Paraphrasing Governor Lynch's Inaugural

So you liked it? n/t (4.00 / 2)

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by: JimC @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 19:39:42 PM CST

So, No... (0.00 / 0)

So, no...I was honestly incredibly disappointed with Mr. Lynch.  It's not enough to BE a Democrat.  Ya gotta DO Democrat. He has absolutely no intention of doing anything that might test his popularity.  He is going to split our Party, he he hasn't already done so.  

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by: robsprague @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 19:51:02 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Interesting (0.00 / 0)

I agree in principle with DOING Democrat. My position is close to Elwood's, Lynch is a real Democrat. Beyond that I can't say much, I haven't followed him day-to-day except on BH.

But blog on ...
 

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by: JimC @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 19:56:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

He Did NOT (0.00 / 0)

John Lynch did NOT say all that.  Or did he?  Good job of critical thinking, Rob.  I like John Lynch for the good things, but I do think we have a long way to go to be the best state in the nation in a lot of what we do, because a lot of people are hurting and we have a responsibility to them.  Democrats have to act like Democrats during the next two years, or our supporters won't be enthused enough to return Democrats to office.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 19:53:30 PM CST

Its the Taxes stoopit (0.00 / 0)

Rob tell me what Bill you would author to bring in da true Democratic noise and Democratic funk, and how many votes it would get in Concord ? Take the personal attack on Lynch out of the equation and tell me what you would do, no magic wand in hand. Its easy to spout from the sidelines, I've heard it forever from ardent supporters of Tax Fairness that I know and love. I agree in principle, but it has never mustered more votes than Arnie Arnesen when she ran for Governor, or Mark Fernald when he ran. Roughly its a 60-40 split at the ballot box against on that. I think it is fair to say that the institution of an Income Tax is not popular amongst NH voters. John Lynch worked for Gov. Gallen, and learned NH Politics from watching him in action. There was no Democrat in the corner office from the time Gallen lost his re-election to Meldrim Thompson in 1982, until Jeanne Shaheen took the Pledge and won in 1996.

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 20:28:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Silly Bad man (0.00 / 0)

Don't you know how thrilling it is, the glory of falling on the sword of our own principles.

The Greeks right poe'ems 'bout dat shit, yo!

Whack-a-mole, anyone?

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 20:33:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not a Republican problem, not a Democratic problem, (4.00 / 4)

It's an American Problem.

The markets are suffering their worst decline since the Great Depression. The number of people seeking unemployment benefits is at a 30-year high and mortgage foreclosures across the country continue to rise.

Here in New Hampshire, we will be called upon to make difficult decisions in the next two years. We must come together to find solutions to the problems our families are facing today and to address the financial challenges facing our state as a result of the recession.

But it is not with pessimism or with a sense of foreboding that I speak these words. My faith in our ability to work together and my belief in the spirit of the people of New Hampshire give me optimism about our future.

-Gov. Lynch

What Gov. Lynch has done is a great job at working with all members of the legislature, Democrats and Republicans to come up solutions to problems that, to quote our President-Elect, are not as simple as a republican or democratic problem, they are an American problem.

You know why Gov. Lynch has such a high approval rating, it is because he brings people together with his leadership. If that is not at the heart of the Democratic ideals of the Democratic Party then I do not know what is. Gov. Lynch is an extraordinary Governor, who has put aside partisan differences to work with everyone to create solutions that work for all of the citizens of New Hampshire, not just the members of the Democratic Party.

As for our state budget, as Gov. Lynch said in his Inaugural address, and as House and Senate leaders have said, cuts are going to happen. We cannot fund every program we want to. This economy prevents the legislature from doing so, to ensure this state can survive this economic downfall better than other states, NH has to adjust by reducing state spending. Just like every other state in the country. Some good programs will be cut, that is unfortunate, but we cannot continue to spend our state away into the red, down the road that will hurt even more programs and people.

Gov. Lynch is a Democrat, and is progressive. Need I remind you of our civil unions, increase in minimum wage, protection of the environment, renewable energy plan, etc.. You think Craig Benson, Joe Kenney, or Jim Coburn would have done any of those things. No.

Gov. Lynch has not divided this party he has united it, and has grown the party. I have seen first hand, people who never got involved in politics in their entire lives start volunteering or actively supporting the Governor, people that usually avoid the local school or town hall on election day because of traffic. Why, because they respect Gov. Lynch and are proud of the way he governs our state.

Oh and Rob, complaining on a blog is not going to do much. Although an apology to Gov. Lynch for those personal attacks on him, may just be the must productive use of your time since joining BH.

