SSD and VA benefits as line items in the
Federal budgetjust generalizationsI will protect Hell, I hope so.
IN short, I see lots of platitudes, but no solutions.
IN HIS OWN WORDS Tom MacArthur, from his web-sitehis words in italics - mine,
not.
The Economy & Jobs
Tom is a self-made businessman who came from middle-class roots. His nearly thirty years in
the private sector began with an entry-level job, and culminated with growing a local NJ
company into a national business. Throughout his career he helped to create and preserve
thousands of American jobs.
Tom you say you created Thousands of Jobs. Created Jobs is not the same as Acquired
Employees. Somebody who creates a business out of whole cloth is a self-made
businessman. Someone who purchases an existing business, while still an entrepreneur, is not
self-made.
Tom will use that real world experience to get our economy growing again. He will promote
free market policies that foster the creation of good-paying, American jobs, and empower
entrepreneurs and business leaders by eliminating burdensome regulations and bureaucratic red
tape that stifle job creation.
Burdensome Regulations like the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Pinelands Comprehensive
Management Plan, and other environmental regulations? No Brownfields in Randolph, so let
them eat cake, is that it?
So, Tomwhat jobs are you referring to?
Federal Spending and Debt
As a Mayor and Councilman, Tom reduced the size of government and balanced budgets every
year, unlike Steve Lonegan, who as Mayor repeatedly relied on bailouts from Trenton. Thanks
to Toms leadership, his town was 1 of only 18 in NJ, and 213 in the entire nation, to earn a AAA
bond rating for exceptional fiscal management. In Congress, Tom will fight for a balanced
budget and make government live within its means.
Were you elected Mayor, or appointed by your fellow councilpersons?
Oh, appointed?anything to do with your checkbook funding the campaigns?
Thats a bit of a fib on Lonegan, by the way. He applied for funds his community was
ELIGIBLE FOR, (not entitled to), based on an economy he does not control, and anyone
holding that office would have been remiss in their duties to have done otherwise.
Did you mention the ratable in your town, or that Randolph doesnt pay its fair share in the
school district? If taxes were raised so that Randolph paid an equal per-student share in the
school budget, there goes the property tax lie. You have exceptionally managed to avoid paying
your duejust like youve done for the insurance companies you contract with. That may be
good business, but it is far from responsible or ethical. Wonder what the folks in the
neighboring towns will think? I think Ill tell them.
I wonder what their responses would be? Maybe thats why youre not running for Congress to
represent Randolph. Your neighbors already know what a charlatan you are.
Social Security and Medicare
Tom will protect Social Security and Medicare for senior citizens and those nearing retirement,
and he will strengthen them for future generations. Tom believes that our seniors earned these
benefits through hard work, and we must keep the promises made to them. For that reason, Tom
strongly disagrees with Steve Lonegans radical plan to do away with these important programs
that so many retirees depend on to make ends meet.
More platitudes, and another lie about your opponent.
Everyone says they will protect Social Security and Medicarebut Tom goes a step further, and
wants to repeal Affordable Care. Well, that should play well in CD3, as we have many seniors
who vote, and many poor people who dont. At least, thats always how it has been before.
I called for the aperture to access to Medicare to be widened, rather than create another
bureaucracy. I failed in that effort, in the past, but I stand by that as the right decision. We will
likely need to merge Medicare and ACA as a cost-savings eventually why wait until the
monolithic new bureaucracy grows too big to fail?
Modifying the existing system, and streamlining payouts to the physicians (which means shorter
waits to see a specialist I will explain in another thread), as well as allowing VA patients to see
their own physicians (Right now, for the entire State, there are only 510 VA registered
providersthats it), will make for faster service, and more comprehensive coverage through the
cost savings and consolidation of both record-keeping and expenses.

