“Live Free or Die” state or the nanny state? Sometimes it’s hard to tell.

John Sark..nanny
          John Stark: Live Free or Die!         NH Dems & RINO Republicans: We’re all gonna die!
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Every once and a while, you’ll hear somebody say that some particular movement or other to ban something somewhere in America "would never fly here in the Live Free or Die State." I’m almost positive one of the newsreaders on WMUR stated just that earlier this week in commenting on the story of lawmakers in Mississippi putting forth a bill banning obese people from restaurants in that state. And of course, when you learn the details, you can’t help but agree. "It could never happen here!" Check out the language in the Mississippi bill, as provided by a USA Today story:
House Bill No. 282, which was introduced this month, says: Any food establishment to which this section applies shall not be allowed to serve food to any person who is obese, based on criteria prescribed by the State Department of Health after consultation with the Mississippi Council on Obesity Prevention and Management established under Section 41-101-1 or its successor. The State Department of Health shall prepare written materials that describe and explain the criteria for determining whether a person is obese, and shall provide those materials to all food establishments to which this section applies. A food establishment shall be entitled to rely on the criteria for obesity in those written materials when determining whether or not it is allowed to serve food to any person.
The penalty? Again from USA Today:
The proposal would allow health inspectors to yank the permit from any restaurant that "repeatedly" feeds extremely overweight customers.
"Yeah, but Doug, the wags are right. That wouldn’t fly here in NH!" Really? Are you sure about that? What about when we consider the rise of walk-in medical care centers across America? While it’s not throwing fat people out of restaurants, NH isn’t exactly ready to welcome the latest innovation in personal health into our state without the state regulators’ stamp of approval, either. While you might think that opening a business in the "Live Free or Die" state would be easy, think again…

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Economic Facts and Fallacies. If only more people knew this stuff…

. Our buddy John Hawkins at RightWingNews interviewed Thomas Sowell late last week. Discussing his latest book, Economic Facts and Fallacies, Sowell offered a few tidbits showing why he has few peers when it comes to the subject: what we’re really saying is that there are lifestyle differences that have profound effects on economic outcomes. So, … Read more

From the little acorn… The growing Democratic scandal

. …. . Today’s New Hampshire Union Leader has three interesting stories that reveal the start of the public exposure of the NH Democrats’ emerging scandal surrounding the sale of taxpayer-prepared statewide voter lists. (Item #5 of NHGOP Chair Cullen’s top ten reasons things are looking up for Granite State Republicans) As it turns out, the unfolding story … Read more

NH’s “long march”

The new New Hampshire… . This letter appeared in Saturday’s Citizen newspaper (Laconia, NH). It needs litttle comment: Editor, The Citizen: . I am writing to congratulate all the people who worked so hard to pass the Civil Union legislation in New Hampshire. I especially want to thank our Sanbornton Representative, Gail Morrison. I cannot … Read more

Fix Sgambati’s Abortion Bill

Sen. Kathy Sgambati’s as drafted an “abortion notification bill,” as Tom Fahey of the Union Leader describes it in his State House Dome column.  Fahey writes:

The state has had no parental notification law on abortions for minors since the Legislature repealed its flawed statute last year.
A new abortion notification bill would require a girl to talk with a guidance counselor or a health professional before obtaining an abortion. Parental involvement is preferred, but optional.
The bill, SB 527, sets a goal of "objective and comprehensive counseling to all minors who are seeking an abortion."
The bill by Democratic Sen. Kathy Sgambati requires a counselor to discuss "the possibility of involving the minor’s parents." But it adds "there are circumstances where the health and safety of a minor would be endangered by mandating parental involvement."

It requires girls to get information about carrying a pregnancy to full term and adoption. The bill is not yet scheduled for a hearing.

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Ooh baby… Give me some STIMULUS! Yes… Yes… Huh? That’s it?

Stimulus Package
One shot deal?
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I’m sorry, but I’m havin’ a bit of trouble getting overly excited by the "stimulus" package being offered up by President Bush and his spend-happy pals on Capitol Hill. And of course, it’s bad enough as it is, but, as usual, there are some in the Senate that want to add even more scabs to the package…
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Don’t get me wrong–  as a small business owner, I appreciate the tax cuts offered should I decide to purchase some new equipment. And I do like the drop in the rate on the first 6/12K of income. It would be nice to see this accompanied by a meaningful and much deeper cut in the overall rates. Because I employ people, I see how much money is taken from everybody’s paychecks, plus from my business as a whole in addition to what they pay. A once time payment, as also included in the package is great, but for most people, in an instant, it will be gone.

