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Granite Staters Ahead of State Pols on Seat Belt Law

by: Dean Barker

Sun Feb 22, 2009 at 07:39:34 AM EST
In my last post on this, I wrote:
Obligatory seat belt use in cars is a societal norm in the United States of America.  At some time in the future a tipping point will be reached where it will seem freakish to a majority of Granite Staters that we are behind that curve.
Well, is two-thirds a tipping point?  Those are the numbers Andy Smith is citing (FWIW) in a new poll:
This month's poll showed that 64 percent of New Hampshire adults support a mandatory seatbelt law. Democrats, women and folks who are relatively new to the state are most likely to back such a new law; Republicans, men, folks under 29, families that make less than $30,000 and the unmarried are most likely to oppose, according to an analysis by the Survey Center's Andy Smith and Tracy Fowler.

The same poll (which surveyed 619 New Hampshire adults) found that 68 percent of adults say they always buckle up (6 percent never do). Of the fickle bucklers, 64 percent said they would wear it more if they were legally required to.
Dean Barker :: Granite Staters Ahead of State Pols on Seat Belt Law
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Granite Staters Ahead of State Pols on Seat Belt Law | 14 comments
Public ahead of not all pols, just ahread of House Republicans (0.00 / 0)
The House passed the seatbelt bill last week on a rollcall vote.

House Democrats overwhelmingly voted with the people on this. Republicans, not unexpectedly, did not.

And Andy Smith is credible on this issue, why? (4.00 / 1)
It's really not a good idea to believe what we like and disbelieve what we don't like.
Note the "FWIW" in the post, hannah. (0.00 / 0)
The sample is too small, but on this the other usual complaint I have with him, party id non-weighing, doesn't matter for the question.  

birch, finch, beech
[ Parent ]
For the Acronym Impaired (0.00 / 0)
I'm guessing FWIW is "for what it's worth", but it took me a second looking at that one. I think it's fair to have missed that.
[ Parent ]
This Made Me Think Of A Quote (0.00 / 0)
"Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth" - Gandhi

The percentages may matter in terms of politics, but it should not matter in terms of policy.  

Be careful :-) (0.00 / 0)
That kind of thinking was used explicitly by Bush to justify all kinds of policy, such as keeping us involved in Iraq despite clear polling that it was unpopular.

birch, finch, beech
[ Parent ]
True Enough, Thanks Dean! (4.00 / 1)
It's a balance.

A person can't believe in something so much that you've got blinders on; but if they only believe in what is popular then they really don't believe in anything.

[ Parent ]
And where is the Governor on this bill? (0.00 / 1)
Once again, he is hiding and using his "I haven't thought or read about it excuse." He made up his mind very quickly on the Commissioner Brothers indictment. What's taking so long Governor Lynch? Show some leadership, show some spine, show us something.
Attitude (0.00 / 0)
You attitude towards Gov. Lynch is very insulting.

First off, LOOK IT UP. The Governor does have a position on a mandatory seat belt laws. You can search for it yourself, try Google.

Secondly, if you continue to do your research before you insult our Governor for being "spineless", you will know that the House passed a seatbelt law last year, and the Senate killed it, it never made it to the Governors desk, so why would the Governor speak out on a Bill that may not even get to his desk, once again because it might be killed in the Senate.

[ Parent ]
Actually it is your attitude that is insulting and condescending (0.00 / 0)
Please do your homework before you criticize me. I did look it up:

From today's Capital Beat: "Gov. John Lynch said last week that he supports wearing seatbelts but had not decided on the bill, saying he hadn't even had a chance to read it yet because he's been spending so much time on the budget."

From today's Landrigan: "Lynch has stayed mum on the legislation, and like banning smoking in restaurants and setting speed limits on the lakes, it has become a politically correct form of government regulation. Adding to Lynch's discomfort if he were to come out in opposition would be that the legislation has broad support from the insurance and health-care industries. Does that mean he wants the bill to reach his desk? Not likely."

And from Thursday's original AP article: "On Wednesday, Gov. John Lynch continued his four years of public silence on if he would sign or veto a mandatory seat belt bill."

[ Parent ]
Don't abuse the ratings system n/t (4.00 / 2)

[ Parent ]
In case you miss it Sean (4.00 / 4)
What Elwood meant to say is Swopes comment is not troll worthy.

Hope > Fear




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[ Parent ]
Yes - (0.00 / 0)
That appeared to be a classic example of using a troll rating because of disagreement.
[ Parent ]
This: (0.00 / 0)
so why would the Governor speak out on a Bill that may not even get to his desk, once again because it might be killed in the Senate.

Governors speak in support or lack of for all kinds of bills.  This is the bully pulpit if the executive branch in action.  Or they don't speak at all on purpose to show they are not invested in winning credit or blame on a given issue.

It is as common as milk.

Look at civil unions.  Lynch signed it, which is what matters most of all.  But that landmark will not be part of his legacy, because he chose not to take a leading role.  Instead the glory will go to Jim Splaine and others.


birch, finch, beech

[ Parent ]
Granite Staters Ahead of State Pols on Seat Belt Law | 14 comments

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