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by: sdoyle @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 21:47:29 PM CST

What? (0.00 / 0)

It's a global problem. Let's not be so narrow.

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by: Alex Gallichon @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 22:24:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Narrow? (4.00 / 1)

I wasn't being narrow, I was quoting the President-Elect.

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by: sdoyle @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 22:49:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

He shouldn't be so narrow! (0.00 / 0)

he's the President-Elect! We're facing a global problem.

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by: Alex Gallichon @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 23:02:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Narrow? (0.00 / 0)

I wasn't being narrow, I was quoting the President-Elect.

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by: sdoyle @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 22:49:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Apologize (0.00 / 0)

It's disappointing to me that a "college" dem would demand an apology from someone who disagrees or who puts out a difficult argument.  The only thing I am sorry for is that every time I criticise a NH Dem on these pages I get told I really shouldn't do it.

Look, the Dems did some wonderful things in the last two years.  BUT NONE OF THOSE THINGS COST ANY DOUGH.  Many of those things required others to spend dough.

An example of pretending to solve a problem: Deciding that an adequate education ought to cost something less than $4,000 per year.  

An example of passing legislation that OTHERS need to pay for: the health insurance legislation requiring insurers to stop this and add that, etc.

Where's the beef?  WHere is the tough stuff, the hard shuff, the real change.

So, I'm sorry that many of you folks don't like your icon to be questioned. That's my apology.

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by: robsprague @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 10:27:51 AM CST

[ Parent ]

II Just Cannot Believe... (0.00 / 0)

...what you have written here.  And, since you are the President of College Dems of NH, please offer your definition of what a Dem stands for.  

Lynch is NOT a progressive.  What's the meat, where's the dough, where's his leadership.  

Civil Unions cost him no money.  Increase in the minimum wage cost Lynch no money. Protection for the environment cost him no money.  a renewable energy plan cost Lynch no money, No money. Zero, cipher, ought, none.

He's pretending.  Otherwise he would be leadingf an honest discussion about school funding, prop. tax relief, infrastructure repair, etc.

Goodness; when I was in college we PUSHED our elected officials...  

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by: robsprague @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 18:10:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Is it all about money? (0.00 / 0)

You have to spend money in order to be a Democrat?

When Gov. Lynch came into office there was a loss of over $170 Million in state revenues. Gov. Lynch ran on a platform of better government, not bigger, evidence by the fact Gov. Lynch has taken steps to make government better without massive increases. Because of Gov. Lynch's leadership, we do not need to be bailed out like other states like NY.

Gov. Lynch went to work in 2005 trying to make our state government efficient, reducing costs.

When we are looking at a deficit of over $300 Million for a state with 1.2 Million people. And with state revenues continuing to drop your solution is to continue to spend more money in order to prove to you he is a Democrat?

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by: sdoyle @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 19:59:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Shit, (4.00 / 2)

I thought it was cool to belong to the party of fiscal responsibility instead of the borrow and spend Republicans. (I need to make that trip to the City Clerk's office real soon.)

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by: Alex Gallichon @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 00:29:51 AM CST

[ Parent ]

President-Elect Obama... (4.00 / 1)

One exception I'll take to John Lynch's Inaugural Address is that we'll have to say no to doing some things that government should do.  In my view, we can't do that.  We cannot let our people go cold or go hungry, or to further cut back on education or the needs of our senior citizens and those who are vulnerable and need some health care.  Those are among the cutbacks we're likely to see -- and already have in cities, towns, and counties.  State Government cannot put up "Going Out Of Business" signs.  

President-Elect Barack Obama has been talking about INVESTMENT in our citizens and our country at a time like this.  While the State of New Hampshire cannot deficit spend like the Federal Government can do, there are other things we can do, with a little courage and leadership.

John Lynch has an opportunity to positively lead in the next few months.  He'll be making his budget address to the Legislature shortly, and he can offer real ideas for revenue enhancement, whether it's gas tax, legacy tax, opening the dialogue of other fairer taxation, or government efficiencies that streamline operations without cutting programs.  He cannot tell the Legislature to just go to it and give him bills and budgets to accept or veto.  He'll have to take some stands.

We can cheerlead for our Democratic leaders without saying that everything they say is what we will follow.  When I was President of the New Hampshire Young Democrats I, and we, had no problem being critical of our then-leaders on the Vietnam War.  By the way, we also challenged our Democrats, who were reluctant in those days, to better fund the University System and education, as well as mental health care.  I assume the youth of today should have no problem fighting for Democratic ideals now.