Taxes
As a Mayor and Councilman, Tom kept taxes among the lowest per person in the region. His
opponent, Steve Lonegan, increased taxes nine times as Mayor of Bogota. In Congress, Tom will
push for comprehensive tax reform that makes our federal tax code flatter and simpler, while
lowering rates to encourage economic growth. Tom will fight for tax reform that keeps jobs and
capital here in America, instead of forcing it overseas.
Is Randolph paying their fair share? Lets look at the portion of the taxes that relates to the
School district
Obamacare
Tom will fight to repeal Obamacare and replace it with free market solutions that move away
from a one-size-fits-all, government-controlled approach.
You mean like Medicare or the VA? What would you do with the millions who are now on the
books with ACA whether they frankly wanted to be or not? Let them eat cake?
He will promote policies that reduce costs, that allow people to keep their doctors, and that
provide superior care for patients.
Reduce costs for whom? The secondary insurers? Surely not the insured, as your track record
clearly demonstrates.
Spend less, get more! - Sure, Tom we believe you. (eye-roll)
Furthermore, Tom will fight for real tort reform, while helping to provide a safety net for those
who cant obtain coverage from any other source.
Tort reform to YOU is limiting a patients right to sue an insurance company. We already have
plenty of evidence of what you consider Tort Reform your list of backers is sufficient. Bought
and paid for.
Tom recognizes that healthcare insurance reform is complex and he will draw on his nearly 30
years in the insurance industry and will work with other experts to create free-market
alternatives and solutions.
You have thirty years running an insurance ADJUSTING company and mitigating loss to your
employers by limiting pay-outs on valid claims. That has nothing to do with policy design or
service. You have no plan.
I do.
National Security and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Tom supports a return to Ronald Reagans foreign policy approach of peace through strength,
and opposes deep cuts to military spending favored by both President Obama and Steve
Lonegan.
When youre floundering, invoke REAGAN. Please.
Lonegans attack on our military as massive and bloated is out-of-touch for someone who
wants to represent Burlington and Ocean Counties.
Your opponent favored gutting the pork out of spending bills. He and I agree on very little, but
we agree on that. I favor GROWING our defensive capability, but we dont need to add ONE
LINE of pork to any defense appropriations which brings us to the Change the Rules pledge,
Tom. Will you sign it? If you do, can we trust that you mean it?
Tom MacArthur recognizes that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) is critical to our
national security, while supporting more than 40,000 jobs and pumping $7 billion into the
regional economy. As Congressman, Tom will fight to ensure JBMDL never falls victim to a
future BRAC.
Of course, anyone here wants the Joint Base to stay. I would further see expansion, specifically
in the Naval portion, for addressing our future energy needs.
Big words Tom MacArthur will stand between JBMDL and BRAC
You know who ACTUALLY DID? Senate Candidate Eugene Martin LaVergne, who, at Senator
Frank Lautenbergs request, argued 3x before SCOTUS to keep the base here when VP Biden
wanted the operational element of the USAF to be moved and consolidated with DOVER.
I might know that guy.
Talk is cheap, Tom. Where were you during the first round of BRAC? Oh, thats right
robbing the widows and orphans of fallen firefighters of their insurance payouts and making a
fortune on Wall Street, standing between insurers and insured as a hired gun. The only thing
you have in common with Ronald Reagan is that he spent the Soviets out of businessyou
force the insured with valid claims to go away after they run out of money fighting you.
Honoring Our Veterans
Tom will fight to ensure that the more than 65,000 veterans and their families who call the Third
Congressional District home are treated with respect and have their service and sacrifice to our
nation honored. Tom will advocate for a permanent cost-of-living increase for disabled veterans
and ensure a strong support system for veterans of all ages, including a focus on issues like
PTSD treatment, suicide prevention and improved medical care through the Veterans
Administration.
Ill give you <other peoples> money! (Cost-of-living increase). Tom, Im glad youre for
improved care who isnt? That doesnt make you unique. What are you actually doing about
it, though?
