1. Govenor Lynch is the ONLY governor in the nation to sign a marriage equality bill that is in the law today and helping to form lasting, loving and committed relationships. This means everything to me and my family, as well as to many others who want to bring up their children in a state that honors the dignity of all families. (And, I'm proud to say, Hanover voted at its town meeting to affirm what Lynch did, by a vote of 141-6!!) The National Organization for Marriage and Cornerstone Research have been spending MILLIONS to defeat Lynch to punish him for standing up for marriage. They want to send the message loud and clear to all gubernatorial candidates in the nation that "if you sign a marriage equality bill, you will be targeted and you will be punished." Lynch knew this was coming. He knew he was painting the target on his own back, but signed the marriage bill anyway. And at the ceremony at which he signed the bill, he chastised the federal government for not doing what it should to guarantee equality. Would Lynch's GOP opponent Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
2. In his first term, while working against a Republican NH Legislature, Lynch vetoed a bill that would have outlawed college student voting in NH. He stood up for our students and for the fundamental right to vote. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
3. Governor Lynch won re-election in 2006 and 2008 by beating each of his Republican opponents by almost 50 points. Those long coattails helped usher in Democratic majorities in the NH House and Senate for the first time in our lifetimes. Would a Johnny Stephen victory help usher in Republican majorities? I shudder at the thought. They'd repeal every good thing we've done. Would a Governor Johnny Stephen be ready with his pen to sign all those repeals into law? You Betcha! (OK, I held my nose when I typed that!)
4. Governor Lynch signed the bill to increase the NH minimum wage for the first time in 10 years. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
5. Govenor Lynch signed laws to extend unemployment benefits to part-time workers and workers who left work to care for disabled family members. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
6. Governor Lynch worked to launch NH HealthFirst to help small business afford health insurance for their employees. He was looking out for the little guy, the worker struggling to make ends meet. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
7. Governor Lynch worked with our Democratic majorities to shore up the NH retirement system to protect workers' retirement after decades of Republican neglect and accounting gimmicks. Would Johnny Stephen do that, or would he work to de-fund the whole thing? What do you think?
8. Governor Lynch led the effort to recreate the Job Training Fund to help re-train unemployed workers. He focused not on big business, but on our friends who need that help. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
9. Governor Lynch created the Green Launching Pad to create green jobs in NH. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Does he even believe in global climate change? Of course not.
10. Governor Lynch strongly opposes "right to work" legislation, which we all know is just legislation to bust up the unions. Would Johnny Stephen do that? Of course not.
Do any of these ten reasons resonate with you? Do they all, like they do for me? If they do, put up a Lynch lawn sign in your yard, your window or your front porch. All you have to do is say yes. The Governor has been there for us. Let's be there for him. Lynch's victory only helps us win our victory.
Rep. David M. Pierce
|