I think that this clip captures the spirit of the new Conservatism better than anything I've ever seen -- a Conservatism that sees reliance upon government (for anything except safety and perhaps roads) as contemptible parasitism. It is clear to me from his reaction to the woman's question that he has no sense of obligation to those who rely upon his state's government to provide a decent eduction for their children. The fact that he counters her question by insisting that he does not ask her where she sends her children to school implies that everyone in his state has the same choice he has -- that everyone can afford to send their children to private school. (The median household income in New Jersey in 2009 was $68,444 per year. [U.S. Census])
This woman does indeed have the right to ask him where he sends his children to school because he has a profound level of control over the education of her children, while she has only her voice and her vote. Yes, he emphasizes that it is for religious reasons that he sends his children to private school, but that doesn't change the fact that he has that choice -- because he can afford it -- and that his children are not impacted by the budget cuts he is imposing on the questioner's children. Even if Governor Christie either backs off from or apologizes for his reaction, this episode still demonstrates what's in his heart -- contempt for those who need a helping hand from their fellow citizens to educate their children and provide us all with the benefit of a well-educated populace.