In my view at least, it's not a Democratic ideal to have property taxes increase throughout the state, thus putting the burden on homeowners and renters, while millionaires find haven within our borders.  Opening the dialogue about that is okay, but John Lynch is closing the door.  Why?  Personal philosophy?  The polls?  Politics?  Idealism?  Tell me.  

And Rob should not have to apologize for being critical of John Lynch or telling us what he believes.  I like the good things John Lynch has done and does, and I've complimented him many times, but when I feel he's wrong -- in this case about avoiding leadership in finding real solutions to fairer taxation instead of just taking a pledge -- then he can accept a little criticism too.  Democrats have to be Democrats, or those who have supported us in 2006 and 2008 might stay home in 2010.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Sun Jan 11, 2009 at 22:16:44 PM CST

Cheerlead? (0.00 / 0)

I am not cheer leading, I am in agreement with Gov. Lynch, I support his policies because I believe they are the best for New Hampshire, for the present, and for the future.

It wasn't criticism what rob wrote, it was just utterly disrespectful.

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by: sdoyle @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 21:25:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Utterly Disrespectful ??? (4.00 / 1)

I wrote absolutely nothing that was "utterly disrespectful".  We have certain freedoms in this country, one of which is the freedom of speech. I spent 3 miserable years drafted into the US Army to help protect those freedoms.

Instead of trashing me, why not have the intellectual intensity to speak directly to my criticism of the Governor's Address.  

I found Governor Lynch's Inaugural Address a profound disappointment.  

1. He refuses to take leadership ositions on the hard issues

2. He refuses to deal with the school funding crisis in our state.

3. His decision to gut the budget is going to hurt poor people in this state.

That's not disrespectful, Mr. College President". That's strong-honest disagreement on issues.

And I am amazed that you have set yourself up as some umpire of taste; umpire of what is correct criticism.  Who the heck do you think you are?

And one more thing: We are citizens; elected officials work for us...we don't have to bow our heads in their presence and worry about offending them...we have the right to criticize our government. Unless maybe we are hopeful of getting some kind of political job with their help after graduating.

This site has the reputation of shouting down people who do not recite the "party line". It's too bad. It's one of the things that I find wrong with the Democratic Party. But, don't worry, I'll move on to another site so that you "college democrats" can control what is written here.  

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by: robsprague @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 03:06:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Don't Leave Rob (4.00 / 2)

Don't leave, Rob.  www.BlueHampshire.com -- I hope -- appreciates the dialogue.  Very often those of us who voice the minority or controversial view today find that it becomes the majority and accepted view in time.  Sometimes not, of course -- but the importance of political discourse is that it encourages all of us to think about the "givens."  I like John Lynch, but I think he can do more.  I like New Hampshire, but it's not yet living up to being the "home" all can enjoy because we're not doing what we should to fund excellence in education, or take care of our ill, our old, or our needy.  The fight continues, and you're going to have to take a few punches as well as throw them.  Hang in there.

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 07:00:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Agreed (0.00 / 0)

we need more discussion like this.  After the election I was thinking about themes for the year ahead.

One of those was "The Training Wheels are Off" we have had our 2 year of learning what it was like to be the majority party, This next session we need to be begin to ride.

Rational, mature steps dedicated to solving the inequities in our taxation structure, and investing in educational programs and infrastructure would be a good place to start start.

Some of our schools are literally falling apart at the seams.

From Random, McLinky

And let's not forget our the D+ from the Pew Center on the States and Gov. Lynches brush off of the critique of those from "Away".

Next to "Well behaved women rarely make history" one of my fav bumper stickers is "If your not outraged, you are not paying attention" I think we could stand to tap in to those sentiments from time to time.

Hope > Fear




Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 20:44:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ah, sometimes... (4.00 / 2)

we shout back.

Please carry on.

Whack-a-mole, anyone?

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 07:02:37 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Huah ! n/t (4.00 / 1)

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 08:12:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Um (4.00 / 1)

This site has the reputation of shouting down people who do not recite the "party line".

With who?

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by: JimC @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 08:49:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Disrespectful (0.00 / 0)

And may I remind the presumptive new Chairman of the State Republican Party, Mr. Sununu, that I have taken the NO TAX PLEDGE every day for the past four years immediately before brushing teeth in the early morning.  And I shall continue to do so, so help me God.

As we develop the next budget, we will have to examine every area of spending, look at every program and say 'no' more often than we would like. We will say "no" when the poor, the disenfranchised, and the ignorant are involved.  

