Doug, Author at Granite Grok

NH: Lowest Taxed in Nation. So?

September 26, 2018June 8, 2006 Doug

The June 5th "Citizen" (Laconia,NH) newspaper published an editorial regarding NH’s continued status as having the lowest overall tax burden in the Nation. In it, the paper writes,

"Imagine the relief we will feel in knowing the additional taxes we are paying are mitigated by the knowledge that our pockets are being picked at a slower rate than in 49 other states."

Right on! We may be the lowest, but the annual increases continue apace with everyone else. The costs never remain stable. The "Citizen" concludes:

"New Hampshire residents are forced to drop 12.3 percent of their income into the well of state and local taxes. Then there is what they’re paying in federal taxes — income taxes and a variety of other levies. The people of New Hampshire are paying too much in taxes. It is time to demand government get its hands out of our pockets and live within its means — like those of us it is supposed to represent."

Click here to read the whole editorial. Then come back here and finish reading this post to read the letter I submitted to the paper in response.

Good News & Bad News

September 26, 2018June 7, 2006 Doug

Monday’s Laconia Daily Sun carried a story headlined, “New Hampshire residents pay least local taxes nationally.” The article, reporting on a recent study of 2004 US Census economic data, is at the same time both good news and bad news. The good news is just what the article reports: “New Hampshire residents pay less of … Read more

What Did You Learn Today, Kids?

September 26, 2018June 6, 2006 Doug

There is no end to the meaningless pap dished out in the government school systems under the guise of "education." Click here to read the latest installment from over in the Newfound School District.

“They came in twos and threes…”

September 26, 2018May 31, 2006 Doug

As the debate rages on over whether to grant “amnesty” to those persons having violated US laws as their first act on our sovereign soil, the question of securing the border completely remains unsolved. To be sure, improvements are being made, but the end result continues to be a porous border. Like water, as certain points and locations are sealed, new paths of slight resistance will open up, allowing the flow to continue unchecked. Inexplicably, many politicians and “leaders” fail to see any need to rectify a situation whereby laws that they themselves created regarding immigration to the United States are being ignored wholesale. Most ordinary Americans don’t understand why our borders can’t be defended and protected.

Lost, Never Forgotten

September 26, 2018May 26, 2006 Doug

With Memorial Day upon us, it seems a fitting time to share some thoughts and reflections regarding a recent trip with my children to Washington, D.C. One of the sites we visited was the newly-dedicated World War II memorial. It was nothing less than breathtaking. The strength and might and heroism that was the “greatest generation’s” America and her soldiers has been captured for posterity and quite impressively depicted in an appropriate work of monumental art. The grand design is simultaneously simple yet majestic in its homage to the brave soldiers who fought and died in the defense against world domination by evil dictators and regimes. Additionally, this latest addition to the monuments gracing the nation’s capital boldly radiates the sense of unity and single-purposeness that characterized the America of that time. I proudly stood with awe and respect of my American forebears, honoring the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

A Suggestion to the President

September 26, 2018May 23, 2006 Doug

The debate over illegal immigration rages on. The President, late to the dance, has finally weighed in on the subject. While getting (rightfully) panned by conservatives for continuing his soft stance towards illegals already in the country, he did hit on several points during his recent prime-time address that have long needed to be said in a public forum. For this, he should be applauded, followed by a close watch to keep him moving in the direction of implementing real solutions to America’s illegal immigration problem. He started by stating the obvious: “For decades, the United States has not been in complete control of its borders. As a result, many who want to work in our economy have been able to sneak across our border, and millions have stayed.” It is said that acknowledging a problem is step one towards solving it.

Too Little, Too Late?

September 26, 2018May 17, 2006 Doug

The debate over illegal immigration rages on. The President, late to the dance, has finally weighed in on the subject. While getting (rightfully) panned by conservatives for continuing his soft stance towards illegals already in the country, he did hit on several points during his Monday prime-time address that have long needed to be said in a public forum. For this, he should be applauded, followed by a close watch to keep him moving in the direction of implementing real solutions to America’s illegal immigration problem. He started by stating the obvious: “For decades, the United States has not been in complete control of its borders. As a result, many who want to work in our economy have been able to sneak across our border, and millions have stayed.” It is said that acknowledging a problem is step one towards solving it.

A Warning From Teddy

September 26, 2018May 11, 2006 Doug

You can always tell when a certain issue is being considered by a larger than usual number of Americans based on the emails that start showing up in the “inbox.” Once a particular topic becomes worthy of matrix-like distribution throughout computers nationwide, you know it’s “hot.” Such is that of the current so-called “immigration rights” matter. In a couple of days, I received multiple emails with the words of Teddy Roosevelt on immigration: