Downshifting

Hey, they are only people, (4.00 / 2)

and they certainly do not have enough money to be interesting to these thugs.  And I am quite aware that my life, needs and future are of no interest to them either.  But yesterday afternoon I was at the Strafford Dems picnic in Barrington, and there were a bunch of people there were are very interested in my life, needs and future.  Their names were Carol, Maggie, Jackie, Jeff, Terie, Bob...and others.  Why are they interested?  Because they are Democrats and that's what we do.  Why are they Democrats?  Because they care about others, and believe that our community of citizens is their responsibility.  

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 06:09:41 AM CDT

Yes, well, that's the crux of the problem. Conservatives have no (3.50 / 2)

sense of time.  At most, the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day and that as each hour passes, it is gone forever, is a nuisance they prefer to ignore.
People who live in the ineffable present, cannot plan ahead.  They are essentially in a reactive mode.  What they don't like, they destroy. Indeed, they even destroy what they like, because their sense of power is more pleasurable than any other.

power = destruction

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by: hannah @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 06:17:53 AM CDT

Listening to the Democratic candidates (0.00 / 0)

speak at the Strafford County Dems picnic yesterday, I heard public servants asking for help to work for a better future for NH and our country.  Most were thinking long term.  And most of all, they believe that our government is us, not some outside, mysterious "them" who trample on us, although that's a great description of the GOP!  

The only sour note I heard was Andrew Hosmer blaming "Congress" for our difficulties, and Carol Shea Porter put him gently straight, reminding him that there are good people in Congress fighting hard, sometimes against great odds, for us, and that the problem is almost exclusively the GOP.  I couldn't agree more with her that we need to chose our words with care, because otherwise we risk throwing out the baby with the bath water, getting rid of good public servants who we may never be able to replace because who would want to run to serve a people who unthinkingly toss them when they get frustrated.  

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by: Lucy Edwards @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:23:27 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

hmmm (3.00 / 1)

voters in 2010 threw the Democrats out of control of Congress for a reason. They felt or were persuaded to feel that we weren't getting it done, however that is defined, and whomever deserves the blame. Lucy You are a devoted supporter. Huzzah! I don't agree though in terms of what you call a sour note. We weren't solving the housing crisis, though created by Bush it was getting worse, we weren't solving the crisis in Healthcare to the voters satisfaction, and we weren't addressing the cost of higher edumacation no matter who was at fault. And good jobs? Not to be found for working stiffs. Jobs were sent overseas on a bill and program passed by Congress, signed by Bill Clinton, as much as we loved him.

I think both sides failed their constituents miserably the last decade or so, in the fact that corporations and the monied 'interest' have taken back over. I blame the current campaign finance system as per Larry Lessig.My plan would be to tax the rich, make them pay for the right to steal,because they are the only ones left with any money... jes' sayin.

One more thing about the Congress, they threw womens' rights under the bus.

I agree with the voters. Someone was asleep at the switch during the Bush years, culminating with the Banking crisis...so the voters felt "throw them all out and start over". I think they still feel this way, because our country is way fucked up. I am looking at this from the point of the voters who show up, not from your p.o.v. Lucy, or Carol's.

There is a reason that our young President's approval is at an all time low, and that Congress is even lower. We are treading water....half filled promises, half measures...we needed an FDR, with a Congress that will pass legislation to get Americans back to work. It didn't in the last Congress, and it isn't still. If the main job of our government is to better the lives of it's citizens, it has failed us miserably, so there is always room for improvement. No one owns the voters, that is clear.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 07:07:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

and the delicious irony (4.00 / 1)

wasn't it Carol who had the DTrip pushing Jim Craig down the voters throats, and wasn't it that, that she was rightly able to frame as Washington interfering in the voters of NH's decisions ??? Of course it was. She rode it to her first Primary victory. So when DWS boosted Carol's candidcay at the convention, is that any different as far as DC interference in the choices of 1st CD voters ? It was an off note politically, easily understand from a friend with whom she served. I get that. Devils advocate signing off....

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 10:45:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, congress is a problem. There's still a coterie of petty potentates (4.00 / 1)

whose longevity lets them rule, instead of serve. And Democrats, but not seriously contesting incumbents are also responsible.  However, 2010 saw 59 freshmen enter the house.  19 of the people who were replaced had been there longer than 10 years. Some of the newcomers are clueless and just as self-centered as those they replaced and bent on obstructing everything because the powers they expected to find simply aren't there.
Will the crazies be retained?  Not likely. Republicans are reaping the whirlwind they have sown through four decades.  They degraded the federal government on purpose, perhaps under the mistaken impression that, if local control could be restored, the traditional poohbahs would flourish. The federal commitment to individual human rights really sticks in their craw.

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by: hannah @ Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 12:38:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

there are a few differences (4.00 / 1)

In 2006, Carol Shea-Porter was a terrific candidate with strong supporters.  (In 2012, she is even more terrific.)  Jim Craig is a wonderful man, and he would have been a valuable addition to the US Congress--- but the DCCC made the wrong choice when they picked him over Carol.  

Jim Craig had many good qualities, but he wasn't (and still isn't) a former member of Congress. In 2012, Carol is a former two-term Congresswoman, who was very effective during those two terms.  That makes a big difference.

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 13:22:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

so do the voters Tim (0.00 / 0)

I admit perhaps I am guilty of being a bit unforgiving when my Carol friends carp about Annie, her fundraising and strong support. Both seat are in play. The difference, and why Annie has no competition? Polling results. They create an opening for Carol's CD-1 opponents in the Primary. If the election were held today, Frank, as poor a Congressman as he is, looks like he would win a walk.

A primary is good for the party and the district, but I also think Washington types should let the activists and voters speak. Carol was a great Congressperson. So was Paul Hodes. The Rethugs spent millions to discredit them both and tie them to Nancy Pelosi. It worked. It was lies, obfuscation, and quite scurrilous but it worked. No one is saying Paul should run for Congress even though he beat a 6 termer...

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 14:55:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Exactly Correct (0.00 / 0)

The day after Obama's election, I was in Manch to help "tidy up." A key staffer was musing with some interns. The line I remember was, "Now WE are the establishment."

CSP is great, ... yada-yada.

She is no longer an outsider challenging the "system." Her supporters are intolerant of any message that challenges her trajectory.

Yes, delicious irony.

"Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors." - John Dryden

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 09:54:39 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I would support her anyway... (0.00 / 0)

I would support Carol anyway; in addition to being a great Congressswoman, she is an old and loyal family friend.  

I will still say that her two challengers are not doing anything which would make me want to support them for the CD1 nomination.  They are both nice people, they both have good track records, and they are both very capable of serving the people of NH with distinction--- BUT their campaign strategies are absurd.  You can't beat Frank Guinta with a wishy-washy middle-of-the-road message. (No one does wishy-washy better than Frank.)  You can't beat Frank Guinta by highlighting your ties to the NHDP establishment.  You can't beat Frank Guinta by apologizing for being a liberal. What you need to beat him is a strong, indedendent, forthright, progressive message- which is the message Carol Shea-Porter delivers loud and clear every day,

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 10:25:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Metrics? (4.00 / 1)

No one is arguing the qualities and characteristics, except you.

Bresler pointed out the irony. I blurted, "Amen!"


"Ill writers are usually the sharpest censors." - John Dryden

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 10:34:26 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

And more downshifting... (4.00 / 1)

This post is really about the kids - important on its own - but under the heading of downshifting, I offer pension contributions as Exhibit 2:

In 2011, the state contributed 25% of local government pension costs and that's now gone to zero, even though costs have gone up as a result of poor pension fund management.  Even with other changes, including employees paying more, the state's contribution is $41 million lower and the communities' is $50 higher.  

This comes from a detailed and subtle analysis by the New Hampshire Public Policy Center (  http://www.nhpolicy.org/report... )

What other documentable examples do people have?

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by: Bill Duncan @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 08:30:39 AM CDT

To a large extent, the "smaller government" mantra is very literal. (0.00 / 0)

Conservatives have their eye on local governments because at that level the disposition of resources and assets (to benefit their friends) is easier to control.  When local governments have to bond infrastructure, the local banker has an opportunity to recommend a broker.  When local governments have to set up pension funds, the local stock broker gets to collect a referral or management fee.
Conservatives consider the public purse as their treasure trove.  When federal funds are distributed as grants, they feel deprived of their fair share. The public is like a cow which exists solely to be milked.

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by: hannah @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 09:44:10 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes. (0.00 / 0)

The dowmshifting there will be felt come town meeting time.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 16:25:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That downshifting goes further. (0.00 / 0)

Costs have gone up as a result of an unfunded liability created primarily when the GOP-led legislature decided back in the 90's to start intentionally underfunding the NH Retirement System by giving employers an artifically low contribution rate (at times as low as 2%).

To reduce the unfunded liability, employer contributions were increased over a 30-year repayment schedule. Should the market start skyrocketing, those higher contributions will be reduced when the pension reaches a higher level of funding.

It should also be noted that the legislature further increased the size of the unfunded liability this year by mandating that the retirement system use outdated information when calculating the rate of return on their investments - preventing the NHRS Trustees from fulfilling their fiduciary duty.

The NHRS filed a lawsuit over this towards the end of the legislative session. The legislature responded by gutting employee representation on the NHRS board, the Executive Council gave things a push by refusing to fill certain employee representative positions on the NHRS Board.

Unsurprisingly, the new board (with minimal employee representation) rolled back the more conservative growth projections (which would have cost towns more), and just recently dismissed their lawsuit against the legislature which claimed that the legislature illegally interfered with the NHRS board's ability to fulfill their fiduciary duty.

The downshifting to families of public employees is a sizeable chunk of income that's no longer going into the local economy, in the name of artifically lowering property tax rates.

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by: dooper @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 22:48:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bang bang, another nail in the "Liberty" coffin (0.00 / 0)

I hate to hear these sad and inevitable stories, but perhaps the silver lining in the cloud is this [inspired by Kanye West]:

"The tea party hates people."

This movement will self-destruct when the number of of people it has screwed reaches critical mass.

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by: DianeR @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 12:55:20 PM CDT

New Hampshire advantage (0.00 / 0)

THE REAL NH ADVANTAGE IS    

WE NEVER HAVE RICH PEOPLE  HELP PAY THE FREIGHT

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by: tchair @ Mon Sep 26, 2011 at 16:11:01 PM CDT