510 doctors in the State versus 65,000 veterans and their families in the district. Sounds like MY
proposal to let them see their own doctors with VA paying the physicians directly makes more
and more sense and paying all through one clearinghouse ACA, Medicare, and VA makes
not only a huge cost-savings, but a more accurately tracked system. No one falls through the
cracks.
We propose a streamlining of all three major government health care offerings with the
corresponding cost savings associated with removing duplicate positions. Hard on the jobs
numbers, but good business. The good news is, there will be a need for more organizational
positions around the Nation, so the net jobs loss will be slight compared to the economy of scale
such a merger would bring again, with construction of this merger done under the Change the
Rules pledgepork free.
Sandy Recovery
As an Ocean County homeowner, Tom knows firsthand how shore area homes, businesses and
infrastructure were devastated by Hurricane Sandy, and how good people had their lives turned
upside down. Tom and his wife Debbie helped dozens of displaced families through their family
foundation. Tom sided with Governor Christie and fully supported federal aid for Sandy
victims.
Great maybe YOU can tell us where the funds REALLY went.
Steve Lonegan, on the other hand, shamefully opposed helping local families and businesses
rebuild after Sandy. Tom knows that New Jersey taxpayers send enough money to Washington,
and we deserve our fair share in a time of need like a natural disaster.
Well and good, Tom. What are you doing about the Sandy funds diverted from Shore Recovery,
or the misuse of funds for personal gain in projects unrelated to Sandy Damage?
Ocean Countys tourism industry, which is responsible for upwards of $4 billion and 70,000 jobs
in Ocean County, needs a Congressman who will work with officials on the local, county, state
and federal levels to ensure that the recovery and rebuilding from Sandy is expedited, and that
shore communities become even stronger than they were before.
You are a keen observer of the obvious, Tom. Stating this here doesnt give you a monopoly on
the issue it just shows youre at least as aware as those of us who actually live in the district.
Another voice in the choir.
Biggert-Waters Act Flood Insurance Legislation
Tom supports a delay in implementing the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, which
would cripple already fragile coastal economies by dramatically increasing flood insurance
premiums. In Congress Tom will work with others and use his nearly thirty years of insurance
experience to find a better and more permanent solution.
Your 30 years experience has nothing to do with Flood Insurance, unless its about how not to
pay out on claims, apparently. Loved your position on Tort Reform, btw reducing the risk to
insurers of unnecessary expenseswhich, in the double-speak youre so fond of, means valid
claims.
It would seem you dont have thirty years of experience in insurance so much as one year of
experience, thirty times.
Barnegat Bay & The Pinelands
Tom will work with the Freeholder Boards in Burlington and Ocean Counties, as well as other
local, state and federal officials, private organizations and citizen groups across the district to
help safeguard the future of Barnegat Bay and the Pinelands. Tom understands that protecting
these natural treasures and ensuring a proper balance between preservation and development is
vital to the region.
That balance was set in the Pine Barrens by the Comprehensive Management Plan, a thoughtful
work that has been the backbone of planning for the region for over 35 years.
Are you FOR or Against the use of the MEMORANDA OF AGREEMENT to give private
companies exemptions reserved for the State as far as environmental regulations are concerned?
Are you really ready to protect the natural resources of this district, or are you with the pillagers?
Specifically, where do you stand on:
1.) WalMart in Toms River

2.) The Pipeline in CD2

3.) Development in Pemberton (that has been shut out by the CMP repeatedly, and is now
on the table again, thanks to a Christie appointee (Roohr, the Hanover Chicken Farmer)
who will financially benefit if it is passed, and who will pass the Pipeline MOA as a quid
pro quo?)
Do you know what an MOA even is? I doubt it and you certainly have no idea that agreeing
to such pulls the teeth from any environmental regulation affecting the Pinelands or the Bay.
Do yourself a favor dont ask your counsel they dont seem to know much, either.
Glad to know you can work with others. What others is what worries me.
