Podcast: Play in new window
Seth Grossman of Liberty and Prosperity discusses a range of local and global issues, from the irony of local business closures to the economic sustainability of the New Jersey public school system.
Local Ironies and Funding Disparities
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The Irish Pub Closure: Grossman expresses surprise and sadness over the Atlantic City Irish Pub being closed on St. Patrick’s Day, noting that its founder, Kathy Burke, organized the city’s first parade in the 1980s.
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Liberty and Prosperity (L&P): The organization meets every Saturday at 9:30 AM at Sal’s Coal Fired Pizza in Somers Point. They operate on a budget of roughly 33,000 per year raised through dues and donations.
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Grant Controversy: Grossman critiques the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) for awarding a 96,453 grant to the Atlantic County Queer Alliance. He argues this is a misuse of government power to “buy votes” while private groups like his own must struggle for funding.
The Mindset of Conflict
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Historical Comparisons: Grossman compares modern radicalization to the Hitler Youth and Japanese Kamikaze pilots of WWII, noting that these groups were motivated by a willingness to die for their cause.
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Jihadist Ideology: He discusses the concept of Yom al-Qiyamah (Day of Judgment), arguing that some extremist groups view dying in Jihad as a shortcut to paradise, which makes them difficult to defeat through traditional military “shock and awe.”
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Local Radicalization: He references a former Atlantic City High School student from Margate who became a leader in the Islamic State, using him as an example of how these ideologies reach American youth.
Economic and Property Concerns
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Public School Debt: Egg Harbor Township schools are $36 million in debt for routine maintenance. Grossman points out that it now costs 25,000 per year to educate one child, making a single classroom of 20 students cost roughly $500,000 annually.
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Unsustainable Taxes: He argues that property taxes cannot keep up with these costs, leading to a “war on children” where towns use zoning laws to favor senior housing over families to avoid school expenses.
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Real Estate Stagnation:
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Bader Field: Has sat empty for 30 years because the city is waiting for the “perfect use.” Grossman advocates for selling it to the highest bidder and letting private enterprise decide its future.
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Wonderland Pier: In Ocean City, Grossman suggests that “stakeholders” who haven’t invested money should not be the ones deciding the property’s fate; instead, the owner taking the financial risk should decide.
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