The Chaz and Skip Debate – Round 1 – Point

Ok Thanks for your patience Skip et al. As you may have noticed, I endorsed Hillary Clinton for President this week. That has kept me occupied on the blogosphere. That plus building and preparing for winter is keeping me in "catch up" mode. I do think this is a great project though and one that I will commit to. So let me start with a short opening statement.

In my endorsement of Senator Clinton I called healthcare my number one domestic issue. No matter your vantage point, its a big one that isn’t going away. I think we all agree on that, correct me if I’m wrong. Health care is of course a huge economic issue. Industries in the western world have a capital advantage over us because of either universal or single payer systems. All you have to do is watch what is happening in our auto industry to see how crucial the difference is.

Our hodgepodge system began when I was born shortly after World War two. Employers at that time were able to sustain health care premiums for its steady workers. That system became outdated thirty years ago, but we still use it. Lose your job, lose your healthcare. If you don’t work for a major corporation chances are you won’t have ANY healthcare. Most self-employed people can’t afford it, or if they are paying it their operating costs become so thin that its hard to stay motivated. These are just a few of the problems, but from where most Americans sit, this is a broken antiquated system that needs fundamental change.

I also believe that the American people, through the American government should be able to use the most powerful capitalistic tools available to bring down the cost of health care. In other words I don’t see "buying in bulk to drive down costs" as anything remotely socialistic. I’m happy to go into any of this in detail when the time comes. End of intro.

Let’s start with the question of whether I am a socialist.

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John McCain rips the bark off of Romney!

Wow! As many of you might have figured out, I’m the kind of guy that LOVES the heat of political battle. I can’t get enough of those able to deliver the conservative message in such a way that it becomes for all intents and purposes indisputable to all those who hear it. Additionally, I appreciate … Read more

And suddenly, while on “the [toll] road to Damascus,” a NH Executive Councilor joins the rest of us…

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Ray Wieczorek
The "Wiz": In favor of raising tolls
before he was against raising them.
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On the front page of today’s NH Union Leader, it is being reported that one of the Republicans on the Governor’s Executive Council has joined the rest of us and is now

Angry with himself

over the vote he made last week to help implement the Great Republican Toll Hike of 2007. Tom Fahey, the State House Bureau Chief writes
Executive Councilor Raymond Wieczorek wants to take another look at the turnpike toll hikes he helped vote into place.
This is, of course, good news indeed. The unfortunate part is that had he and his fellow Republican on the Council, Ray Burton, done what they should have and joined Democrat Deb Pignatelli in saying "NO", he wouldn’t be with the rest of us today in being angry with him(self). According to Fahey, Wieczorek said
"I thought about it, and then said, ‘What the heck am I doing in voting for something like this, when I give them $8 million more than they asked for?’ I’ve got a problem with it."
So what caused him to suddenly see the light? According to the UL,
Wieczorek said he was not under any political pressure to change his vote. "I hardly had any phone calls here at all, he said. "I’m just angry with myself."
Me too, Ray. And as far as phone calls go, has anybody ever tried to contact an Executive Councilor to lobby against something? I did. As I recounted in this previous post on October 1st:

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Monday Poll– NH DOT toll hikes. Are they necessary? Who’s to blame?

Is there ANY change to the wasteful ways? Party on, dudes! . In the comments section of the previous post about the elimination of machines at the toll booths and the replacement with MORE state workers mere days after the Great Republican Toll Hikes of 2007, a reader, "Frank", claims I’ve got it all wrong, … Read more

What the F#&K?!!! I thought the tolls were raised to FIX roads. Fooled again, suckers!

. I just dropped my coffee reading today’s New Hampshire Sunday News. I knew this would happen! After GraniteGrok fought a valiant but fruitless effort to shame the Republican (?) executive councilors into voting "NO" on raising to tolls, now comes this. Writing in the "State House Dome" column, Tom Fahey reports: Say goodbye to exact … Read more

Couldn’t Have Said It Better Myself!

Ever since politico.com did a profile on me, I started checking out their blog…albeit, somewhat infrequently. As a blogger, we love to read what other bloggers have to say since bloggers have a tendancy to tell it like it is. The old media is way too left-wing, looney toon most of the time. At any rate, here’s … Read more

Begging the Governor’s Executive Council…

I know it’s pointless, but I thought that I’d say it one last time before today’s vote : Please don’t raise the tolls! Ask yourselves these questions: Has the NH DOT saved as much money as they possibly can? Has every stone been turned, leading up to the point of taking MORE money from the people? You … Read more

Rudy– Defending his record on taxes.

In a story posted today on the campaign web site, Rudy Giuliani puts his record on cutting taxes front and center. In a piece entitled, "RUDY MAKES ¢ENTS DAY ONE: Mayor Giuliani Cut Taxes 23 Times,"  America’s Mayor offers proof of where he stands on taxation. "I believe that you collect more money from lower … Read more

Concord’s Priorities

We have all giggled about Concord’s more absurd initiatives (state-funding for adult diapers, fines for losing your helium balloons) and cringed at its devious ones (repealing the parental notification law, civil unions). But this latest legislative push—which occurs as state spending continues to climb out of control and with no solution to the school funding … Read more

NH DOT Funding Follies cont’d: Say NO to the Lynch/ GOP toll hike.