That is disrespectful, Gov. Lynch and the State House are facing a huge revenue drop, and a bad economic situation throughout the country, having to cut programs in order to balance the budget and keep essential state services intact. Cutting programs that are needed in the community is an extremely hard decision to make, it is disrespectful to attack the man who has to sign the budget he knows doesn't have items in it he wishes, in order to keep this state's head above water while the rest of the country is being bailed out.

One could argue that the sacrifices we make here in New Hampshire serve the greater good by allowing the federal government to help out states that are so far deep in the red they can't fund essential state services.

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by: sdoyle @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 13:09:02 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's Called "Political Satire," Isn't It? (0.00 / 0)

Political satire has a place in this country, that's why it's called "political satire."  I've heard a lot worse on The Colbert Report, one of my more favorite shows.  Ours is a wonderful country for that very reason.  We might let the needy go unhelped, we might not educate our kids the way we should, we might allow the millionaires their tax havens (NH), and we might let our citizens go cold or hungry, but at LEAST we can criticize our leadership and even laugh at them if we want to.  That way we don't have to tear down statutes when they fall from power, we just let them go back to Texas or wherever.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 13:52:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If I Can Borrow Your Train Of Thought Jim and Sean (0.00 / 0)

This is one of the strange things about human interaction IMO.

It seems impossible not to "cross the line" since "the line" is situated differently for different people based on their own perceptual context unless you decide to stay away from everybody's "lines"

Ironically enough, that attempt not to cross any lines of anybody is what Governor Lynch seems to have done, an action which crossed Rob's "line".

Perhaps we're all eventually destined to offend most of each other in some way sooner or later. The real question is if it matters or not depending on the "line" that has been crossed.  

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by: Andrew Sylvia @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 15:45:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Mr. Doyle is Correct (4.00 / 2)

New Hampshire's economic problems aren't occurring because we don't have a broad based income tax (and lets stress "broad based, because we do have taxes on corporate income and to some extent tax the income of professional firms through the BET tax).  44 states are facing deficits right now, most of them are in worse shape than NH, and they have broadbased income and/or sales taxes.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 06:33:40 AM CST

we don't (0.00 / 0)

My opinion: We don't need a broad-based tax because of the current economic problems.  I never said that.  We need a broad-based tax because seniors and working poor cannot afford to pay their local property taxes, and because our system favors the wealthy and punishes the not-so-wealthy.

We need a broad-based tax because we are not providing the multitude of services that many progressives believe should be providing.

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by: robsprague @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 10:31:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Local taxes (4.00 / 3)

If the state adopts an income tax, that may lower a property tax bill because the state portion of the bill would be eliminated, but, the local portion would stay to fund local services. How would you address that in order to assist low income homeowners?  Or would you replace the property tax entirely and have the state fund all services? I'm not saying that eliminating local government is necessarily a bad thing (we have one too many layers of government in NH, a state this size doesn't need the three layers of state, county and local government), but unless the state funds all services, won't you still have a problem with low income home owners who can't pay property taxes?

I am not trying to argue with you here, I am genuinely interested in the answer. From 2000 to 2001, my property taxes went down 7% due to the state funding a larger share of Manchester's education bill. However, from 2001 to 2002, my taxes went back up to the same level as 2000. That was okay with me, but the experience served to make me a bit of a doubting Thomas on the question of whether an income tax will permanently decrease property taxes. So, short of eliminating local government, and going to a pure state system, I'm not sure what we do about that. And, again, maybe eliminating local government is a good thing - do we really need it in 2008?  I don't know. But that is a digression from your topic.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 11:34:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Local Gvt $$$ goes mostly... (0.00 / 0)

...for education.

It is the primary failing of our country - and the great sadness - that education is still controlled by local (read "ignorant") school boards like the one we have in my town. Just embarrassingly awful.  

The State should administer education, and pay for it. And, by the way, an adequate education costs about $8,500 per student these days.

Local gvt should administer the annnual town fishing derby. Maybe.

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by: robsprague @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 18:19:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

General Agreement vs. Colonel of Truth - military men all. (4.00 / 1)

"Need I remind you of our civil unions, increase in minimum wage, protection of the environment, renewable energy plan?" Yes you do, you have and you will. Those things have a voter approval rating almost as high as is the governors. What I think Rob is supporting is leading. The one issue on which Lynch tried to lead, where there was not a tsunami of voter approval was the Constitutional ammendment to fund the schools (or, in my view, to make sure that the courts couldn't interfere to make sure that schools are funded). Altering the Constitution in this way for this special purpose is not Democratic. We believe in getting voter approval and agreement on government policy not tying hands and making a fire wall against general voter agreement.

