Chris Christie has consistently failed the citizens of New Jersey as Governor. But he blames anyone but him self for his failures. And sometimes, as in this example, he’s embarrassed by the fix.

About a year ago, responding to the wishes of a vast majority of New Jersey’s citizens, the Legislature passed a law increasing the minimum wage. The measure also provided for future increases tied to the cost of living. Chris Christie vetoed it. Bowing to the Governor’s wishes, Republican Legislators blocked a move to override the veto.

New Jerseyans needed a chance to express their opinion favoring an increase in the minimum wage in a meaningful way. Christie ignored overwhelming numbers in the polls. So, the Legislature put the matter directly to the voters in the only manner available in New Jersey. They placed question on the ballot as a referendum to amend the state’s constitution.

The move was the result of Christie’s arrogant disregard for the opinions of the vast majority of New Jerseyans. Democrats in the Legislature had the option of either ignoring the will of the people, or allowing the public’s voice to be heard by referendum.

With their vote, the people spoke loud and clear. By an enormous margin they approved the constitutional amendment. It even passed in overwhelmingly Republican strongholds like Sussex County.

Christie was repudiated. He was furious. He still is.

Recently he shouted to an audience of business leaders

“It’s an embarrassment that the minimum wage is in our constitution.”

Christie has the gall to blame anyone but himself that it took a constitutional amendment to reverse his arrogant refusal to follow the will and desires of the people who elected him.  This together with other statements made in pursuit of the GOP presidential nomination show that Christie’s arrogance and disregard for the truth are out of control. Unfortunately, his skills as a glib communicator have convinced folks who don’t know better that he is a “straight talker”. That couldn’t be further from the truth.