Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes III (D-Middlesex) had the following published in The South Jersey Times and The Times of Trenton :
“For the past several weeks, one thought keeps coming into my head. The ancient Chinese curse, ‘May you live in interesting times.’ In New Jersey, this is especially true.
“We just survived one of the longest and most expensive presidential campaigns in the history of our nation. The discussions about the impending fiscal cliff have the entire country on pins and needles. We here in New Jersey are desperately trying to rebuild our shattered lives after Hurricane Sandy. All this is happening during what is supposed to be the season of joy and laughter…”