Op-Ed, Author at Granite Grok

Standing up Against the Assault on our Republic

February 23, 2020 Op-Ed

In 2018, Democrats running for state representative seats in Concord proclaimed the need for bipartisanship. They won a majority in the House and Senate with their campaign promises. The truth became clear very soon after they swore their oath to our NH Constitution; they had the majority and they intended to subject the minority to … Read more

Bloomberg’s Bitter Harvest

February 20, 2020 Op-Ed

Members of the political class often simultaneously demonstrate ignorance and arrogance, but Michael Bloomberg’s comment about farmers takes him right to the top of that class.

How is providing care to a newborn controversial?

February 20, 2020 Op-Ed

I brought forward the Born Alive Infant Act, SB 741, in order to ensure that a baby who takes its first breath receives all reasonable medical actions needed to preserve their life, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.

“Is there a difference between reporting and perceptions of activities of Republicans and Democrats?”

February 20, 2020 Op-Ed

Is it just me, or is there a difference between reporting and perceptions of activities of Republicans and Democrats? If there is a story, a rumor, an innuendo, or a tenuous connection associated with a Republican, the worst interpretation is reported and repeated.

We May Have an Electioneering Problem in New Hampshire Public Schools

February 18, 2020 Op-Ed

I wonder if teachers and administrators at Windham High School in New Hampshire, and other schools throughout the state, realize that having campaign signs and other campaign materials in the classroom is likely a misdemeanor in the state of NH?

Focus on Growth, Opportunity and Innovation is Paying Off for New Hampshire

February 18, 2020 Op-Ed

The takeaway message from Gov. Chris Sununu’s State of the State address on Thursday was that New Hampshire, like comedian Larry The Cable Guy, gets her done.

Virginia: “Our entire Bill of Rights has been under assault”

February 15, 2020 Op-Ed

As a member of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Rick Goodman has led a grassroots effort in his county to have Prince William County established as a Constitutional County by resolution of the Board of Supervisors in late 2019.

The Lawless Congressional Leadership

February 14, 2020February 13, 2020 Op-Ed

We’ve all seen the viral video of the Speaker of The House, Nancy Pelosi seemingly tearing up her slide deck in a fit of pique. Representative Paul Gosar calling for bringing her up on ethics charges had a lot more going for his take on events than most of us because Speaker Pelosi destroyed an official document on national television.

students classroom (no masks) kids teacher Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Why YOU should Support HB 1232 And Restore Parental Rights

April 19, 2022February 12, 2020 Op-Ed

HB 1232 would restore parental rights. It shifts the burden of proof in due process hearings regarding special education placement on the school district or public agency, not the parents. Why is this important?

SB 684 is Harmful to Your Children’s Health

February 10, 2020 Op-Ed

SB 684-FN has been slated for swift passage through the legislature. Have you stopped to ask why? First, Medicaid dinged NH for billing services which were not rendered by properly trained medical professionals in schools.

Follow the Money

February 1, 2020 Op-Ed

I have been working on both State and County Budgets for over two decades. One handy rule I use in analyzing why the money is in the budget is “Follow the Money.” This simple rule leads one to find out the why this got included. Who benefits? Where does the money come from?

HB1159 Testimony – making Public Servants into a new “Protected Class” above citizens

January 31, 2020 Op-Ed

TO: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee DATE: January 29, 2020 RE: HB 1159-FN – AN ACT relative to cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and doxxing of a public servant. FROM: Kathleen LaBonte, <redacted> Dear Chairman Cushing and Committee Members: I begin my public testimony AGAINST HB 1159 by quoting Thomas Jefferson: “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action … Read more

Tulsi, Marco, and Hillary’s Shadow

January 31, 2020 Op-Ed

So I was with a state rep friend on a Saturday night last November at the Salt Hill Pub in Lebanon watching football on the Pub’s TV. Dartmouth was beating Princeton in a game played in Yankee Stadium, of all places. Then Tulsi Gabbard walks into the bar.

The Second Amendment Sanctuary Movement Comes to COOS COUNTY New Hampshire.

June 5, 2026January 31, 2020 Op-Ed

It is rather sad that a Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms (both the Second Amendment and Article 2-A) must be defended in this manner. But a tyrannical Government will never admit to being such – and it will always use phrases such as “common sense,” “safety and security,” “for the common good,” “keeping firearms out of the hands that shouldn’t have them.”

Is NH the Next Virginia?

January 27, 2020 Op-Ed

Did Governor Sununu think the 22,000 pro-gun, constitution-loving people who showed up in Virginia were actually supporters of anti-gun legislation, or does he think, like governor Northam, that we no longer matter?

The Appeal of Socialism to Millennials’

January 27, 2020January 26, 2020 Op-Ed

Socialism is once again singing its sirens song to the disaffected in this case largely millennial population in the united states. Unfortunately, we did it to ourselves “we have met the enemy and he is us.”

An event: The Truth About Socialism

January 23, 2020 Op-Ed

Sponsor: The Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy Event: The Truth About Socialism Date: Feb 8 (Sat) Time: 6:30-8pm Cost: $10 Reservations: www.jbartlett.org

CACR 15 Being Heard Today in Concord on Warrantless Searches

January 23, 2020 Op-Ed

For Immediate Release January 22, 2019 Contact: 603-722-0501 House Testimony on Constitutional Amendment Regarding Protection of Information from Warrantless Searches. CONCORD – House Republican Josh Yokela (R-Fremont) issued the following statement before the House Judiciary Committee hears testimony on CACR15, a constitutional amendment to protect information from warrantless searches: “A foundational principle of limited government … Read more

NH House Report – January 17, 2020

January 20, 2020January 20, 2020 Op-Ed

To my constituents in Allenstown, Epsom, & Pittsfield: This week, the House started in on the new 2020 bills, with a flood of public hearings. So there were many fewer bills to me to report on, but more data on most of them. I presented my HB 1412 to the Education Committee. This bill requires … Read more

Lonely (for now) legislators push sales, income taxes

January 18, 2020 Op-Ed

A bill to tax sales of electronics in New Hampshire made news this week, and the bemused media coverage it drew was justified. Yet New Hampshire Union Leader State House Bureau Chief Kevin Landrigan saw a different, and more important, angle.