Articles tagged as

Nanny State and Busybodies

First iron horses, now real ones. The nanny state continues apace…

A new revenue stream? Just got this from a reader and listener to the radio program: Help Guys! Are you aware of another bill our "leaders" are trying to put through?? HB 427 will require the municipal licensing of horses at $25 per animal with the ADDED bonus of HAVING to vaccinate your horse annually with a rabies shot.  Funny … Read more

Car Czar?

Chris Dodd Barney Frank

Obama 

Why would anyone really think the government can run the auto industry? Why can’t I help but to think about this when I think of the car they might bring to market:

Edsel

1959 Edsel

Or perhaps this?

Hitler VW

Have you ever heard the story of the "people’s car?" When I first heard all the talk of Congress somehow running and/or managing the US automobile manufacturing industry, and that Chris Dodd and his comrades were publicly stating which private business employees should stay and which should go, I had to hit my library archives for a story of a similar (in some ways) happening some sixty-odd years ago. From William L Shirer’s "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich":

One particular swindle perpetrated by Hitler on the German workers deserves passing mention. This had to do with the Volkswagen (the "People’s Car")– a brainstorm of the Fuehrer himself. Every German, or at least every German workman, he said, should own an automobile, just as in the United States. Heretofore in this country where there was only one motorcar for every fifty persons (compared to one for every five in America) the workman had used a bicycle or public transportation to get about. Now Hitler decreed that a car should be built for him to sell for only 990 marks– $396 at the official rate of exchange. He himself, it was said, took a hand in the actual designing of the car, which was done under the supervision of the Austrian automobile engineer Dr. Ferdinand Porshe.

Followed by this:

 

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“Death Spiral”

This story of Wahkiakum County by Paul Jacobs in his latest column at Townhall.com in a way sounds like the future of our county, except you can substitute the nursing home and a myriad of social service agencies in place of the clinic discussed in the piece. It further adds to the mix pretty much all the … Read more

A tale of two citi(zens)…

Unless, of course, you’re one of THEM… So I’m reading the caselog report of the local (Laconia, NH) district court in last Saturday’s Citizen newspaper and I came across this: Christopher A Gibbs, 29 of Mudget Hill Road, Loudon, pleaded guilty to reckless conduct for allegedly driving in a sleep-deprived state, resulting in an accident on South Barnstead … Read more

Too bad ’bout yer doggies. Really. But it was, you know, “justified…”

Regular readers know that the rise of quasi-public "special operations groups" (SWAT teams) within the Granite State law enforcement community has caught our attention. In this prior post about a raid in Bristol, NH involving some 20 masked police officers, I mentioned two other recent events involving, what is in my opinion, an overwhelmingly excessive … Read more

Band of brothers… “Law? Fine for thee, but not for me…”

How many times have you heard someone say this? "If you get in an accident, and you know you’ve been drinking, go someplace close by and, in view of many witnesses, proclaim how distraught you are from the event and pound several stiff drinks. THEN, go back to the scene." And of course, the thought … Read more

Masked cops? Not good…

cop wear

To protect and serve?

For many years, visitors to my former business location might have noticed a picture on the wall– torn from a newspaper– of a “police” checkpoint in Serbia. What captured my interest was the caption telling the reader that the picture was of a “police volunteer” manning an urban checkpoint in the early days of the gradual anarchy that was to come in that country. It always struck me that this so-called policeman, finger on trigger, had an AK47 in the nostril of some hapless guy at the wheel of his Honda Civic, and was, according to the caption, checking his identification papers.

The poor fellow in the car, aside from the fact he had the muzzle of a machine gun literally stuck in his face, looked like he could have been your average American thirty-something on his way to work at the office. In fact, the background of the photo looked like it could have been downtown Anywhere, USA, even including a uniformed police officer in the square directing traffic. Except, more striking than all of the elements of the scene, was the fact that this “policeman,” dressed entirely in black, was wearing a ski mask. “Not good,” I always thought, when looking at the picture.

That picture hung stapled to the old shop wall for years, and many conversations were held about it. When events like the Elian Gonzalez seizure and the Branch Davidian raid took place, parallels were drawn. As it turned out, most that viewed the old picture agreed, if we ever come to a point when the police here in the States were to start wearing ski masks to hide their identities during the conduct of their duties, things would be getting pretty bad. Thankfully though, we were in America, where such things could never happen, right?