State Workers..EZ Pass.
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Regarding the ongoing NHDOT spending mess and proposed tax increases on the hapless citizenry, I was pleased to see that NH GOP chair Fergus Cullen had the gumption to put up a petition at the state party website saying that Governor
Lynch and the Democrats in Concord need to prove to taxpayers that they can be responsible custodians of the state’s finances before they can collect more of our hard-earned dollars.
Deciphered, because the petition is vaguely worded (which you’ll see why in a second), it means: Say NO to an increase in the tolls we pay on our highways. This is great news, because, as many regular readers know, I have been railing the Republican structure (such as it is) for its failure to take strong, public stands on the issues of the day. Finally– in the form of this petition– the Granite State GOP has taken a firm specific stand on something that will affect many regular folks, otherwise known as "the voters."
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There’s only one slight problem with Fergus’ NHGOP initiative—

He’s sending it to the wrong people!

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In case you didn’t know, the NH Executive Council will be voting on this Wednesday. From their posted agenda:
#96A      Authorize to increase the rate of toll at Hooksett, Bedford, Dover and Rochester Mainlines by 25 cents for single rear tire vehicles (classes 1-4) and by 50 cents for duel rear tire vehicles (classes 5-12).  (2)Further authorize the Commissioner to increase the rate of toll at Hampton State Toll by 50 cents for single rear tire vehicles (classes 1-4) and by $1.00 for dual rear tire vehicles (classes 5-12), in accordance with RSA 237:9 and RSA 237:40.  Effective at 12:01 a.m. on October 22, 2007
Why send a petition to the Governor– who already said he will support a toll hike, when it is now up to the Executive Council to make this decision?

Could it be because the two Republicans still left on the Governor’s Council are planning to vote in favor of the increase?

Is Fergus Cullen actually crazy enough to try to tar and feather the state’s Democratic governor on an issue when two major "leaders" of his very own party stand with Lynch in agreement? How can the party maintain the slightest shred of credibility with the average Joes and Janes of NH when they criticize a member of the opposing party for being wrong on an issue while remaining silent when it comes to their own? What will voters think when the two seniormost elected Republican officials in the state government stand pat with the Governor when he claims he’s done as much on the savings side of the revenue equation as he can, leaving nothing left but to take more money from the hapless people?

How about it, Fergus? Will you be sending the petitions to Mr. Burton and Mr. Wieczorek for their consideration?

GOPDOA
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While it’s doubtful that Ray Burton (who never met a taxpayer that couldn’t afford to pay more to continue funding the pet projects that have kept him safely ensconced in his seat) will vote against a hike in tolls, perhaps the Wiz will be more open minded? 

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Moral/Immoral: Who Decides?

I admire Gen. Pace for refusing to apologize for his own personal opinions, and here, regarding what he considers immoral behavior. The top dems try to please all of the people all of the time and apparently have no morals, adultery’s okay, civil unions are okay, etc., etc. and basically think just about everything and anything is okay. When … Read more

A union hack, apparently taking the “high road,”, decries American corporations and their “unmitigated exploitation” of workers. What, did they want them to actually work?

California union members assaulting Arnold supporter in 2005 . When it comes to pointing fingers at who’s to blame for the continuing exodus of manufacturing jobs to China and other such places, I have long believed that the hardcore union types should look in the mirror for a glimpse of at least one of the … Read more

Is Anything Off Limits?

I doubt that it’s just Catholics who are outraged by this story! Those of you who still think the civil union/gay marriage agenda is not a slippery slope issue may need to re-think what’s going on in our culture! Is America better today or was it better before when public schools still taught Godly principals and the Ten Commandments … Read more

A conversation with John Ratzenberger

. Following Tuesday’s "Keep it Made in America" town hall style meeting here in NH, I had an opportunity to spend a few minutes with John Ratzenberger. We discussed the value of children doing things with their hands, playing outside away from the computers and videos, getting up early, and nurturing a "work ethic." We … Read more

Is it possible to heal homosexuality?

In Iran homosexuals are put to death…here’s the latest from Fox News…I’m sure we can all agree, no matter what side of the issue we’re on, that we all condemn the death penalty just because someone is a practicing homosexual.

 

If you’ve read any of my posts from the past, you know that I am opposed to civil unions and gay marriage for a multitude of reasons. But there’s a significant difference between being opposed to  CUs for homosexuals and believing someone should be put to death.

 

This leads to exploring a new study about whether or not homosexuals can be healed and become heterosexuals.

 

Here’s the recent research on the possibility of changing sexual orientation.

 

Okay, yeah, I already know that the chimps won’t like it, and more than likely I’ll be called more bad and creative names. That’s okay.