"How’s your ‘stimulus’ doin’, Frank?" 

"Not bad, Doug. I paid for a tank of heating oil, and the wife bought some new clothes."

We know where THAT stimulus ended up, don’t we?
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Dragon Soup: Front page of USA Today reports: 75% of Baghdad Secure

Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, talks to Iraqi children in the Masafee neighborhood of East Rashid, Baghdad during a recent visit there. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Kirk Luedeke, 4IBCT Public Affairs)

 
Kudos to USA Today reporter Jim Michaels, whose front page story in the Jan. 18-20 edition of the paper reports that 75% of Baghdad’s neighborhoods are secure as opposed to just 8% exactly one year earlier.
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This is an important story because it quantifies the progress that has been gaining momentum in mainstream media reporting since General David Petraeus issued his Iraq War progress report to the House and Senate back in September.
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My boss, Colonel Ricky Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division stationed here in Southern Baghdad, was interviewed for the story and I sat in on the telephonic interview he conducted with Michaels. Here are some points that didn’t make the final cut in the story, but provide further context for Michaels’ fair and accurate reporting:

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Not a dime’s worth of difference? I don’t think so. It’s the socialism, stupid!

Heil Hillary
Towards national socialism?
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feel good slogans
Intoxicating cliches?
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Having listened to many of the presidential wannabees of both political parties as they crisscrossed the Granite State in the leadup to the primary, I can assure readers that the difference between ALL the candidates is vast. To a man (and woman), the Democrats advocate a rapid expansion of the nanny state while the top Republicans definitely bring free market principles to the fore. Of course when you strip the specifics away, what it comes down to is the American free market system versus one of socialism.
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While policy wonks and wags of all stripes can debate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the various candidates as to whether they’re not conservative enough, upon listening to them, there is no doubt where the Republicans stand and where the Democrats weigh in. 
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"But Doug, SOCIALISM– please! That sounds so, you know, harsh. Aren’t we all Americans? Can’t we all just get along? Why must you use such labels? It’s almost downright insulting!" Of course, I disagree with that sentiment. I believe in open, forthright debate, and I like labels. 
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When it comes to the discussion about socialism and its basic tenets, you’ll no doubt agree that one of the main buzzwords bandied about by many Democrats at all levels of politics is the lovely sounding term "social justice." One of the best definitions I’ve come across is found in my signed copy of Balint Vazsonyi’s book, America’s Thirty Years War: Who is Winning? In the chapter entitled "Social Justice" he writes
The quotation marks in the title are used most advisedly. The words themselves are among the most successful deceptions ever conceived. Ask a variety of people to define what "social justice" means, specifically, and you will get as many answers as people queried. Ask the same person at different times and you will get different responses. All "definitions" of social justice boil down to any of the following:

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MAKING MONEY??!! In the Cradle of Liberty? Whaddayuhnuts?

… . . When we debate the health care "crisis" we tend to miss what the real battle involves. To me it’s clear: we are caught in a tug-of-war between our free market (capitalist) system and socialism. The private sector in which people "profit"– which is then split between the earner keeping the fruits of … Read more

Attention WalMart Shoppers: The Doctor is IN.

Redi Clinic
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In prior postings on the subject, I noted that the delivery of health care services in my local region is controlled in total by a single monopoly. I wrote
…the local "non profit" health-delivery institution is, for all intents and purposes, a monopoly. Through the years, they have worked all the machinations of government regulations to stifle any and all competition that has attempted to make its mark in the area. They have now either driven from business or purchased any effectively competing health-care delivery service that would bring any alternative choices to the area. With no market forces working against the costs, they rise exponentially.
When a person has catastrophic insurance to cover "the big stuff", it’s "pay as you go" for the sore throats and other various "minor" medical needs– coming straight from the wallet. That describes many people I know. Dittoes for those with huge deductibles on their insurance policies. When paying out of pocket, it goes without saying that whatever is saved for the health care service is money left for food and other life needs.
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No one will deny that when Wal Mart showed up on the scene, people were able to spend less money for life’s necessities like toilet paper and food storage containers. This left more to spend on other things, thus increasing the standard of living for consumers of all stripes. Wouldn’t it be good if, instead of being left at the mercy of a monopolistic system with no incentive to control costs to the consumer, somebody like a Wal Mart could offer low-cost alternatives for some of the more mundane medical matters of life?
Guess what? The time is now. Ever hear of something call RediClinic? If you haven’t, you will, I hope. Check this out, from the RediClinic website:

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Romney Advisor Tom Rath Busts a Move

One of these days, EVERYBODY will get the memo about the new world in which we now live. Could Republican "stalwart" Tom Rath look more out of place?   . . Good God, man! Have you no shame? . Could it be, thanks to the New Media, we will finally be rid of dinosaurs like this, … Read more

For Mitt Romney, I have one question.

