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Political Incivility is Not the New Hampshire Way

Steve MacDonald

“Political Incivility is Not the New Hampshire Way” is the title of Jeanne Shaheen’s Op-Ed in the Morning Sunday News. I can only assume she is not familiar with her own State Democrat Party leadership, some of the people who have helped her get elected like Kathy Sullivan, and others; people who are on the record saying any number of uncivil things.

Democrats, Frat Boys, And Pimps, Oh My!

Steve MacDonald

So the democrats were prepared to shut it all down to defend one big, international rent seeker. To pigeonhole women’s health issues to sex parts and intercourse. And to defend a major campaign contributor (the abortion industry) at all costs? Using women’s vagina’s for cash? Doesn’t that make them a bunch of pimps?

Republican Change In New Hampshire

Steve MacDonald

NH State SealH/T to Patricia Wulfson for sending me this first.

“The New Hampshire House of Representatives received a mandate from the voters of this state to cut state spending; reduce taxes and fees; return fiscal sanity to the state; promote economic development and create jobs; mend a state retirement system that was nearing insolvency; provide our children with an education based on excellence; protect the personal rights and freedoms of its citizens; and maintain transparency in state government. Listed here is a compilation of legislation passed by the 2011 New Hampshire House of Representatives in response to that message that they received in November from the voters.

 

Trans-formative Change:

• Passed a constitutional amendment to require a super-majority in the House and Senate to raise taxes or borrowing. (CACR 6)

• For the first time in NH history, that included more that 50 attempts in the legislature, the House passed a constitutional amendment to expand local control of education funding by returning authority to elected officials, not unelected judges. (CACR 12) Setting an example for our citizens by “living within our means:”

• Passed a fiscally responsible budget that, (1) was balanced by using realistic revenue figures; (2) did not increase taxes or fees; (3) does not downshift onto local property taxpayers; and (4) does not increase borrowing, setting New Hampshire on a financially sustainable path will allow our economy to grow and create more jobs. (HB 1 & 2)

• Passed an education funding formula that maintains existing levels of aid to communities and allows additional targeted aid to needy cities and towns. (HB 337)

• Passed a bill to allow local communities to enact tax and spending caps. (HB 341) Moving our economy forward, creating more jobs and putting out the “Open for Business sign” in New Hampshire once again.

• Passed a small business tax cut to protect reasonable compensation from the business profits tax. (HB 557)

(more on the jump…)

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Picture of the Day 4-6-11

Steve MacDonald

From Patriot Post, (a few years back) this graphic was created for a T-Shirt commemorating another Clinton lie, this one from Hillary, about coming under fire in Bosnia. No one could corroborate the story, and at least one reporter contradicted it completely, as does the historical record outside the Clinton Library. At least she didn’t claim to be a veteran afterward

Body Of Proof

Steve MacDonald

I watched ABC’s ‘Body of Proof’ the other night Tuesdays at 10pm and if you would like the worlds quickest synopsis here it is.
“House” meets “Quincy” with a touch of the Mentalist.

Ask Ray & Kathy…About Incest

Steve MacDonald

Question: If consensual sex (without coercion) between any two adults is a protected right, (gay sex is defended on these grounds) does the state have a right to prohibit sex between adult relatives, regardless of how closely related?

Death To Rail (Bride Of RTA)

Steve MacDonald

This is what we call the tits-on-a-bull defense. Chris wants rail. There is no good reason for it, he just wants it. And he could care less that we already have infrastructure that works, that is more adaptable, and which costs significantly less to operate.

Who Missed The Vote? [updated]

Steve MacDonald

Someone asked…who didn’t vote on HB1 and HB2.  Who are these reps anyway?  OK, we’re here to deliver.  HB 1 here, HB 2 on the jump!

[update] So everyone knows, I am not passing judgment here, just posting the list.  Plenty of these folks will have been excused, or approved absences, even important or necessary business that kept them away or took them away from the State House.  Your job is verify the absences of your reps if they concern you, and if you are unable to find good cause, discuss it with them as time permits.

Only four democrats skipped the vote on HB 1 while  twenty six Republicans did not cast a vote.