According to documents filed at the U.S. District Court in Concord, NH at the end of July, a family from Grafton County is suing for a series of civil rights violations that allegedly occurred during an early morning raid of their Bristol apartment.

“On August 2, 2006, twenty (20) members of the CNHSOU”

(Central NH Special Operations Unit) and three members of

“the Bristol Police Department, executed an arrest and search warrant at 36 South Main Street, Bristol, New Hampshire. The residence was occupied by Thomas Mlodzinski, his wife Tina Mlodzinski, their 15 year old daughter JM, Tina Mlodzinski’s son, Michael Rothman, and Michael’s girlfriend Amy Furmanic and their two week old daughter.”

The filing states,

“Police were seeking to arrest Michael Rothman, who was then 17 years old, for assault and were looking for a baton (night stick) allegedly used in the assault. The warrants authorized the arrest of Michael Rothman only and the search of the residence and the person of  Michael Rothman only.”

If you’re like me, you should be wondering why it would take TWENTY-THREE law enforcement officers to arrest a seventeen year old. He must have been heavily armed or something, right? Apparently not— nor were any of those sleeping in the apartment, either.

The lawsuit details the events as they unfolded just before 4 in the morning two years ago:

 

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We’re from the government and you think we’re here to do WHAT?

And you thought government was here to SERVE… There was a story in all the papers over the weekend about the end of "trashcan mail" for summer residents of an island off the coast of Maine. SUTTON ISLAND, Maine—The U.S. Postal Service has ended a decades-old tradition in which mail was delivered to this small … Read more

Welfare Reform after Ten Years: New Hampshire Fails to “End Welfare as We Know it”

welfare

Our friend Karen Testerman at Cornerstone Policy Research sends the following sad news about opportunity lost here in the Granite State:

New state-by-state survey ranks, grades states by the success
of their anti-poverty efforts and by the reform policies they adopted

When President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, he gave the states unprecedented flexibility in implementing welfare reform.

Elected officials and human services professionals in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia most successfully seized the opportunities provided by the new law, developing thoughtful reform policies and integrating services needed to help millions of former welfare recipients move into the workplace.

But New Hampshire was less ambitious, failing to take advantage of opportunities available to improve effectiveness at the state level.

Welfare Reform After Ten Years: A State-by-State Analysis, released by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Heartland Institute, ranks the 50 states and the District of Columbia, grading them by the success of their anti-poverty efforts and by the reform policies they adopted.

New Hampshire earned a grade of F, as did Colorado, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The state trimmed its welfare rolls between 1996 and 2006 by just 43 percent, while the national average of all states fell by 68 percent, to 4.1 million recipients from 12.2 million.

Overall, New Hampshire posted the fourth-worst effort at reform in the nation. It ranked near the bottom for results (49th) and for its reform policies (39th).

 

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train-wheels close up Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay

Ridin’ the rails. Clickety Clack…

“I’ve been workin’ on the railroad, All the live long day. I’ve been workin’ on the railroad, Just to pass the time away. Don’t you hear the whistle blowing? Rise up so early in the morn. Don’t you hear the captain shouting ‘Dinah, blow your horn?’”

Quaint words from a bygone era, no doubt. Unfortunately, not everybody leaves the choo-choos back in the memories of childhood long ago. Oh no, there are those, especially politicians, that can’t keep trains a fond remembrance. They feel the need to play with trains, and therefore, they end up with the ultimate set, all funded with OUR money. That’s right- we really ARE workin’ for the railroad, only, you probably didn’t know it, and Dinah isn’t in your kitchen cooking up some grub, and, sadly, there’s no one strummin’ on that ole banjo…

But seriously, there they go again—the railroad promoters, that is. As sure as the seasons change, they’re coming at us for our support—and money—for their long-held dreams of restoring rail service here in New England, looking to return it to its once-mighty seat at the top of our transportation system. To me, this is all well and good, except it doesn’t work out here in the country. I’ve long maintained that public transportation—especially rail-based— works in urban areas, and works well. Here in the sticks, not so. There’s a reason why rail fell out of favor with the advent of the modern automobile and truck, along with America’s awesome Interstate Highway System: FREEDOM.

The ability to go where we want, whenever we want, and with who we want is something that people have long recognized and appreciated. Until now, that is. With gas prices where they are, there are undoubtedly those thinking about trading their individual ride for so-called “public” transportation. Not me. They’ll have to pry the steering wheel from my cold, dead fingers. Count me as one American who is still mired in the midst of a love affair with my automobile.