The theme for Democrats last session was, "don't rock the boat, Democrats getting voted into control of everything may have been a fluke and if we do stuff now, it will just be undone by the next House and Senate that will surely be a return to Republican rule." The theme for this session will be "don't rock the boat, there is no money for anything and if we try to do Democratic things we will be voted out in the upcoming election which will surely be a return to Republican rule." I can't imagine what the excuse will be next time but one excuse begets another. Perhaps there are no others here to stand with Mr. Sprague in saying, "I didn't work so hard, and hope so hard, in order to vote for a tie. I voted in Democrats to do Democratic things, not half Rep half Dem things."

Being a legislator is hard enough without the constant din of progressive media recommending being timid. We all know the history of politics in New Hampshire. We are all delighted that Ray Buckley has led us on to this bright new landscape. We are also quite aware that things here have gotten as bad as they have under Republican rule and we voters/workers/party members etc. want something new to try. There is no telling whether the party selection would have been the same if we had all sat back and done nothing. That is a logical fallacy known as "hypothesis contrary to fact." So when year after year the pledge is lauded even when the vast majority of towns say to the Fair Tax Coalition lets go over this ground again and see if something has changed - that was a tsunami neatly avoided.

Perhaps I and so many others are wrong about New Hampshire people understanding that being 48 or 49 out of the 50 states in tax burden means taxes are just too low and their distribution (property tax) is very harmful. There are no miracles here. We need roads, bridges, government regulation, school teachers, police, fire fighters, buildings and on and on same as every other state. Having a low tax burden means two things here. People who work for the government are not adequately compensated for their work, physical infrastructure is not being maintained,  money is being borrowed from the future to create this "advantage." And the way to get there from here is leadership, even if it means occasionally getting whacked in public for being correct and out front on issues.

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by: xteeth @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 06:41:39 AM CST

John Lynch Can Be A Great Governor (4.00 / 2)

It's not even a question this year and next of whether or not to have a "broad based" tax.  In my references I don't even refer to such a creature.  It's about opening the dialogue about our tax structure, and whether it makes sense, and whether there is a fairer way.  It's about opening the discussion statewide that there might be a better way, that reliance on the property tax is hurtful for lower income -- the homeowners who live on limited budgets and all those who rent, which is about half of us.  It's about daring to show leadership in making New Hampshire's government more efficient so programs which are vital for people's needs don't need to be cut and we don't have to put up those "Going Out Of Business" signs.  

John Lynch is a smart guy.  He's run companies.  He can do this.  He can be creative.  He can think out of the box.  But he might not if we don't demand it.  He does good things, but we need more right now.  We need him to lead, to involve us, to talk with us -- not just those in the Legislature and in government, but all of us.  That's not happening to the level it should, yet.  I expect more of him.  We all should.

We cannot, as he said in his Inaugural, say "no" to things government should do.  Barack Obama isn't taking that tact.  We can't.  We have to find ways for government to DO the things it must.  People can't go hungry and go cold.  We can't continue to avoid our obligations to our kids by not funding education well, and fairly.  We cannot further cut funding for programs for the elderly.  People are hurting.  A great Governor doesn't let that happen.  John Lynch has the possibility of being a great Governor.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 08:50:14 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Thank you for this reply (0.00 / 0)

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by: robsprague @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 10:34:03 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Whether or not one supports The Pledge, (0.00 / 0)

and I, for one, am against all pledges, as a rule, whether or not the ideas are good,

Now is not the time for the Governor to expend political capital on something that, at very least, will not happen during his third term.

There are times when you have to fight the fights you can win.  And yes, there are times when you have to fight the fights that need fighting.  But sometimes, it takes all your strength to fight the fight that consumes all else.

--
Hope 2012

@DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 15:18:16 PM CST

So...????? (4.00 / 2)

...what should the gov expend political capital on? What is he saving it up for?

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by: robsprague @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 18:21:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Dealing with the meltdown. (0.00 / 0)

--
Hope 2012

@DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Mon Jan 12, 2009 at 18:42:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Quod erat demonstratum (4.00 / 2)

So, to sum up. Rob asserts his opinion that Lynch does not act like a Democrat in several important ways and that the thing that these inactions all have in common is that they are risky - that is, not already supported by overwhelming percentages of New Hampshire voters.

