An introduction

Thanks so much for coming to Blue Hampshire, Steve! (0.00 / 0)

Allow me to provide a link for the your website that you reference above:

Steve Marchand

 

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 20:26:32 PM UTC

Thanks Dean (4.00 / 2)

You, Mike and MissLaura do great work.  Your new front pagers, NHCollegeDem and Elwood are strong additions, as well.  Keep it up!

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 20:33:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, (0.00 / 0)

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see candidates embracing the "netroots."  The growing interaction between Democrats and new media is truly remarkable.

And likewise, I'm thrilled by how strongly both the national and local the "blogosphere" is getting behind this race.

If you are partial to comment on this post, I'd love to get your thoughts on Sununu's vote against the Iraq supplemental.  Would you have voted in favor of the bill, and have you heard about the Reid-Feingold measure under consideration in the event that the President vetoes? 

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 20:45:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Iraq & Reid-Feingold (4.00 / 2)

I would have voted for the Iraq supplemental because it only authorizes funds for the next two to three months and because it has clear language about a withdrawal timeline.  I am disappointed in John Sununu's lack of courage to stand up to this administration and its failing policies in Iraq.

Senators Reid and Feingold are right to take a hard line with their proposed legislation.  It would be irresponsible to pull funding for all the troops overnight, risking the safety of our servicemen and woman as they withdraw.  However, a clear long-term timeframe to prepare for a funding cut will hold the administration's feet to the fire while allowing them ample time to prepare for a safe and orderly withdrawal from Iraq. 

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 15:07:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I am not a single-issue litmus test voter, (0.00 / 0)

but your kind words about the possible next step with the Reid-Feingold strategy is very encouraging to me.  The Iraq war is to me a symbol in real time of the dysfunction that has existed in our executive branch (and enabled until very recently by the legislative) for the past six years.

It is extremely refreshing to hear a candidate and politician talk about bringing withdrawal pressure on the president in all responsible ways, including wielding the power of the purse.

Thank you.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 15:25:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I see that Senator Feingold himself (0.00 / 0)

has come to dKos to discuss his bill.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 15:35:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What a suck-up. LOL (0.00 / 0)

A blogging mayor is still a bit of a novelty.  Let me invite you to BFA

http://blogforameric...

We've got a discussion going virtually 24/7, but rarely on topic.  When you sign up, don't forget to join our DFALink group
http://www.dfalink.c...

and set up a campaign page of your own.

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by: hannah @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 20:46:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Welcome! (0.00 / 0)

Thank you, Mayor Marchand, for joining our conversation here at Blue Hampshire.  I look forward to hearing much more from you in the future.

It is encouraging to see some of our Senate candidates taking advantage of this new online forum.  I think its a great way to have a conversation with progressives and activists around the state.

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by: Nicholas Gunn @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 21:09:27 PM UTC

Steve-Stances on Issues (0.00 / 0)

Steve, thank you for having the courage to enter the Senate race against John Sununu. This is going to be one of the most important congressional races in the country in 2008. I put in a lot of hours for the Paul Hodes campaign in 2006 and expect to do the same for our Senate candidate in 2008.

Where do you stand on trade issues? Would you support a tax simplification plan like Ron Wyden's Fair Flat Tax Act (http://wyden.senate....)? What steps would you advocate to begin to allevaite the income gap in this country?

Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks.

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by: Scoonie @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 21:57:34 PM UTC

Fiscal, Labor, and Trade Policy (4.00 / 2)

  Too many working- and middle-class Americans have been taken advantage of in recent years by Bush's misguided fiscal and tax policies.  We need REAL tax relief, not the top-down, lip-service policies we've seen under this administration. Sen. Wyden's goals are to inject fairness and simplicity into our tax system.  While I applaud these goals, I think there is a better way to reach them.

First, we need to roll back the Bush tax cuts.  They made our tax system less fair, did not stimulate the economy, sent us from record budget surpluses to record deficits, and did not give working- and middle-class Americans meaningful tax relief.

Second, we should raise the payroll tax cap.  75% of Americans pay more in payroll tax than they do in income tax. Raising the cap will generate revenue that can be used for real tax cuts for working- and middle-class Americans.  One smart option is to lower the actual rate on both the employer and employee sides of the payroll tax.  This real tax relief would save employee hiring costs, stimulate job growth, and put an immediate tax savings into the pockets of every American on every paycheck.

Taken together, these measures can create revenues that have a multitude of applications.  There's more about my plan on my website's issues page.

Protecting the U.S. economy and American jobs must be the number one economic concern of the U.S. Government.  That said, we live in a dynamic world economy.  As the world economy changes, the American economy must adapt.  Free trade, when done right, has important environmental and labor standards built in, promotes growth, and fosters global innovation.  Unfortunately, past free trade legislation has not contained adequate environmental and labor protections.