Commercial & Recreational Fishing
Estimates show that the NJ commercial fishing industry is worth an estimated $1 billion
annually, while recreational fishing generates $644 million a year. Thats why Tom supports
reforming the Magnuson Act in order to sustain the long-term future of both salt and freshwater
fisheries, increase flexibility and multi-species management, and move towards science-based
regulation that protects the future of the fishing industry and is fair to both commercial and
recreational fishermen today. Tom will work with all those involved in the industry to find
commonsense, reasonable solutions.
What will you do to reform the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries act? Jon Runyan made one small
change, but that was to benefit specific groups, not the fishery. I will give you credit, though
you spelled Magnuson correctly.
Meanwhile, I am actively involved in the fishing community, and am well-versed in the
conservation issues facing Fresh- and Salt-water fish stocks, and involved with the organizations
that help manage those fisheries, and who work to preserve access (such as the New Jersey
Beach Buggy Association.)
Immigration
Tom believes that any attempt to address immigration must begin with strong and secure borders
and that any illegal immigrant who has committed a crime must be immediately returned to their
country of origin.
Arriving here illegally is a crime, Tom. Thats what illegal means. Does that mean youre for
deporting children brought here for a better life who had no control of their arrival?
Tom opposes blanket amnesty and in-state tuition for those here illegally.
Big of you.
He believes that illegal immigrants in this country today should be required to pay back taxes,
learn English and get in line behind those who have observed the law as part of any tough, but
fair path to citizenship.
Strong words. Do you have a written policy, or was this just lifted from another Republican
Candidates web-site?
Tom, many people in New Jersey are three or fewer generations off the boat. Thats a much
higher percentage than in Ct., where you grew up. The diversity of our immigrant ancestors is
what built this country.
We have a proposal we believe is workablewere open to input and suggestions on it.
Wheres your written policy?
Second Amendment
Tom is a long-standing supporter of the Second Amendment and will defend the constitutional
right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families, to hunt, to collect, and to
shoot competitively or recreationally as Tom and his daughter enjoy doing.
So do I, but, then, I support the wholeConstitution, Tom. Where do you stand on the ratified
Apportionment Amendment, Article the First?
Promoting a Culture of Life
For Tom, being pro-life is about more than just arguing politics. When they were a young
couple in 1984, Tom and his wife Debbie found out in the 4
th
month of pregnancy that their first
child would be born with special needs and might not survive. Their doctors suggested they end
the pregnancy. Instead, Tom and Debbie changed doctors and chose life, raising their daughter
Grace for 11 years before she passed away. They also adopted two children as infants David
now 23 and Isabella, now 16.
Tom while I am sincerely sorry for your loss, I find it unconscionable that you use her death as
a bumper sticker for your campaign, and falsely. ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED
WHEELCHAIRS DONATED? I call Bullshit. Thats one wheelchair for every mile marker
and TENTH of a mile marker along the length of Parkway South from NY to the Ferry at Cape
May.
Charity, made public, is advertising.
Tom supports parental notification for minors and a ban on late-term abortions, and he opposes
using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion. He also understands that good people can and will
disagree on this issue, and will work with people of differing viewpoints to promote a culture
that respects life.
Can I get some syrup with those waffles?
My position is clearSafe, Legal, and Rare. I dont presume to impose my own values on
others. I would support choosing life, were it a family member within my household who was
making such a choice, but I respect the fact that our LAW says that others may choose
differently.
Marriage
While all people should be treated equally under the law, Tom believes marriage is between one
man and one woman. Moreover, Tom believes that decisions on how to govern marriage belong
with individual states and their voters, not activist courts or the federal government.
So, youre against Gay Marriage? If only all those heterosexual bigots would stop having gay
kids
Tom, its a little past the time for recognition that our laws are not treating same-sex couples
equally. Im glad you believe its a States rights thing as SCOTUS already said so.
Remove the beam from your own eye, Tom. God created gay people, too.