The July 14th Laconia Daily Sun carried a story (page 3) that stated,

“Given the high gas prices and the public’s desire for more transportation choices, New Hampshire’s rail enthusiasts are displaying ‘I think I can’ optimism when it comes to expanding passenger train service.”

The piece went on to announce a gathering of “rail advocates” that took place last week

“to discuss how increased passenger rail service could accelerate the state’s economy.”

Ooooh, doesn’t that sound exciting? And you just know it’s a good idea because, guess who’s pushing it? None other than that great and all-knowing leader that makes one immediately think of innovation and success: Michael Dukakis. I know what you’re thinking, “But Doug, Michael DUKAKIS? You mean the same guy that was the Governor of Massachusetts?” Yes, indeed. THAT Michael Dukakis.

Again from the Sun article:

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Helping to make certain things in “life” more affordable for the children. How sweet!

When I visited the Post Office today here in beautiful bucolic Gilford, NH, this is what greeted me, tacked to the bulletin board near the wanted posters:

Killing Babies with tax $$

Note the handy "tear sheets" a girl could conveniently keep in her purse, you know, "in case":

number for murder

Notice this:

teen services

Of course, "emergency contraception" is another term for the abortion pill. Yep– the teen "family planning" includes abortions. Surely they would arrange for a more "tradional" type if "needed"…
And of course, it’s really good because the "services" are made to be affordable for those trying to live on a teenager’s salary:
teen bargains!

 

Especially when they want to keep Mom & Dad out of the loop…
Family Values? Not!
And guess who’s paying for this, or at least making it affordable? Sadly, I was not surprised:

 

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Amendment to CACR 34: Language only a budding despot could love.

Government Approved Edukashun Former State Representative Paul Mirski sends the following warning: RE: Proposed [Public Education] Amendment to CACR 34 There is a reason why there is no language in New Hampshire’s original 1784 constitution concerning the teaching of curriculum in schools.  It is because the writers of the constitution and their constituents were the … Read more

The truth about the mortgage “crisis”

This video really nails it. It’s by AngryRenter.com, who ask people to sign their petition here. While it focuses on renters, the point made is applicable to people like me and many others that live in modest little homes within our means. We save so the government can take it? It just doesn’t seem right… … Read more

Butts, Bulbs, and the Family Truckster. And we claim to be a liberty loving people?

Family Truckster

Satire.

truckster redux?

Reality, as dictated by government?

Smoked any good cigarettes, lately? No, really—have you smoked any GOOD cigarettes lately? If you’re like most smokers I know here in New Hampshire, the honest answer is “no.” While I am not a smoker myself, I admit I do have a bit of sympathy for the plight of those who do. By now many of us have grown accustomed to seeing hapless smokers, thanks to government rules and regulations, huddled outdoors in the elements seeking to gain some small amount of pleasure in the simple act of having a smoke.

It was bad enough to have to watch them relegated to standing in the wind, the rain, and the cold as if being punished. Now, again thanks to the government, it’s even worse, as the damn things don’t even stay lit– even in the absence of foul weather. As Granite State smokers all know, beginning last October, New Hampshire joined several other states in requiring that all cigarettes sold be self-extinguishing or “fire safe.” Such cigarettes are wrapped in special ultra-thin paper with “speed bump” bands that inhibit burning unless a smoker draws in air. What this does is basically require a smoker quickly hyperventilate it down to the butt, or continuously re-light numerous times for a single cigarette.

I don’t know of a single person who smokes that actually thinks this was a good idea. But what the consumer thinks is of no matter to an ever-growing nanny-state government. “But Doug, it will save lives! Why, according to statistics, unattended cigarettes cause somewhere in the neighborhood of seven to eight hundred deaths per year nationally! Surely you care about them?” That may be, but what is that number compared to the total number of persons that do smoke? And of those that do suffer and die from such tragedies, how many will simply find some other way to be careless enough to cause themselves harm? For these, statistically a small percentage of the total group that chooses to smoke cigarettes, we are mandating products that would never be wanted by its consumers, given a choice?

Retailers here in the “Live Free or Die State” that are found to be violating the law face civil fines of up to $1,000 per sale depending on the number of cigarettes sold. Selling products people would choose to buy, given their druthers? VERBOTEN!

