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Posts By Steve Mac Donald

Let’s Ask Ray And Kathy

I have a question for Ray Buckley, current chairman of the New Hampshire Democrat party and Kathy Sullivan, former chairman of same. Is this voter intimidation or not?

Candidate Obama Bullish on Oil?

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

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?

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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Is This Discrimination?

From the nice folks at Yahoo News, we are asked to consider if screening applicants based on a past criminal record should be considered a form of discrimination? Employers, having a massive advantage in available workers, are coming under scrutiny for what might otherwise go unnoticed if there were not five potential employees for each available job–this according to Yahoo News. With so many people out of work any kind of screening becomes news-worthy. So screening out ex-cons may be discriminatory and a waste of natural resources.

Spoiled Brat Unions Don’t Want Parity – Again.

The measure states–if I understand it correctly–that if the union contract expires and has not been renewed, and no new contract is yet negotiated, those employees become at-will workers who can be treated (wait for it) like everyone else.

Teachers Get Help From Republicans

A bill (HB 375) is being debated in New Hampshire that, if passed, would protect teachers from civil or criminal penalties when they use physical force in the classroom. The bill is designed to protect teachers who feel helpless against aggressive students because they are afraid of being sued by parents.

Roll Call-palooza – Another Democrat Taxpayer Swindle

New Hampshire Democrats, who benefit from taxpayer money laundered through public employee union dues into their campaign, are spending taxpayer dollars in the legislature to make sure they have sound bites and talking points to give to their union buddies to ensure the Aztec gold continues to flow moving forward.

The End Of The “We Pay Taxes Too” Argument?

The only way it could ever be equal, is if we all paid the same taxes, and taxpayers paid nothing extra for benefits and retirement; you would have to fund pay all of your share of both at the same rates as the average private citizen.

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