Articles tagged as

Debate

Just following orders from Hillary

Protesting and debating and all that. As she says, "we are Americans and we have a right to debate up and disagree with any administration…" Don’t you just love Youtube? I’ll bet politicians do, too! [H/T Jane]

And we thought Chairman Buckles was in a “class” by himself!

  Mirror mirror on the wall… Who’s the nastiest of ’em all? Warner Todd Huston alerts us to a story of a Democratic party chair "engaging" in the ongoing healthcare debate. Well, not really debating or anything like that, but in fact, name calling in a blog commentary post. And no, we’re not talking about … Read more

The “Town Hall” meeting that wasn’t. Shaheen playing “Whack-A-Mole”?

You won’t catch me, my little pretties! Heheeheheee! After being billed in an email by a well-financed (read: "astroturfed") Democrat activist network as a town hall event featuring Jeanne Shaheen, not only did the Senator not show, as reported earlier, it turns out that it wasn’t a "town hall" style meeting, either. Can’t they just make up … Read more

BREAKING NEWS: NH Dem Chairman calls the people “thugs”

  NH Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley Using what could be best described as an "ugly" term for someone in the chairman’s position in one of the mainstream political parties here in New Hampshire, Democrat leader Ray Buckley shows signs of becoming completely unhinged in the face of the groundswell of anti-socialized health care sentiment. In what … Read more

Denial. Isn’t that a river in Egypt?

  NH Dems "attacking" budget woes with great vigor… The NHGOP rightfully pans the great "leadership" we are witnessing by Gov Do-Nuthin’ Lynch and his fellow majority Democrats: CONCORD – Six days after a Superior Court ruling blocked the attempted theft of $110 million from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (JUA), Governor John … Read more

Drip. Drip. Drip. Slow but steady goes the decline…

 

 

Guest post by Karen Testerman

What Happened?

I have been pondering a question recently posed to me asking what happened to my state?  What is happening to our nation?  I was reminded – "My people perish for a lack of knowledge."   Hosea 4:6 But what knowledge?

Do you wonder why the polls of our youth today show a leaning in favor of homosexuality?   Perhaps we can find a glimpse of an answer here.  Just recently the National Education Association (NEA) passed an action item that amounts to an endorsement of same-sex marriage – as well as a call to oppose national laws protecting one man, one woman marriage.

The NEA is described as the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States,[1][2] representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become teachers.   And they the people who teach at our public schools, have just passed an action item to endorse same-sex marriage.

Jeralee Smith is the founder of the NEA Conservative Educators Caucus.  Jeralee declared that the resolution will not stop at just endorsing gay unions. 

The NEA, financially supported the attempt to defeat Proposition 8 in California last year. Voters passed Prop. 8, which defines marriage as between one man, one woman.

The teachers have two alternatives. . . Teachers who do not want their money being used to support the organization’s liberal agenda can attempt to become a religious objector – someone who can show that their faith puts them in conflict with what the union is doing. They can file to have at least some of their dues redirected to causes that do not conflict with their faith.  Oh really?  What about the recent legal cases challenging the teachers for religious expression?

A better alternative for these teachers is to join an alternative union that does not support causes that conflict with their deeply held beliefs and values. Tracey Bailey, director of education policy with Association of American Educators, said he wants teachers to know his group can also help with any legal issues.

But what can we as parents do?  How do we combat the "tolerance" mantra when we ask as did David Parker and Rob Wirthlin to opt our children out of these instructions?  Is it really legal to displace parents?

 

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Blogger mops floor with Peter Hoe Burling

Our friend Patrick Hynes made a rare public appearance, surfacing on Newsnine’s "Closeup NH" over the weekend in a "lightning" roundtable debate of the issues. Has Burling been hanging with the medical marijuana folks a little too much these days? Says Peter on the subject of tax caps: "Tax caps tend to fail pretty quickly because … Read more

Fourth of July. Are we even worthy?

New national bird to replace Bald Eagle?

As we prepare to celebrate yet another Fourth of July, I cannot help but feel a bit melancholy as I review and contemplate the Declaration of Independence, and think about the birth of this “great experiment”, known as America. Have we reached the end of the line, as far as our belief in and adherence to the principles upon which this Nation was founded? When reading the beautiful and eloquent words as created and agreed to by the Founding Fathers, how can you not feel a sense of distance and unfamiliarity when comparing them against the realities we see today.