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But they made the trains run on time…

Nobody disputes the fact that the National Socialists ruling Germany in the Thirties till the mid- Forties weren’t anything, if not efficient. Despite that, you don’t find many folks who would define that regime as "good" in any sense of the word. By now, everybody’s heard of the recent Pew Center study ranking the Granite … Read more

About that Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit proposal…

M/S Mount Washington
M/S Mount Washington: The biggest wake of all?
.
old boat.kayaking on Lake Winnipesaukee
Enjoying the Lake. No speed limit needed!
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With the House scheduled to take up the boat speed limit bill targeting Lake Winnipesaukee tomorrow, a regular ‘Grok reader submitted the following:
I’m a little surprised that it is taking so long for the NH Legislature to pass the boating speed limit law. This cast of characters seems to put a high priority in passing new laws that strip NH citizens of their freedoms. What’s next? Will it be safety belt laws, helmet laws, Big Mac hamburgers, alcohol, carbon limits, or whatever else they can think of? No matter what’s your pleasure in life, sooner or later they’re coming after you.
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It would be one thing if the need for a boating speed limit would actually change any of the problems they claim exist. There are zero facts to support that speeding boats are a problem on the lake but I suppose if you say it enough times it becomes the perceived truth. In a recent lengthy tome in the Citizen newspaper, a writer claims that speeding boaters were deterred by officials all over the lake with radar guns. In reality, the officials confined themselves to just few spots. I would be very surprised if many boaters even knew about or witnessed any officials clocking their speed. 
.  

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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

Baby doesn’t get what he wants from his nanny (state).

nanny state
.
I was most amused by the news of the most recent tantrum thrown by one of the Lakes Region’s biggest crybabies, socialist David Stamps. "GASP! Doug– you just called him a…. socialist! That’s pretty harsh." Maybe, but here in these parts, he is the classic case study of a socialist in action. Before you move along, thinking this to be a local story, which it certainly is, keep in mind that there’s people just like this in every town, city, and hamlet in America (unfortunately).
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First, the news– Mr. Stamps was among the founders of one of these taxpayer black holes known as the "Main Street" program that cropped up in many locales some years back. You know the drill– taxpayers $$ used to fund more bureacratic positions and "gimme jobs" under the guise of "marketing". In Laconia, (which kicked in twenty grand a year of local property taxes raised on top of the "grant" monies) it was used mostly in the promotion of events that always seemed to have underlying, liberal social engineering themes like "multicultural day." When the city wanted Harley Davidson Corp. to set up shop in the downtown area during the annual Race & Rally Week, guaranteed to bring folks in for a visit, the Main Street group, for all intents and purposes, opposed it. Better to have the gay, lesbian, and transgendered crowd and antiwar peaceniks than a bunch of bikers with wallets full of money in town for Motorcycle Week…
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Well, the gig is up. Whoever was pushing the "Main Street Program" up the foodchain for some reason has pulled the plug on the free ride. Local groups, instead of recieving a good deal of taxpayer largesse from on high, must now reverse direction and PAY to belong. Probably some politicians started really paying attention to the bloated system that could not possibly justify its existence much longer, and figured they might face some heat from the taxpayers. Heh! It was good while it lasted.
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Apparently, Mr. Stamps didn’t get the memo. As if on cue, Stamps, like all good socialists, thinks it can be made to work, if only the pesky unbelievers would just let them be. More time. More people. MORE MONEY!!! The Citizen (Laconia, NH) has the details:
Less than six years ago, the Laconia Main Street program was launched amid great hopes for revitalizing the downtown economically while preserving its past.
.
But now, short of volunteers, money and with accusations that some city officials do not support it, the program is in an uncertain place that became even more undefined on Wednesday when David Stamps, its co-founder and president, said he is stepping down from the program’s Board of Directors.
While the paper is somewhat kind, what happened is that Mr. Stamps submitted his resignation by e-mail, berating Laconia’s elected and hired leaders. Why? Cuz he didn’t get his way… poor baby! The powers that be in Laconia, liberal as they are, don’t hold a candle to Stamps when it comes to the pro-socialist positions. To the absolute horror of Mr. Stamps and others of his ilk, the city has decided, rather than spend the bucks on hired apparatchiks to hold events nobody would possibly want to attend, that promoting capitalism is instead the way to go. Bwahahaha!
 

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