Israel and the Middle East
Tom understands that Israel is Americas most stable and reliable ally in the Middle East. He
values our shared commitment with Israel to the democratic ideals of religious, individual and
economic freedom. Tom believes that Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel and he supports
Israels right to defend itself against terrorism and aggression by its neighbors and terrorist
organizations. Tom believes that we must continue to provide both economic and military aid to
Israel, and work in concert with Israel and other allies to prevent dangerous actors in the region
from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Israel is a sovereign Nation. Your opinion and mine are not very different, but certainly
irrelevant as to the policies they set for themselves.
While were at it One China, or Two? Who owns the Spratly Islands?
Energy Independence
Tom is concerned about our reliance on potentially hostile nations for our energy needs and will
fight for energy independence, which he believes is both possible and necessary. Tom supports
projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline and expanded domestic drilling to ensure long-term
energy independence for America projects that will also create thousands of new jobs.
Note to self: Explain to Tom that the Keystone pipeline ships oil OUT of the USand that it
could be refined on-site and shipped by Teamsters. Keystone creates Thousands of new
Temporary Jobs and its actually hundreds, not thousands. A refinery creates permanent
jobs. How many people who worked on the Alaskan pipeline are still employed on the
pipeline? Hes cashing Big Oil checks, so he has to deliver Big Oil messages.
As Burlington County just lost hundreds of Trucking Jobs, maybe my idea is a better one.
Tom also strongly supports efforts towards a responsible transition plan to replace the Oyster
Creek Nuclear Generating Station in Lacey Township with another power generation
plant. Tom recognizes that the current plant provides significant property tax relief to local
home and business owners, 700 jobs to local residents and 600,000 homes with power.
Power slack to the grid is taken up by other generating stations, but taking Oyster Creek off-line
permanently is not necessary. The cooling system could be replaced with a far more efficient
and less costly design than the one proposed, but the cost evaluations have been inflated to give
impetus to a new plant more money for the engineers and bond attorneys, and higher energy
costs for you, as the builder has to recover their investment. The cooling tower fix is the greatest
joke of all, with estimates now passing 1Billion for a concrete tube. Bollocks.
The push to take Oyster Creek out has far more to do with turning the property over to the State,
rather than cleaning up the private nightmare that exists on-site through actions taken before
necessary regulations were in place. Would you like to know where the Ford Trucks are buried
that were too hot to take off the property? Theyre easy to find all you need is access and a
Geiger-Muller counter.
Environment Cap and Trade
Tom opposes cap-and-trade laws that would essentially impose a national energy tax on middle-
class families, seniors and businesses. A boater and outdoorsman, Tom supports a clean and
safe environment for current and future generations to enjoy.
For starters, glad to know youre all in for big business. No surprise, there. For those who dont
know what Cap-and-Trade means, heres a generic explanation.
Cap and Trade allows private companies to purchase emissions credits from less polluting
companies to allow them to continue to exceed required legal limits on carbon emissions.
This trade off does nothing for the environment from a net effect simply removes actual
responsibility for improved performance by polluters.
I n simpler terms, you can pollute more if your neighbor pollutes less.
It also creates a fictional product, which can be sold or traded with commissions.
How, exactly, is that an energy tax? Short answer? Its not but it does let Tom publish some
nice buzz-words and catch-phrases about the environment.
Informed voters will see through this.
Those with less passion may easily be fooled.
Dont be fooled.
Tom, one more thing. Playing outside doesnt make you an outdoorsman, and calling yourself
an environmentalist doesnt make you one, any more than going beep-beep makes you a car.
Taking action, Tom. That makes you an environmentalist.
Government Abuse and Overreach
Tom is appalled by the Obama Administrations selective targeting of conservative groups
through the IRS, and believes the role of the NSA should be protecting our homeland and citizens
from terrorists and criminals, not spying on American citizens who have no role whatsoever in
illegal activities.
Tom theyre not only spying on Conservative Groupsstop crying victim. Solve the problem.
When your house is on fire, having a neighbor at the corner yelling Fire and pointing at your
house is minimally helpful. Another neighbor arriving in a fire truck is MORE helpful.