Consider what is unquestionably the most famous part of the Declaration:

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…”

Are there any “self evident truths” and “unalienable rights” here in the new Age of Obama, or are these things just merely quaint, outdated ideas from a bygone era? Do these words somehow mean the “Creator” gives a woman the right to “terminate” pregnancies? As she exercises “choice,” what about the unborn child’s right to “life?” President Obama has famously declared that that he wouldn’t want his young daughters “punished” with a pregnancy. So much for the unalienable right to life for his grandchildren– Such a fine example set by our “dear leader.” What part of the Fourth does he honor?

In our supposed enlightened age, how many Americans even acknowledge some sort of “Creator,” anyway? While many claim to believe, they willingly turn a blind eye as the rights given us by the Creator are systematically stripped away—even to the point of a knowing chuckle or two at those who suggest that much of what our present government does is immoral. “What old-fashioned notions,” they say. “Don’t be so melodramatic.” One must conclude that if they actually believed in a God as a giver of rights to begin with, they would be more vehement in the defense of such. Think about that—why would a person go to the mat for something he or she doesn’t believe in?

Does “pursuing Happiness” give a person the right to the fruits of the labor of others? I suppose one could be happy with getting an extra “slice of the pie” that somebody else has paid for. But what if you happen to be the person that actually earned the “pie?” How happy will you be at the prospect of watching more and more of your just due taken and distributed to others? Is this not what’s happening on a grand scale all around America today? No matter where you look– whether it’s the federal, state, county, or local government—it’s all the same: all are poised to take an even greater share of the fruits of our labors through taxation. They say money can’t buy happiness, but it sure does help. No matter what consists of “happiness” for a person in 2009, the fact is, it’s going to cost more.

 

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GOP members of the NH House ready budget cuts

not going to listen

Dems taking GOP input?

At a press conference held yesterday, Minority Leader Sherm Packard, along with a large group of fellow NH House Republicans, released the following document outlining a proposed series of budget cuts totalling $181.9 million that they will introduce should the budget fail to pass today.

“House Republicans Offer Cost-Saving Budget Alternatives”

Concord-House Republican Leader Sherm Packard (Londonderry) stood with HB 1 & HB 2 Republican House Conferees today to discuss the impending budget vote and to propose  several alternatives.

“Representatives Kurk and Scamman offered several spending reductions in the conference committee budget, some were accepted and most were ignored,” stated Packard.  “The fact of the matter is that budgets across the country have seen an average 2% decrease in their state spending and the Democrat majority in Concord has increased state spending by an unconscionable 7.7%.”

“Republicans were not fully involved in this budget process and while a suggestion or two may have been accepted, there are no significant and meaningful cuts in state spending which would defer the need for the additional taxes and fees that Democrats added in the last hours of conference,” added Republican Conferee Representative Neal Kurk (Weare).

No less than a dozen fees were increased, in some cases doubled, with the implementation of several tax plans including tightening belts for LLCs, increasing the Rooms & Meals tax, increasing the tobacco tax for the fourth time in five years and adding a new tax on gambling winnings.

“I am disappointed by these tax and fee increases,” said Republican Conferee Alternate, Rep. Doug Scamman (Stratham).  “We hurt businesses and we hurt the cities and towns of our state.  This is not the New Hampshire way.”

Republicans will be offering a continuing resolution to keep state government going at a fiscally responsible level, should the massive spending and taxing increases contained in House Bills 1 & 2 fail to pass the House in session on June 24 and call on all their colleagues to support this plan. 

 Here are the specific proposed cuts:

 

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Signs ‘o the times?

    Well, perhaps, but only if the Republicans put up some REAL, electable candidates for the next election, if it’s not too late. Ones with the brass it will take to do the necessary work of undoing all the garbage that has been strewn across our once great state. Democrat-lite, as offered by the … Read more

Lynch lied. Marriage died.

Welcome to the Gay State. What’s next? An income tax? That’s all that’s left. Well, other than helmets and seatbelts. Big whoop.  

NH Senate Update by Jeb Bradley: Slots & Tax Hikes

slot machine

Time to Talk Taxes

Guest post by Senator Jeb Bradley

The Senate Finance Committee last week reported its version of the state operating budget.  It increases overall spending by about a billion dollars or approximately 10% after similar increases in the last budget enacted two years ago.  This budget depends upon $185 million of direct revenue from slot machines as well as hefty tax hikes on businesses in the middle of a deep recession.