 

However, since my husband and I spent many years in ministry counseling homosexuals, I can personally attest to the fact that they can be “healed” of homosexuality. As in any other complex issue people deal with; e.g., sexual abuse, alcoholism, pedophilia, etc., because God created us with free will, a person must first be willing to change.

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How do we compete with this?

This video, shot in a factory somewhere in China, shows a multiple- ton press making what appears to be metal pan-inserts one might find in a buffet-chafing dish. What you are watching is workers sitting in the press itself, in between the form punches & dies, moving the parts by hand in progression from start to finish. The press appears to be the type with the big counterweight wheel as opposed to hydraulic.
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Anyone even remotely familiar with industrial settings here in America knows that what you see– people sitting within a machine such as a press– isn’t in the least bit safe, nor legal. And, rightfully so. A press with the counterweight wheel cannot be quickly stopped, nor can it be retracted in the event of an emergency, like if the worker’s hand got caught in the pan. Hydraulic machines, the chosen method here, can be easily reversed and withdrawn. Additionally, most shops found here and in other free countries use very expensive automated progression type die machines that eliminate the need for people to move stuff through dangerous portions of the works.
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If the Youtube above had been shot at a factory here in the United States, you can be sure that the owner’s face would quickly appear on wanted posters in Post Offices all around the country. Geraldo would report in front of the offending place, tears flowing, on the cruel treatment of such hapless examples of downtrodden humanity. Public outrage would be the order of the day– again, rightfully so. In today’s world, there is no reason for people to have to work in such conditions. Safety for workers is the top order of the day throughout today’s business world, excepting places like China, of course.

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Liveblogging from the Palace Theater in Manchester: “Keep it Made in America” Town Hall Meeting.

John Ratzenberger….Keep It Made in America….Granite Grok
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The GraniteGrok crew is here at the Palace Theater in Manchester, New Hampshire tonight where television and film star John Ratzenberger and the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) are hosting the ‘Keep it Made in America’ Town Hall Meeting.  This is the first in a series of events, which will travel to seven cities in twelve weeks to highlight the growing demand among voters that the presidential candidates address the challenges facing American workers and manufacturers.
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What I find intriguing about the AAM is that it is made up of both manufacturers AND labor union elements– working in concert with each other in common purpose as opposed to the more traditional stances in opposition to each other. Judging by the tee shirts, there is a good number of union related people here this evening. I’ve also spotted prez candidate Vern Wuensche in the crowd, along with some McCain people. Mayor Giunta is welcoming the crowd and making introductions. Scott Paul, the executive director of the AAM is now speaking. BAA Systems. Steelworkers of Manchester are represented. Bringing together Dems, Repubs, union, management,etc. in common cause for US manufacturing. Sen. Ted Gatsas & Sen.Betsy Devries are here also. Gatsas is recalling the history of the mills here in NH. "Made in USA" is still an important slogan. There is much excitement and enthusiasm here in the room.

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PART I ** NHDOT –“Cut one in four jobs starting in 2009” Could that be the answer?

NH DOT workers
One in four?   (9/21/07)
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[NOTE: This is a repost of a piece, originally up Friday, titled, Change is good… Especially if there’s any left in our pockets after NH’s "leaders" are done with us. That way, we can pay the tolls! This story is one we believe everybody MUST know about. See PART II here.]
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In the August 31 Laconia Daily Sun (unavailable online) story about the ongoing money woes of the NH DOT, it was reported that
The state needs to examine how it is spending its existing highway construction money before talking about raising more revenue, Gov. John Lynch says.
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"We have to be more disciplined," Lynch said Wednesday. "We can’t do everything, nor should we do everything."
Additionally, he said,

"Before we consider the need for additional revenue- which I don’t think is there- we need to manage the funds today, which we are not doing well."

WOW! I thought– after some three years as Governor, I finally found something I could agree with him about! At the end of August I was finally happy with the thought that for once, when it came to the NH DOT funding "crisis", we would do the right thing. We would finally "fix" government overspending by reducing it, instead of simply taking more money from the hapless citizens of the state. Despite the fact that some prominent Republican "leaders" like my Executive Councilor Ray Burton (who has long overseen the squandering of the road dough) and others who’ve been saying we need to raise gas taxes and tolls claiming it’s been too long since we last increased them, I thought Gov. Lynch would hang tough.
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Guess what? I was wrong about Gov. Lynch. Apparently, he didn’t mean what he said. Or, is the state already done "examining how it is spending its existing highway construction money?" We must be, right? The Governor said that would be done before "talking about raising more revenue." And we must have figured out how to "manage the funds" much better in the three weeks since the Governor made the above statements, right?
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The Governor said we would do all those things before seeking additional revenue, and well, as you’ve probably heard by now, he’s gone and approved a toll hike on our highways. I’m pretty sure he means to seek additional revenue by doing that… This was the headline from yesterday’s Daily Sun:

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