House Rep Party County District Vote
Beattie, Thomas  Republican Hillsborough 17 Not Voting
Belanger, Ronald  Republican Rockingham 4 Not Voting
Brosseau, Charles  Republican Grafton 6 Not Voting
Coughlin, Sean  Republican Hillsborough 6 Not Voting
DeJong, Cameron  Republican Hillsborough 9 Not Voting
Dowling, Patricia  Republican Rockingham 5 Not Voting
Dwinell, Richard  Republican Cheshire 5 Not Voting
Eaton, Stephanie  Republican Grafton 1 Not Voting
Emerton, Larry  Republican Hillsborough 7 Not Voting
Flanders, Donald  Republican Belknap 4 Not Voting
Hawkes, Samuel  Democrat Cheshire 3 Not Voting
Hogan, Timothy  Republican Hillsborough 23 Not Voting
Hutchinson, Karen  Republican Rockingham 3 Not Voting
Huxley, Robert  Republican Hillsborough 3 Not Voting
Keane, Thomas  Republican Merrimack 13 Not Voting
Kingsbury, Robert  Republican Belknap 4 Not Voting
Larsen, Kirst
en 		 Republican Strafford 2 Not Voting
Moody, Marcia  Democrat Rockingham 12 Not Voting
Parison, James  Republican Hillsborough 3 Not Voting
Peckham, Michele  Republican Rockingham 13 Not Voting
Pelletier, Marsha  Democrat Strafford 5 Not Voting
Pepino, Leo  Republican Hillsborough 11 Not Voting
Quandt, Matt  Republican Rockingham 13 Not Voting
Roberts, Kris  Democrat Cheshire 3 Not Voting
Sapienza, Marie  Republican Rockingham 8 Not Voting
Simpson, Tyler  Republican Belknap 1 Not Voting
Souza, Kathleen  Republican Hillsborough 11 Not Voting
Stroud, Kathleen  Republican Hillsborough 19 Not Voting
Summers, James  Republican Hillsborough 26 Not Voting
Terrio, Ross  Republican Hillsborough 14 Not Voting

 

Click through for HB 2

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Candidate Obama Bullish on Oil?

Steve MacDonald

The Financial Times reports (free subscription) that the Obama White House is planning to call on oil companies to increase domestic production. In another Obama speech, today, the new plan is expected to focus on Oil, responsible natural gas, and a hot button for the left–when they claim to be in favor of drilling–forcing oil companies to use idle leases.

2012 Can’t Come Fast Enough

Steve MacDonald

The Sunday Union Leader had a letter to the editor titled "2012 can’t come fast enough."  It suggests that New Hampshire did not vote for a majority and leadership intent on stripping collective bargaining agreements from 70,000 New Hampshire workers…" which is a number I would contest given this data.  (Where we may be hiding 70,000 public sector union workers is a question worth exploring, but not right now.)

The author is Kevin Foley.  Kevin is a great guy.   We worked together at UPS for a number of years, he was a driver, and I was a package car loader–including his.  But Kevin has been a well paid union organizer with the Teamsters for years, as an IBT Business agent, and earns more than double the national average in income and compensation for the privilege. Kudos to Kevin for the sweet gig.  I bet he works hard for it.

Kevin has donated hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars to democrats and the local Teamster PAC–(Granite State Teamsters DRIVE) which supports the national union and democrat candidates in the state (one local example from NH S.o.S.); the same ones who grew state government, added public union employees, some of whose dues pay Kevin’s salary, and the same democrats who left us with a nearly one billion dollar budget deficit as a result.

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Prison Reform. Do We Need Some?

Steve MacDonald

Prison BarsI’ll admit it.  I have no idea what goes on in State Prisons, county jails, or local lock ups.  And I plan to keep it that way.  But two weeks ago I met the Sheriff of Bristol County Massachusetts and I was inspired.  Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has a few idea that remind me of my visit with Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County Arizona (here and here); a willingness to make incarceration just that. More like punishment, less like a gated country club.

Upon assuming the role of High Sheriff of Bristol County, Sheriff Hodgson immediately set out to implement his goals for corrections reform, public safety and raising the standards for the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.  He instituted structured disciplines for the inmate population and expanded the work release programs.

Approximately  three years ago Sheriff Hodgson gained international attention when he instituted the Tandem Work Crew, a strictly voluntary program for medium security inmates.  While initially controversial, the Tandem Work Crews continue to work in communities throughout the County.  He banned tobacco products for staff and inmates, removed televisions from cells, and donated weight-lifting equipment to police departments and the local Boys and Girls Club.    In July of 2002, in an attempt to offset severe budget cuts, Sheriff Hodgson instituted a $5.00 cost-of-care fee that every inmate is charged for each day they are incarcerated.  Programs affording educational opportunities, spiritual assistance and vocational aptitude have expanded at the House of Correction.

Prisoners should not have cable television, weights, or any creature comforts at all.

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