Slot machines at race tracks in Salem, Seabrook, and Belmont is a proposal that has been around a long time. The Finance Committee approved up to 13,000 slot machines and two north-country facilities that are estimated to produce $185 million in revenue.  Gambling is not a partisan issue and has determined support because of the added revenue, and determined opposition because of social implications and the change in the fabric of our state it could create. I continue to have concerns about gambling.

While bettors may be laying long odds that gambling will ultimately pass, it is almost certain that taxes are going up.  These looming and precipitous tax hikes are due to the majority party in control of both the House and Senate which has shown no willingness to cut spending as families and businesses are doing to survive the harsh economy.

Here are the major tax proposals being bandied about in Concord:

 

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No matter how many times you try, some things cannot be “fixed”

  Our friends at Cornerstone Policy Research write: Late yesterday, Governor Lynch announced that he will SIGN the same-sex marriage bill if the House and Senate agree to make some changes, despite having told the New Hampshire public time and time again, that he opposes gay marriage. Governor Lynch has proposed a "cover" religious exemption … Read more

Welcome to the New Moral Order…

Guest Post by Representative Paul Ingabretson As we are carried full speed into the legitimization of homosexual marriage in New Hampshire those of us who have tried and failed again to resist find ourselves once again examining the direction in which we are now moving as a society.  Unless the Governor actually vetoes HB436 we … Read more

Guest Post: Turning NH Upside Down

upside doown

by Karen Testerman

According to Noah Webster, "The moral principles and precepts found in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws."  

Yet, today, the schools are a haven for forcing values instead of basics, and a worldview in contention with that of the original intent.  After a few generations this leads to a people who lack the knowledge and background to defend the Truth.

The 6-12 Project of GLAD (Gay Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) is but the latest focus in the quest to silence the defenders of morality.  Their goal is to force homosexual (counterfeit) marriage in all six New England states by 2012. 

Spurred on by their progress to gain acceptance in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Lee Swislow, GLAD Executive Director, stated, "We can make New England a marriage-equality zone by strategically combining existing legal, electoral and on-the-ground know-how to fast-track marriage in every New England State.  By 2012, we not only can have marriage equality throughout New England, we can have a road map for the rest of the country."

And, this is not just some small grassroots group hoping to do this, it is part of a well funded, multi-faceted plan that is in the game for the long haul.  A case in point is Tim Gill, an open homosexual and considered the number one funder and political strategist in the nation.  Frustrated by the lack of acceptance and change in the political climate achieved by using his donations to non-profit organizations, Quark software mogul, Tim Gill, organized a conference of supportive donors to strategically target state and local political races.  His goal is to produce more change in political make up of the policy makers at a fraction of the cost.  Beginning in his home state of Colorado, Gill took advantage of the libertarian political leanings to unseat strong pro-family legislators.  

According to a 2007 Time magazine article (pdf),

"Another formidable element of Gill’s power is his network of deep-pocketed allies in the mountain states. An hour south of Laramie, in Ft. Collins, lives medical equipment heiress Pat Stryker, who is, along with Gill, known in local political circles as one of "The Four Millionaires." (Actually, Stryker is a billionaire; her brother Jon is gay and both give generously to gay causes.) The two other members of the quartet are Bluemountain.com entrepreneur Jared Polis, who lives in Boulder, and Denver’s Rutt Bridges, who made his fortune in petroleum exploration and runs the Bighorn Center for Public Policy."

The "Four Millionaires" then stealthily began changing the political landscape over the next several election cycles to topple those strong pro-marriage legislators in several locations around the nation including New Hampshire, Iowa and Colorado, and flipping the political make up of the legislatures in those states. 

 

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Guest Post– An Open Letter to newly elected US Senator Jeanne Shaheen:

Senator Shaheen, As one of the coordinators of the recent tea party gathering in Manchester, I heard many comments about the price of gas and whether proposals in the president’s budget plan would cause fuel costs to increase.  I believe there is a good deal of concern among residents and small business owners in this … Read more

New ad asks Gov Lynch keep true to his word…

Today, CPR-Action in conjunction with the National Organization for Marriage launched the television ad, “Our Trust” aimed at  informing the viewer on where Governor Lynch has stood on the issue of same-sex ‘marriage’ throughout his tenure as Governor.  The ad shows a series of statements made by the Governor, including one from a debate in … Read more

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