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Co-founder of GraniteGrok, my concern is around Individual Liberty and Freedom and how the Government is taking that away. As an evangelical Christian and Conservative with small "L" libertarian leanings, my fight is with Progressives forcing a collectivized, secular humanistic future upon us. As a TEA Party activist, citizen journalist, and pundit!, my goal is to use the New Media to advance the radical notions of America's Founders back into our culture.

GrokTV: interview with Bill O’Brien – Questions 7 & 8 (Legislative Abdication, Dependency on Feds)

Yes, more than a few questions already but we aren’t even halfway!  More questions – are legislators actually doing the hard work we elected them to do and are we “selling our State” to the Feds by being too dependent on their money?

  • Question 7: Is it the case that legislators are giving away their authority with passing broad “themes” and not holding them accountable for doing the nitty gritty details?
  • Question 8: With 40% of NH’s “revenue” coming via federal coffers and taking into consideration the current $2B hole (not including Medicaid expansion), what step can be taken, if any, to slow the hemorrhaging?

  

Question 7                                                            Question 8

Previous Questions:

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Bill O’Brien: a good characterization

On the NH Speaker of the House: Bill O’Brien is the clear choice here, and the only real leader and servant of the people among the three, and the only one with our Republican values and Constitution tattooed on his chest. (H/T: Dan)

Data Point – Evangelicals in the mid-term election

According to a post-election survey conducted by Public Opinion Strategies:

  • Conservative Christians made up nearly one out of every three voters
  • They voted eight-to-one for Republican candidates
  • Self-identified conservative Christians made up 32 percent of the electorate; voted 86 percent Republican and only 12 percent Democrat.
  • These voters contributed an astonishing 52.4 percent of all the votes received by Republican candidates.
  • This constituency larger than the African-American vote, Hispanic vote, union vote, and gay vote combined. White Evangelicals, meanwhile, made up 23 percent of the electorate and voted 82 percent Republican and 18 percent Democratic, according to the survey.

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Really, that’s what they think Gene Chandler should do as NH Speaker?

 

of the Constitution?This caught my eye from Steve’s post where a number of Establishment Republicans lined up to support the man with “our Republican values and Constitution tattooed on his chest” that espouses that anyone with an R next to their name makes them SPECTACULAR (You know, the ones that went ALL IN for their handpicked candidates at the top of the ticket earlier this month):

“We have all worked with Gene over the years and know that he will listen carefully to all members of the Republican caucus and will put you first,” the letter said.

Funny, that’s not my take and what happens when our First Principles are ignored – I want the Speaker to put something else first:

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And his first initial act as Speaker of the NH House will be!

Active GOP Speaker of the NH House Leadership at work according to Papa Smurf (John H. Sununu), Kelly Ayotte, Steve Merrill, Charley Bass, Donna Sytek and Doug Scammon (he who colluded with the Dems to become the Speaker in his time): (H/T: Kimberly)  

GrokTV: interview with Bill O’Brien – Questions 5 & 6 (Commissions & Boards, Regional Planning Commissions)

These next two question were in the area of the growing Administrative State – unelected and unaccountable to the voters making decisions that will affect those voters with the force of law without the legislative process.  It has overtaken the Federal Government and Obama is playing that violin much to our detriment – and it is growing here in NH as well:

Question 5:

New Hampshire has a number of unelected commissions who can circumvent elected officials/the voice of the taxpayers. What can/should the legislature do to keep/make them accountable to the people or move their responsibilities to people who are accountable?  Would it be easier to shift/consolidate whatever it is those commissions do, to elected officials who are accountable to voters?

Question 6:

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Court hearing: Gilford School Board vs William Baer (“Bill Baer”)

This court hearing (7am this past Monday at the Laconia Court) is the result of William Baer (“Billy Baer”) being arrested by the Gilford Police at the behest of Gilford School District Kent Hemingway as Mr. Baer was complaining about the sexually explicit book (“Nineteen Minutes” by self-proclaimed Progressive Jodie Picoult (previous posts: here, here, ehere,  here,  here,  here,  here,  here,  here,  here,  here,  here,  and  here).

The judge’s decision of whether or not the misdemeanor charges will be thrown out may take a few days of waiting.

