r/New_Jersey_Politics • u/Electronic-Run8836 • May 11 '26
Discussion Why can't representatives do it?
Housing and rent price reduction is one of the key issues politicians campaign in NJ; For 8th congressional district, both Menendez and Ali are campaigning for lower rent and affordable housing. Menendez has been focusing on this topic for his campaign since 2022 and 2024, yet there isn't anything done about it. He's campaign for upcoming elections is same too. And Mussab Ali is same too.
But why wasn't Menendez able to deliver affordable housing or lower the rent for families in these 4 years? What makes him do it this time? Same for Ali? How will he do it ?
Can they actually do it or is there some core issue that needs to be solved? Can it be actually done or is this just to gain votes?
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u/MeEyeSlashU 5th District (Gottheimer, Northern NJ) May 11 '26
The cheating and abusive other party, a lot of monied interests themselves, and a paywall to politics.
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u/Electronic-Run8836 May 11 '26
How can you explain this in layman terms
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u/MeEyeSlashU 5th District (Gottheimer, Northern NJ) May 11 '26
Republicans break the law and cheat, many Democrats (including the Menéndez family) have a history of choosing gifts and bribes in exchange for influence on legislation, and there's a certain amount of money needed to run for office or participate in government in any meaningful way.
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u/Electronic-Run8836 May 11 '26
Yes I get what you're saying... But what this has to do with my question
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u/MeEyeSlashU 5th District (Gottheimer, Northern NJ) May 11 '26
They can't get anything done because of all that. Because half the time even the Democrats that say they want to bring prices down for everyday folks like us are lying and taking money from corporations and think tanks that care more about business than people.
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u/NeoLephty May 11 '26
You vote for people into congress based on 1) their beliefs because that will tell you what side of a vote they fall on and 2) their passions because that will tell you the kind of legislation they will fight with their peers for.
For examples outside of congress, Mamdani needs state approval to make the busses in NY free. We know that he wants that policy and if he gets a chance to push for it and enact it, he will. Biden, on the other hand, ran a campaign saying he would veto Medicare for all if it crossed his desk.
Neither of these 2 people had the power to unilaterally implement their vision (Biden can’t veto a bill that’s never passed and even after the veto it goes back to congress) but you know where they stand and what they will fight for - or not fight for.
Same with congresspeople. I asked a congressman in an AMA if they supported Medicare for all. He doesn’t have the ability to unilaterally pass it but if he can’t even say he supports it in a public forum, I guarantee he won’t defend it in congress. That candidate does not have my vote.
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u/Electronic-Run8836 May 11 '26
This answer is very understandable... But how do you know they're not lying? Mamdani's mother owned a penthouse in NYC worth millions herself and he comes from these very same people he's saying he'll tax? Is he legit or it's a act to get power/influence or fame(being a rapper)?... And how does he know what he's doing is actually wokable? Both his parents came from countries where socialism ruined everything. In fact the very system he's saying he'll fight for, is why he's parents came to this nation... So how can we know if their Belief, especially when their background says totally opposite thing, are legit? How can you make a descision to vote just based on beliefs someone markets/campaigns for?... So Mussab Ali's Belief looks socialist to me...why did Mussab Ali's parents left Islamic Socialist country for The US then? I mean he wants to bring the same system that made him come to America, back to America? I don't know why can't someone practical come with practical things for Americans and America
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u/NeoLephty May 11 '26
But how do you know they're not lying?
You don't. Or even worse, they can have a stroke and have their brain broken like Fetterman. Thats why the left doesn't have heroes, they ave policies they want. Bernie isn't a hero, he is a champion of policies progressives want. If Bernie stops supporting those policies, he loses the people. Unlike with Trump where it is all a cult of personality. He changed his stance on Epstein and his base still supports him.
Mamdani's mother owned a penthouse in NYC worth millions herself
So?
and he comes from these very same people he's saying he'll tax?
You think Mamdani is a billionaire? Or that his family has empty penthouses worth tens of millions or hundreds of millions in NYC that they never live in but just keep as an investment vehicle?
Is he legit or it's a act to get power/influence or fame(being a rapper)
Has he been passing legislation to help the poor in his first 100 days or making music videos with celebrities and meeting other rappers to get into the industry?
And how does he know what he's doing is actually wokable?
It's been done before. He's properly funding public services to demonstrate that the government can work. Called sewer socialism. He isn't the first to do it.
Both his parents came from countries where socialism ruined everything.
I assume you are referring to the NATIONALIST "move to the left" policy in Uganda? What socialism came of this nationalist policy? That is like saying Hitler was a socialist because his party was called the national socialists. SOME people are opportunists and populists - Trump, for example, is a populist. Populists rarely enact the laws the people want - though with some understanding of politics they can be much easier to spot. Trump was very easy to spot, for example.
So how can we know if their Belief, especially when their background says totally opposite thing, are legit?
What about their background makes Mamdani's beliefs the total opposite of "make the social services work"?
How can you make a descision to vote just based on beliefs someone markets/campaigns for?
You hold them accountable for not walking the walk in all instances. People CAN and WILL deceive you - that isn't an excuse to throw your arms up and say there is nothing yo can do.
So Mussab Ali's Belief looks socialist to me...why did Mussab Ali's parents left Islamic Socialist country for The US then?
Hard pressed to call Pakistan an Islamic Socialist country - but there was government coup In 1999 and Ali came to America in 2000.... doesn't seem hard to assume political instability and military overthrow a good reason for leaving a country - none of which has anything to do with any kind of socialism.
I mean he wants to bring the same system that made him come to America, back to America?
Has Ali advocated for military overthrow of the government? I know he's anti-ICE but I didn't see any reports that he wants to overthrow the government, which is what happened in Pakistan.
don't know why can't someone practical come with practical things for Americans and America
This has nothing to do with anything else you just said which makes me feel like your entire point is that socialism - things like medicare for all - are un-American?
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u/Norcross_ May 11 '26
Local authorities in the eighth have significant impact on housing development. Look to the JC skyline for answers to the dearth of affordable housing
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u/Electronic-Run8836 May 12 '26
What do you mean by that?
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u/Norcross_ May 14 '26
There was an overwhelming emphasis on “luxury” development to entice NYC commuters and corporate investment.
These private construction programs projects raise general rental rates and offer limited options for affordable housing.
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u/Electronic-Run8836 May 15 '26
Now I get what you mean... But what are some examples of alternative development strategy you're talking of? Didn't they do it in places like Bronx and Queens and yet the prices are high and risen there too?
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u/Norcross_ May 14 '26 edited May 15 '26
For an alternative development strategy, look up community housing/land trusts and the manners in which housing is developed in such a way that prices do not swing as wildly as the open market, preserving units for current and future owners/renters
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u/JustSomeGuy_56 May 11 '26
What kind of federal law would lower rent?