Stop pointing and do something.
We are.
By the way who runs the show right now? Oh, thats rightthe Republicans and the
Democrats. Voters - Probably a good idea to take the ball away from them for now.
Education Reform
Tom believes education is the key to success for future generations, and will fight to ensure every
child has the opportunity to receive the education they need to compete in a quickly-changing
world.
I can almost hear Whitney Houston singing I believewe all know how that turned out.
Tom supports tenure reform, rewarding highly effective teachers and demanding accountability
on how tax dollars are spent. Tom also supports the development of Charter Schools, especially
in failing school districts, which create competition and give every child and their parents the
ability to seek better educational opportunities.
Here, it is very clear that Tom has no idea of the ground-truth reality of our schools in New
Jersey. Lets start with the big oneCharter Schools. While Charter Schools have their place,
they have NO place in the Budget of the School District. Self-funding Charter Schools should be
required to take all comers, not just create islands of non-diversity in our communities.
Certain groups, largely funded by PACS supporting certain candidates, push for Charters as the
answerthe answer to what? The real answer? Keys to the safe in the School Board
officesthats what.
Use the City of Camden as a model for the rape and pillage of the Public Schools, despite an
active and engaged parental community, and youll understand whats really wrong with
education in New Jersey and it aint the kids, and it aint the teachers.
Our organization is fighting the efforts to funnel public dollars away from public schools, not
because Charter Schools cant work, but because the public schools should not be sacrificed for
private education. By skimming off the top-performing students, these Charters then claim
better overall performance, as measured by standardized testing testing run by companies
associated financially with the Charter Schools and their political supporters.
Tom demands accountabilitywho doesnt? Tom served as mayor of a town and did nothing
about the pay-to-play vig of 10% on all bonds issued during his tenure of service on council and
in the mayoral office. He thinks thats okaybusiness as usual and why wouldnt he?
Those firms all donate heavily to the Republican Leadership. Tom does what hes told.
Tenure reform? Sure, Tom its the UNIONs fault. Dont blame the pillaging of the schools
dollars on the administrators. The teachers they have the checkbook right? Um, NO.
Education begins in the home before the school and child are even introduced. It is at these
early stages in development that habits are formed, and a love of learning cultivated.
Heroin and Drug Addiction
Tom recognizes the growing problem of prescription drug abuse, and the resulting scourge of
heroin addiction. Tom believes in treatment instead of prison for non-violent offenders, and for
harsh penalties for drug dealers.
Resulting Scourge? These are two completely different issues. Wake up, Tom. Maybe ask a
cop. They will tell you. Prescription Drugs arent a necessary gateway to heroin use. Theyre a
problem unto themselves.
We propose:
Mandatory sentencing with no plea bargains for convictions of those who are caught in the
act of distributing to minors, with specific additional penalties for HEROIN, Cocaine
Derivatives, Methamphetamine, and Prescription Drugs.
Three-time-loser law.
Tom will help local law-enforcement officials, parents, schools and addiction centers combat the
alarming and growing heroin epidemic in South Jersey and along the shore. Tom stands ready
to ensure local officials leading this fight are given the federal resources they need to make a
positive difference and protect our citizens.
How, exactly, are you going to do this? Tom A goal without a plan is a wish.
At least you admit theres a problem. Our Democrat opponent doesnt see it or gang issues,
either.
Your solution?
Oh, I see pour Federal dollars on the problem. Certainly enough will trickle down to the
community to actually make a differencejust like the Sandy money.
Of course, with all that Government Abuse and Overreach
Do you have anything remotely resembling a coherent message, or is this just a bunch of
refrigerator magnet talking points.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There you have it, voters.
Dont trade your cow for three magic beans.
Tom MacArthur Just say NO


Frederick John LaVergne, Democratic-Republican for Congress, NJ CD3, 2014

Im through with THIS guy Joe Pesci as Vinnie Gambini in My Cousin Vinnie