The response to this argument is that supporting these gimmes is very Democratic and we can't/shouldn't expect more because it is nice to have very high approval ratings and we mustn't fight fights that we don't have to fight. Lynch is an excellent governor and knows more than the rest of us about what he should/can do for the rest of us.

I'll say again, I voted for Democrats because I thought that they would do the hard Democratic things, not the easy ones. If I had wanted a tie I wouldn't have bothered working so hard. We have had two years of breath catching in Democratic hands. Let's now do some new progressive things.

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by: xteeth @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 06:50:17 AM CST

" two years of breath catching " (4.00 / 1)

At the national level, I have felt like Pelosi and Reid have been more Lemaze coach than anything else.

Like Neil Young said, "Let's Roll."

Whack-a-mole, anyone?

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 07:13:02 AM CST

[ Parent ]

"The hard Democratic things" (0.00 / 0)

I hear ya. They will come. I hope.

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by: JimC @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 08:51:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

So What Do You think of Deval Patrick? (4.00 / 3)

This is an excerpt from a piece in the Globe on Sunday:

"

These are big challenges ahead," Patrick told the official. "But we'll get through them. We have to lean on each other."
In fact, Patrick is recasting himself, halfway through his term, from inspirational visionary to crisis manager, what he described in an interview last week as "comforter in chief."
He finds himself mired in a national financial crisis that is forcing him to cut deeply into the state budget, including social programs for the mentally retarded and the blind. As the state continues to lose revenue by the billions, Patrick is contemplating cuts in state aid to cash-strapped, hard-luck cities such as Worcester, New Bedford, and Springfield.

Real Democrat, or faux?  Pretend progressive, or a governor trying to deal with the fiscal reality of a significant drop in revenues because George W. Bush's adminsitration unleashed policies that have wrecked the national economy?



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 08:13:48 AM CST

Can I answer this? (0.00 / 0)

I like him, and I support him, but he has made some bad choices on which fights to fight.

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by: JimC @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 08:53:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Saint Patrick? (0.00 / 0)

While I don't want to follow the rules that the answers have to be compulsively on topic, the only reason I can produce for bringing Partick into this discussion is some sort of comparison to Lynch. I've met him once and if there is anyone in the universe more smooth than Obama it has to be Patrick. We talked for a few minutes at an Obama meeting in Danville and by the time I left I was sure that we were bonded at the hip and he was the savior of the universe and that honey wouldn't stick to his tongue.

But what does that have to do with Lynch not storming along on Democratic issues in New Hampshire. Everyone is suffering from the economic crisis created by Bush and the Freidmanites economic horror of pseudo free trade. Our housing bubble, increasing unemployment, degraded infrastructure - all these things are agreed upon by most. Are we going to work on them at the bottom with jobs, education, health care - how is that going in Mass. Seems like a sort of bastardized single payer universal system which means that you get to pay for all the bad stuff as well as adding all those uninsured without the benefit of getting the 34% overhead back from the private insurance carriers. Yadda yadda.

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by: xteeth @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 10:51:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The comparison (4.00 / 1)

I bring up Governor Patrick because in his diary Mr. Sprague said that Gov. Lynch was saying,

As we develop the next budget, we will have to examine every area of spending, look at every program and say 'no' more often than we would like. We will say "no" when the poor, the disenfranchised, and the ignorant are involved.

 

I don't think that is at all what Governor Lynch was saying, but in any event, Mr. Sprague, and I think you, don't see Governor Lynch as a "real" Democrat. My point is that because the economy has crashed, Governor Lynch, like governors across the country, are having to deal with severe cuts because there isn't as much revenue coming in as there was previously, not because of ideology.

I also think that Mr. Sprague and you think it is important to have an income tax.  Given the cuts that are being made to services in states - like Massachusetts - that have income taxes, my second point in quoting the article is that the problem with the state's economy right now is not the particular tax structure - it is that revenues are off on pretty much everything.  In fact, one could argue that NH may be better off because we are not dependent on income taxes at a time of significant job loss/wage shrinkage.  Or not, depending on your point of view. So, I think the comparison to what Gov. Patrick is saying is within the scope of the diary.  If you disagree, that's cool - I don't want you think I'm trying to drive you away!  :)    



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 11:29:57 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Good frame (0.00 / 0)

"...because the economy has crashed, Governor Lynch, like governors across the country, are having to deal with severe cuts because there isn't as much revenue coming in as there was previously, not because of ideology."