Send ’em back by osmosis. Supported by McCain & others. . For all his blather about illegal immigration, I still say there is little difference in "Mr. Romney’s plan" versus the "McCain plan." There is but one question for Gov. Romney: Do you support roundup and deportation of ALL twelve million illegals that are presently here? If … Read more

Go ahead. Make my day!

. This story made my day! From the Indianapolis Star: A 51-year-old man stopped a masked man from robbing a Southside grocery store and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. . [snip] .While the suspect was demanding cash from the workers, the police report states that Merrell pulled his own handgun, pointed it at … Read more

How are they gonna fix this?

empty pockets
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Our friend Charlie Arlinghaus of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy is once again sounding the alarm over the financial state of affairs here in the Granite State. One can only hope that the current crop of "leaders" and legislators will take this information to heart and make the necessary steps needed to correct the looming problem. Hopefully that won’t mean reaching further into our wallets… 
   

Revenue on Track for $75 Million Shortfall

By Charles M. Arlinghaus
New Hampshire State revenues are currently on a track to produce a shortfall of more than $75 million in the fiscal year ending June 2008. That shortfall could be reduced by a strong economic performance over the next months but will likely grow larger as corporate profits growth slows after the explosive growth of recent years.
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A revenue shortfall is more damaging even than it seems because of the way the New Hampshire budget is put together. Revenue has always been estimated somewhat cautiously to provide a cushion in case spending is somewhat higher than expected or the economy doesn’t look as bright as once thought. That cautiousness has been necessary because annual spending has almost always significantly exceeded the budgeted amount.
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On a monthly basis, the state government publishes updates on tax revenue. However we will have little information about the spending side of the budget until the end of the fiscal year. Monthly spending estimates are possible and have been planned for but have yet to be implemented.
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We know for every tax how much was budgeted to come in and how much actually did come in. This level of detail and timely reporting is one of the most transparent parts of government. It helps serve as an early warning system so we can prepare for potential budget shortfalls.
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On the spending side of the budget however, we have little or no idea where we stand compared to budget. In February, the governor announced a plan to place monthly spending updates online as well. At this date, ten months later, no progress has been made. That makes careful consideration of revenue projections all the more important.

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An Open Plea to the NHDOT: Just Say NO!!

.pumping gas.taxpayer..
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I have written in numerous prior postings about the NHDOT’s wasteful ways being perpetuated by raising tolls and gas taxes instead of forcing them to make the necessary belt-tightening corrections within their system. Using highway funds made up of gasoline and fuel taxes paid by the motoring public for a plethora of non-road related projects combined with a culture of inefficient methods of operation takes dollars away from the vital infrastructure & expansion projects that were supposed to be the intended purpose of such funds.
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Back in July I noted that then acting NHDOT Commisioner Charles O’Leary, commenting on the financial state of affairs in the department, said
Not enough money and too many promises sums up the sad state of New Hampshire’s 10-year highway plan, says Transportation Commissioner Charles O’Leary.
In a posting dating back to August of ’06, I wrote, of public transportation in rural areas,
One of my long time pet peeves has been the gobs of gas-tax and other tax-funded monies wasted on certain public transportation systems. I certainly support and appreciate public transportation systems in urban areas- where they are cost-effective (for the most part) and heavily used. It is when attempts are made to bring widespread service to rural areas that it becomes a costly, underutilized proposition- which I have a problem with.
So what do I read in the paper this week?

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The Bad Bush Economy…

. . As we approach the holiday season, despite the fact that we continue to pay ever-higher costs for energy of all types, it has been my observation that the economy is indeed much stronger than one might be led to believe. If you listen to the doom and gloom politicians and their comrades in … Read more

Full Circle in Iran?

Protesting at Tehran University Sunday 12/8/07 (H/T Drudge) . This is a rather interesting pic given the slogan on the sign, and the fact that it is IRANIAN students waving it in protest AGAINST their fundamental Islamic overlords. As a citizen of the Granite State, it gives me pause to see our state’s motto hoisted for the world to … Read more

Ted Nugent on “Gun- Free Slaughter Zones”

. As we’ve noted in the past, Ted Nugent points out the obvious fix to the rash of mass shootings here in the US. Once again he takes the lead on this matter. While his most recent newspaper column deals with the mall shooting, we should note that at the Christian Church, the gunman was … Read more

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