Parts 2 & 3 after the jump

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GrokTV: interview with Bill O’Brien – Q1: High cost of Right To Know for ordinary folks – what can be done?

“Winning is merely a precursor – it is what you do afterwards that is most important”

And the NH Speaker of the House will have most to do regarding what is done.  Last night the GraniteGrok Editorial Board met with NH State Rep. Bill O’Brien, who is running for re-election for the NH Speaker of the House position, to ask him questions.  Lots of questions on a variety of topics and issue.  Not only were we trying to get answers on specific issues, but we wanted to see what the underlying philosophy was that led him to that decision.  To us, if the question is answered correctly (to OUR outlook, at least) is insufficient if it is merely mouthed – the reasoning, the foundation for that answer must match without equivocation (otherwise, we know someone is trying to tell us what THEY think we want to hear).

After the introduction, Grokster Steve had the first question and he chose RSA 91-A, NH’s Right To Know law and the outlandish costs that can be charged by Government simply because a Citizen wants to know what the Government may not wish for them to know:

Original written question:

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GrokTV: interview with Bill O’Brien – Q1A Follow up: High cost of Right To Know for ordinary folks – what can be done?

Following on Steve’s question to Bill O’Brien on the high cost of Right To Know requests, my follow on was concerning the case when government workers decide that they will obfuscate and delay getting that lawfully requested information – can the normal qualified immunity be stripped and they be made personally liable? Q1A:  RTKs by … Read more

GrokTV: interview with Bill O’Brien – Q2 What happens if the Supremes rule against IRS subsidy rule?

The next question was on Obamacare – specifically the pending doom that that the US Supreme Court may deal to the IRS for writing its Obamacare tax subsidy rule directly counter to what the plain text of the Obamacare law states (tax subsidies are only to be given through State Obamacare Exchanges and not Federal ones):

Question 2:

NH Has no state exchange. If the Supreme court strikes down Federal assistance for plans on the Federal exchange, is there a chance we can we legislate our way to a more open market with buffet plans–to get those trapped by the Affordable care acts sloppy language into some truely affordable coverage, (as well as offer relief and alternatives for others whose rates became unaffordable under the affordable care act?).

After the jump, I had yet another followup on the first question concerning Right To Know problems; previous question links as well.

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Notable Quote – Will Rogers

On the danger of what lame duck politicians can do when unconstrained by no accountability: An awful lot of people are confused as to just what is meant by a lame duck Congress. It’s like where some fellows worked for you and their work wasn’t satisfactory and you let’em out, but after you fired ‘em, … Read more

Jeanne Shaheen: neutered by a pail of water?

Jeanne Shaheen Wicked WitchFrom Big Government:

After Senate Democrats met this morning on their future in the minority, Sen. Harry Reid approached his podium flanked by four women Democratic senators – Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).When asked about the emphasis on women on his leadership team, Reid answered that the Senate was now better off with more women.

“It has changed. Women think differently than men and I am so impressed with the women I have in my caucus, that I wanted to reach out to them because they represent what America’s all about,” he said.

Well, in this day and age of Democrat insistence of complete gender equality, isn’t that a sexist remark! 

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GrokTV: interview with Bill O’Brien – Questions 3 & 4 (Obamacare Expanded Medicaid, Energy Costs & Economy)

When you are seated in front of Groksters, there are ALWAYS plenty of questions launched toward you; a couple more here:

  • Q3: How do we transition people from Obamacare’s Expanded Medicaid before it sunsets?
  • Q4: Energy costs are stifling business – what should be done legislatively about the PUC, regulations and the whole entwined system that we have right now which is one of the reasons the costs are so high against some neighboring states which are lower?

  

Question 3                                                              Question 4

Previous Questions:

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Campaign finance – another whack at Mayday PAC and Larry Lessig

Free speech under assault againI had put up a post here about campaign finance that in the grand scheme of things, the amount of money spent on campaigns PALES in comparison to what Americans spend on other stuff.  Jim Rubens piped in on a comment speaking up for such a thing to be applied upon our Free Speech because Fairness – I disagreed.  Anyways,  I caught these quotes concerning Larry Lessig (the Harvard Prof behind the Mayday PAC that spent money for Jim Rubens) from a bit ago (5 days – yes, almost an eternity in blogging time), bookmarked them, and didn’t do anything at the time:

Another reform advocate who has worked with Lessig said “The last thing that the progressive movement needs is another ivory tower egghead trying to play political operative and sucking up valuable donations and resources for his personal vanity project. For the sake of reforming money in politics, I wish Larry Lessig would please stop.” . . .