When good hearted well meaning people wanted to run for office, my Daddy used to say, "What do they know, have they ever had to meet a payroll?" I don't mean to imply anything negative Rob and I truly honor and respect your service and your right to take a different opinion, but Government has to keep the lights on even when revenues are down, so cuts are made. I can't imagine the Draconian schemes that a Craig Benson would come up with. Our Governor truly cares about all the people of New Hampshire, irrespective of party affiliation and I wholeheartedly back his methods of budget cutting. First you have to stem the blood Rob, make tough choices, and reduce spending. Then after that is done create and maintain jobs. NH will do that better than our neighbors. I think too little focus is placed on the basic support of family units, two good jobs...this comes before tax or spending policy. Without that successful structure you got bubkis at a time like this.We have because of our low tax structure been able to attract business owners to the state and the jobs they provide. This is no small feat given the competitive nature of global business right and the tax incentives and deals being offered to companies to move. We must keep and expand our employment base, and the rest will follow in line. We will see revenues increase again over time, and at some point a beginning of a new upward trend in Real Estate, following incomes.

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 14:26:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ummm, Interesting New Theory... (0.00 / 0)

This is an interesting new theory.  Reducing spending, which will only temporarily hurt programs which help our residents, until that upward trend occurs in real estate following incomes.  Jobs provided by business owners attracted to New Hampshire for our low tax structure, which then can hire people at the still-low minimum wage we approved for 2008.  Neat.  I think I'll coin this, "The Trickle Down Theory."  Don't worry, be happy. Someone might write a book about that.    

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 16:15:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

yup (0.00 / 0)

income has to equal outgo...we don't have printing presses here like they do in Washington. People are tightening their belts all over...to buy basic necessities. Government has to do that too, until the next upturn in the general economy. Housing prices are strongest where wages are strongest, ie NYC, So.Westen CT, LA Chicago. In fact I think that seats of government with lots of Federal jobs will withstand increased downward pressure on prices, deflation, that is now the new wave. Federal workers tend to keep their jobs in a downturn, and the housing stock in areas like Birmingham may be bolstered as others fall further.
We have to be able to open back up our manufacturing base if we are going to grow our way out. The Green Jobs proposals, how long do you think they will take to re-invigorate this mordant economy ? What do you think stimulation is Jim ? We are trying to shock this sick puppy of an economy, but with all the money pumped in activity continues to slow. What do think is the answer, other than new job creation ?

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 17:06:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Really Jim (0.00 / 0)

I am talking about the companies by and large of 100 employees or less, led by entrepreneurs who are the backbone of America. They make payroll every week, sometimes out of their pockets, pay benefits, pay taxes on every dollar of profit they earn and never come close to the threshold of a "Bailout'. They should be rewarded for their risk. But in tough times, the individuals, families, and small businesses who create 70% of the jobs in our country, are taking it in the neck. I want our State to have the best atmosphere in which someone will feel comfortably assured that the Government encourages Free Enterprise. A lot of the small business owners I know are Democrats with good moral values. They also have to survive the coming global Depression, not just the Banks. I have heard almost nothing from you about this major fleecing of America. We the people don't do trickle down, we work for every penny, make great products, and provide killer customer service, to survive.

Bernanke today declared at the London School of Economics, that our credit markets(Banks)are not functioning correctly, and Obama's Stimulus package, while he supports it, will not be enough to get things going any time soon. He says the Banks are going to need more help...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01...
One day after President Bush, at the request of President-elect Barack Obama, asked Congress to free up the second half of the money for the Treasury Department's $700 billion financial rescue program, Mr. Bernanke cautioned that banks and other lending institutions were still not functioning properly and would probably need additional money.

"More capital injections and guarantees may become necessary to ensure stability and the normalization of credit markets," Mr. Bernanke said during a speech at the London School of Economics.

Though the Fed chairman acknowledged that people in many countries were "understandably concerned" about pumping government money into the financial industry while often turning a cold shoulder to other sectors, he defended the effort as unpleasant but necessary.

"This disparate treatment, unappealing as it is, appears unavoidable," he said. "Our economic system is critically dependent on the free flow of credit, and the consequences for the broader economy of financial instability are thus powerful and quickly felt."

There is disparate treatment out there as Douglas said...
http://www.bluehampshire.com/s...

We must fight for the little guy, by trying to get new jobs for New Hampshire at a living wage, and encourage new business development.

The big lobbies are at it again...the taxpayer must pony up to the Banker who lives in fear of losing her country club membership!

In a separate appearance on Tuesday in Washington, the Fed's vice chairman, Donald L. Kohn, said that financial institutions were still "clogged" by hard-to-sell assets and still needed help.

