"If we make the tough decisions now, we will be one year ahead of 80 percent of the states in the race to economic growth. If we fail to act, we will fall even further behind... by going first, we can become first"

In this quote, Chris Christie highlights the value of proactive decision-making to spur economic development. The phrase "If we make the hard decisions now" suggests that immediate and possibly hard policy actions are required to attend to existing economic challenges. These might consist of reforms in tax, federal government costs, infrastructure investment, or regulative modifications focused on promoting a conducive environment for financial development.

By asserting that acting now will position "us one year ahead of 80 percent of the states", Christie indicates that numerous states are reluctant or slow to carry out similar reforms. This highlights a competitive advantage that features early adoption of required modifications. It reflects the notion that economic improvement often needs strong, forward-thinking techniques that might be initially undesirable but useful in the long run.

The warning, "if we fail to act, we will fall even further behind", emphasizes the dangers of inaction or delay. It suggests that failing to make decisive choices might result in a loss of competitiveness and economic standing relative to other states. The idea of falling "further behind" implies that there might currently be existing deficits in economic policies that require dealing with to avoid intensifying the circumstance.

Finally, the phrase "by going initially, we can become first" captures the essence of leadership and innovation. It posits that by leading the charge and implementing reforms before others, a state can place itself as a leader, potentially gaining early benefits and setting a requirement that others may follow. This declaration encapsulates the belief that leadership in financial reform can yield opportunities and put a state at the leading edge of economic success.

In general, Christie's quote calls for instant, decisive action to achieve long-lasting financial advantages, using the metaphor of a race to illustrate competitors and the prospective rewards of taking effort.