“As Chairman of the NHGOP I will enforce all applicable bylaws…” Jennifer Horn, September 16, 2014

So how does “at least 10 days before the meeting [September 20]” equal a September 12 postmark?

“3. Meetings: Meetings of the State Committee may be called on the initiative of the State Chairman or shall be called by the Chairman upon the written request of fifty members of the State Committee, or at least one-third of the members of the Executive Committee. Notice of any such meetings shall be mailed to each member at their last known address, at least ten days before the day of the meeting, provided, that when in the opinion of the State Chairman and one-third of the Executive Committee, an extraordinary or emergency situation exists requiring lesser notice,

“…Notice of any such meetings shall be mailed to each member at their last known address, at least ten days before the day of the meeting“

Susan’s post pointing out that the NH GOP has royally screwed up by not adhering to its own rules is appropriate.  I have had a number of folks call me and complaining that they did not receive their proper notification in time, especially those that had to wait for their delegate races to become official.  After all, we all know that just because Election Day is over, races are not over (sorta like when Obama declares a war to be over – and it isn’t).

No Susan, the math isn’t hard – it IS easy but only if one pays attention while counting on your fingers (and sometimes, toes).  Obviously, we are seeing the results of New Math in politics (I can’t WAIT to see how Common Core math is going to play out in this arena!).  However, here is the MOST important part: will the NH GOP:

• Own up to its own mistake
• Adhere to its own stated rules and reschedule
• Or try a cover up and CYA it over with this from the same  Rule that Susan quotes:

 “…that when in the opinion of the State Chairman and one-third of the Executive Committee an extraordinary or emergency situation exists requiring lesser notice, a meeting may be called by the Chairman provided, each member is notified by mail at least five days before the day of the meeting.”

Let’s be real here….there has been NO indication that the Chair and 1/3 of the E-Board have voted to declared such an emergency,

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I will not bore the reader with the details of parliamentary procedure as it pertains to conventions; but Robert’s Rules of Order has a great section on conventions and bylaws. As it is, The New Hampshire Republican Convention is called at the will of the New Hampshire Republican State committee; and is subject to the rules adopted; and the Corporation’s bylaws which govern the “Committee, Boards, and Other Groups…”

“ARTICLE VII: Procedures Generally Applicable to Committees, Boards, and Other Groups Hereunder”

“…The following provisions shall govern the conduct of operations of all bodies governed by these bylaws…”

“Unless otherwise specifically provided, notice of any meeting shall be given by mailing a notice thereof to each member at their last known address at least ten days before the day of such a meeting…” Robert’s Rules; specify that the notice shall include the hour, date, and location of the meeting.

What should be concerning to all delegates to the Convention is that

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Late to the party for the NH GOP Platform changes (2014-Platform—Red-Ruled)….should have looked at this stuff before (have now scraped them and will be doing more commenting later).  Didn’t get to any of the meetings and reading the changes for the first time.  Frankly, I blame myself for my lack as, overall, I’m not groovin’ to these changes  Oh well – some quick thoughts on the changes that seem to ditch our history as (as the Dems say) be more “inclusive):

• It seems like the NH GOP wishes to drop formally recognizing traditional families – every current mention of such is to be eliminated.
• Founding Fathers?  Yeah, they’re getting dropped too.  I guess the NH GOP is bowing to the Left’s “dead white men” and trying to distance themselves from our Founding Fathers.
• Overall all, it seems to have gone mushy in order to be less specific – I guess pastels are more the shade of the times.
• Some new clauses, draping itself in verbiage that the Republican Party MUST be supported as the only bulwark against the Democrat agenda (er, did anyone tell them about the NH State Senate Republican votes FOR major Democrat agenda items??).

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Here I gave some of my overall thoughts of the changes proposed to the NH GOP Platform on Saturday (redlined changes here: 2014-Platform—Red-Ruled).  Fair to say, I’m not overly impressed but hey, that’s what happens when you don’t participate in the process (bad on me) but at least I get to vote on them (good for me). In order presented:

We believe that the New Hampshire and United States Constitutions were written by our forefathers to limit our government, not our freedoms  protect freedoms and define the boundaries of our government.

Limit is a much stronger word and puts a better nuance of who comes first when it comes to government and our freedom.  I downcheck this change.

We believe that the Founding Fathers gave the 1st Amendment has its pre-eminent position with intent that religious freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble and freedom of redress of grievances, all deserves to be protectedion.

We believe that our founding fathers placed the 2nd Amendment is in a position of prominence with the intent that law-abiding citizens of the United States of America have a right to protect and defend their lives, their families and their property without government infringement.

Why did somebody think that removing mentions of “our Founding Fathers” is such a hot idea? 

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So how much money flowed out of NH simply for the Feds to take their take in order to return it back?

Tree Group Getting $140,000 Grant to Teach Landscaping Safety

A New Hampshire group is receiving nearly $140,000 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to help provide training in the landscaping and tree care industries in electrical hazards and aerial lift safety.  The Tree Care Industry Association will be assisting workers and employers.  A total of 78 nonprofit organizations are receiving over $10 million in funds through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, including community- and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, and colleges and universities.

The programs educate workers and employers in industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; underserved youth; limited English proficiency and other vulnerable workers; and small businesses.

Being a Free Market guy, I keep wondering:

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Artificially defining the value of labor makes Democrats feel good.  Not because they forced someone to pay more than that hour of labor is worth, though I suspect they enjoy the feeling of power such arbitrary expressions of authority represent.  They feel good because they know it will grow the size of government.

The Unions feel good because it gives them leverage to ask for higher wages for skilled workers, whom they can then charge more in dues to line their own pockets.

But best of all (for Democrats at least) raising the minimum wage makes people most in need of jobs and skills unemployable, forcing them to turn to the state for assistance.

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