Why should we use our National Debt to prop up bad decisions by Institutional Lenders? Let's take the hit and move on at real valuations instead. Then cash is king, and people will be motivated to make it. You can't borrow what doesn't exist, in other words we're broke. We'll have to create value to have value. No more charge cards. If you read the Times story he actually addresses the concerns of the International Banking Community that the U.S. will drag the world into deflation by continually floating more debt and printing more money.

The Fed Chairman's closing comments, intended to calm, gives me pause. It sounds great at first but then given the results so far, and the lack of accountability in the spending of the first Tranche of $350,000,000,000. it rings as hollow as the claims of WMD.

"Even as we strive to stabilize financial markets and institutions worldwide, however, we also owe the public near-term, concrete actions to limit the probability and severity of future crises," he said.

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 20:08:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Just who is being framed now? (0.00 / 0)

And another set of can't at this time, won't till further notice, it is unreasonable that, nobody would expect that............The property tax is killing some folks, particularly older fixed income people if they have property whether the times are good or bad. Bad times are no excuse to keep doing bad things to the less well off. New Hampshire relies twice as much as any other state on property tax for income.

I can't take seriously the argument that fixed income people are doing better now that others are losing their income. Laughable. Did you think fixed income meant rich? Property once was a signal that there is where the money is. Now the rich have the least proportion of their wealth in real property.since the 1920's. I take it as a given that our government wishes to tax places where there is actual money to collect. That's why Republicans hate the idea. The pledge gets them off the hook and off onto other culture wars issues at which they excel.

I prefer the Frank Zappa quote that says, "
Politics is merely "the entertainment branch of industry."

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by: xteeth @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 16:12:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not what I said (0.00 / 0)

I didn't  say fixed income people are doing better.  I said NH may be better off than states that are dependent of income taxes because of the drop in income resulting from job loss or wage shrinkage.  



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 20:01:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Who makes jobs that last? (0.00 / 0)

Over and over I hear the claim that small business creates most of the jobs in America. This is true but it is also true that small business destroys most of the jobs in America. It is about equal but a distortion to say just the one thing. First, small business is not your brother in law's lawn mowing company or the local hardware store. It is mostly corporate with over 100 employees and gross of 20 million or more. Is that what you meant? The longest lasting jobs these days are made by companies in the next larger category - medium sized business. Then
when they get larger the duration  gets shorter again, probably due to downsizing and the Republican Enron effect.

"Politics is merely the entertainment branch of

industry." Frank Zappa

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by: xteeth @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 07:28:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

you're sharp xteeth (0.00 / 0)

I am proud of the fact that in tough times NH outperforms on job creation.
It may not be good enough or acceptable to you, but it is what it is.
Here is another opinion about age based tax policy.

http://www.concordmonitor.com/...
Tax break proposals should be rejected

By PETER IMSE For the Monitor
January 11, 2009 - 12:00 am

Recent news articles have described the efforts by members of over-55 living communities to obtain real estate tax breaks in New Hampshire. They justify themselves by arguing that they do not make the same demands on municipal services as others. These proposals illustrate a disturbing trend in which more and more governmental policies exhibit a selfishness directly at odds with the world's best political and moral traditions.

Societies exist because we can accomplish far more as a group than as individuals. Pooling our talents and resources for the common good necessarily means that those who have more will contribute to help those who have less. The last century of U.S. history - whether we are talking about employment and labor laws for workers, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly and the poor, the end to government-sanctioned discrimination based on race or sex, or the protection of the rights of the disabled - includes many examples of a society functioning at its best.

The social and political trends in the United States during recent decades show an alarming change of course. We are cutting funding for social welfare programs despite a growing population in need of services. We tell others not to cut their rain forests, yet we will not agree to rudimentary limits on our own use of the world's finite resources. We are against "earmarks" in the federal budget, unless, of course, the earmarks are for projects in our own state. We support our children's right to a quality education, but only to the extent that our education dollars are spent in our community.

In a similar vein, the tax relief

Advocates for the over-55 communities argue that they should not have to pay taxes for services, such as schools, that they do not use. They fail to recognize that their communities would not even exist were it not for governmental initiatives dating back to the 1950s that were adopted to protect and care for the elderly. These initiatives included the legalized age-discrimination that makes over-55 communities possible in the first place. Indeed, despite the good intentions of the policymakers who made these communities possible, the homogeneity and isolation of these communities fosters and encourages the "us vs. them" attitudes that lead to the present tax proposals.

for transparency sake ~I represent Union print shops

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by: JonnyBBad @ Tue Jan 13, 2009 at 17:13:39 PM CST