“Behold the power of super smart people pursuing a boutique policy solution that the average American could not give a damn about if you poked them in the eye with it,” said veteran GOP consultant Rick Wilson about the group’s efforts.

And I think that last one pretty much sums it all up –

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Notable Quote – Doris Grady

From the article, it seems that they have earned that “adjective” as well.  Scardy cat bullies.  Too many elected officials haven’t learned that lesson and think they are more than “elected representatives”. Commenting on the ill behavior of her fellow School Board members: “If you are an elected official, they can call you an a**hole and … Read more

NH Speaker of the House Race – incoming rumors

“NH Voters Embraced ‘O’Brien’ Budget & Agenda in 2014“: Attention: newly elected Conservative & Libertarian leaning NH House Republicans considering for whom to cast their votes for Repubs Bill O’Brien, Gene Chandler, or Lori Sanborn:

  • NEW: “Also, I have heard that Merrill, Duprey, Ayotte, Guinta, and Benson are working on a joint letter in support of Chandler.”

Turning out to be the Establishment vs the grassroots, all over again….capitalizing on the Democrat demonization of him, eh?

  • Is it the case that Gene Chandler is amassing support for himself only to say at the very last moment “I am stepping aside to give Laurie Sanborn ‘her time” – switch your votes to her” so as to “lock out” Bill O’Brien?
  • Why is US Senator Kelly Ayotte going to go all out in campaigning AGAINST Bill O’Brien?

Why are we ONLY hearing rumored actions against O’Brien? 

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Shades of Doug Scammon – secret deals by Republicans with Democrats on Elections

Cuomo had a secret re-election ‘pact’ with Republicans

The state’s most powerful Republican secretly worked for months to help Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo win re-election — in exchange for Cuomo’s promise not to aid Senate Democrats in their Long Island races, a top New York GOP leader has charged.

We here at GraniteGrok get excoriated all the time by Establishment Republicans for supporting the NH GOP Platform,  our Constitutions, and the values espoused therein. Clearly there have been Republicans that we have not supported, but we would not do what this Republican did – or Doug Scammon (short version: conspired with Democrats to become the NH Speaker of the House years ago).  This disturbing story out of NY continues (reformatted, emphasis mine):

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NH GOP – So when are they going to update the voted upon Platform?

NH GOP Victory Starts Now Logo

NH GOP Leadership – Taking hostage of the NH GOP Platform continues!

Update: or maybe not the last one?

Update 11/10 – the Last One. For Won they didn’t.  NOW, a week after the election, the NH GOP finally updated its platform…timely, very timely boys and gals.  Ya think it was…..politically motivated?  Couldn’t be, these pristine, white as the drifting snow, NH GOP Leaders we have – nothing but our best interest at heart (honest – their say-so says so!).  Good lot it did in protecting your chosen top two, eh, from the vicissitudes of “personhood”.  Oh, those “icky social issues that plague us so”.  Except this time, those “social issues” bit you in the ass!

Why?  Because real people that have real jobs and are trying to raise real families have to contend with the politicization of those social issues by the Democrats – and you told us you don’t care.  What you said was that you don’t have the political cajones to stand up and fight for your base – so they rejected you.   They realized that you craved the middle more than you did for them; that  you disdain your base.  You broke the Trust you didn’t realize you need.  You sent the message – we listened.  We actually listened.

You sounded like Democrats: against Conservatives, against the TEA Party values, against Pro-Life and against the Second Amendment. Holding back the changes to the NH GOP Platform was petty, self serving – and sent the message that you delighted in rubbing our noses in it.  Obviously, all those high priced consultants got their money for their wrong advice – and for your money, you got the shaft from us for free. Satisfied? Stark and Langdon. Like I said here: “I will say that our John Stark for Governor and John Langdon was first done as a lark” but….

Imagine what might happen if we really got serious about this over the next two years?

Changing the perception of the voter paradigm – that it is too precious a thing to waste MY Vote on those that not only do not hold MY beliefs but actively campaign against them.  Two years, folks, two years.  Just imagine…

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