Cornerstone Ministries Weighs In: Support the Responsible Republican State Legislators!

The message was LOUD and CLEAR last November – Stop the Spending.  More importantly, government needed to live within its means. If deficit spending does not work on the home front, then there is no reason our government should be allowed to do it with taxpayer money.

The simple truth is this: in this down-turned economy, NH was spending far beyond what it was bringing in for revenue – lest I need to remind you that the prior four years brought about some of largest spending increases this state had ever seen – to the tune of 25% over four years!  And don’t forget, a myriad of taxes and fees were increased, many in the dark of night, and yet they still did not bring in enough revenue to cover the bloated spending.

And so, on November 2nd, 2010, the voters threw the tax-and-spenders out of office and gave a mandate to the next crop of elected officials: Get Control of the State Budget.  And, ladies and gentlemen, that is exactly what this legislature has done with the proposed budgets, HB1 and HB2.

Now, let’s be clear: we were not under any illusions.  Not one person predicted that the cuts that were going to have to be made were going to be easy.  No, in fact if anything, most of us all knew that the necessary spending reductions along with a restructuring of public employee benefits were on a collision course with the state agencies, service providers, and the unions.  And, to no surprise, this Thursday hundreds of people belonging to the aforementioned groups are planning a rally outside of the state capital to protest the cuts in the budget.  Again, we knew this was coming.

But, I would offer to you that this is the price of bold and honest leadership.  The truth is, the state of New Hampshire has been living far beyond its means for sometime now and while many at the rally on Thursday will self-righteously proclaim that the number of cuts in the budget is immoral, they will conveniently leave out the fact that there was no moral high ground when elected leaders recklessly and irresponsibly spent taxpayer money in a manner that was leading us down a path of unsustainable programs and even financial insolvency.  Making promises one day, knowing you won’t be around to share in the blame when those promises come due (and can’t be fulfilled), is simply wrong.

The folks who ran for office last fall did so knowing that they were going to have to shoulder the burden that previous legislatures – both Democrat and Republican – left them.  They do not have the luxury of surpluses or federal stimulus money to help them paint a pretty picture.  No, this legislature has been tasked with perhaps the biggest financial challenge of any legislature before it, and my friends, THEY ANSWERED THE CALL.  We asked them to cut spending – AND THEY DID.  We asked them to cut taxes – AND THEY DID. We asked them to keep their word – AND THEY HAVE.

Simply put, this legislature deserves our support because they did EXACTLY what we asked them to do.  While organized groups opposing their efforts are getting much play in the media, we need to turn up the volume and let our elected officials know they are doing the right thing – and THANK THEM for having the courage to stand by their campaign promises – you can start by sending them and email HERE.  And after you’ve thanked them, tell your family and friends the truth about what they are doing, write a letter to the editor of your local paper and let it be known: in New Hampshire, our elected officials keep their word!

God Bless,