I support free trade done right: when it is supported by careful and committed investments in long-term job retraining and placement programs, universal healthcare coverage for every American, and strong environmental protection standards.  When we raise our standards and challenge other nations to raise their standards, everyone wins.

And in regards to your earlier comments on this site, I do support the Employee Free Choice Act.  We owe many of the rights we take for granted today to the Labor Movement.  We must ensure that all Americans are able to join labor organizations free from fear and intimidation.  Card-check authorization, contract mediation, and strong penalties for violations will put much-needed new teeth on the worker protections in the Labor Relations Act.

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 14:56:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Payroll Taxes and Trade (0.00 / 0)

Thank you for your reply! I've supported that same idea of raising the payroll tax cap and lowering the rate for a while now. It's a great idea and one that's easy to sell to the public.

In all honesty, I question how free trade has helped everyone win in this country? All it seems to have done is pushed middle class Americans from manufacturing and IT jobs into low-wage service jobs. And the trend has only gotten worse.

If you support free trade, where do these displaced workers go? No one seems like they can give a concrete answer on that. There is not some new industry that is able to replace these lost jobs. Free trade seems to have hurt the American middle class more than any other policy over the past 20 years.

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by: Scoonie @ Fri Apr 06, 2007 at 18:44:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're right, it HASN'T helped everyone win (4.00 / 2)

As I said above, I support free trade done right.  This means putting long-absent safeguards into place:

-Comprehensive job re-training and placement programs
-Stringent environmental standards to safeguard against abuses
-Affordable, portable healthcare to keep our workers safe and healthy, regardless of employment or employer.

We already have similar protections built into our economic system: Social Security, Medicaid, Unemployment Insurance and  the Minimum Wage are all examples of programs meant to level the playing field in times of economic difficulty.

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Fri Apr 06, 2007 at 21:02:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Topic of the day (4.00 / 1)

Mayor Marchand, today the NH House voted to OK legislation that would allow same sex couples in New Hampshire to enter into a Civil Union and be recognized by state law.

If the bill becomes law, we will still not have equality, however, because the Defense of Marriage Act prevents the federal government from recognizing same sex couples, even if they are recognized by their state.  This means that even though our unions would be recognized by the state of New Hampshire, we would not be protected by Federal Law with its more than 1,000 rights and responsibilities afforded to married couples.

If elected, would you support a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act?

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by: Nicholas Gunn @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 22:11:02 PM UTC

DOMA & Civil Rights (4.00 / 2)

Yes, I would support a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act were it to come to a vote.  Same-sex couples should enjoy the same partner rights as heterosexual couples in regards to the state.  By denying a multitude of partner benefits and rights to same-sex couples, DOMA codifies denial of basic civil rights.

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 14:57:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A meta question, Mr. Mayor (4.00 / 1)

How would you like to discuss policy question with us?

Responding as we toss out questions?

Or presenting us with a platform and asking for comments, disagreements, reactions?

Or identifying key policy questions first, and then discussing your current or evolving positions?

Any of those would be reasonable. I guess I'm inviting you to be pro-active and propose a model, before I pelt you with my own pet concerns.

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by: elwood @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 23:04:50 PM UTC

Let's take them one at a time. (4.00 / 3)

I very much like the opportunity that blogs' commenting system provide to address each person's questions individually.  I'll be posting further diaries in the coming months on my issue positions and policy proposals as they are released.

For the time being, however, feel free to just ask about the issues important to you and I'll do my best to have a timely and thorough response.

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 15:03:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Glad your running Mr. Mayor, (0.00 / 0)

We are going to need a progressive senate to get our next presidents policy's passed.  You have a nice city down there.

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by: Pat @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 23:37:53 PM UTC

Good luck Mayor (4.00 / 1)

It's going to be a big one. You've got a great grassroots crew up there poised to make the most of this race.

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by: mbair @ Wed Apr 04, 2007 at 23:59:41 PM UTC

OK, and here's your first lesson (0.00 / 0)

get mbair as your vlogger. Seriously.

Check out this work:

http://www.bluehamps...

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by: Mike Caulfield @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 00:03:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I must warn you that I don't come cheap. (4.00 / 1)

I only work for free because some things money can not buy. Sometimes that cost can be prohibitive.

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by: mbair @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 00:16:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'll admit it right now (0.00 / 0)

I'm not much on the fence. I like your record, and the people I know in Portsmouth love you.

Refreshingly simple compared to the Presidential contest. You don't have any relatives that are sitting governors, do you?

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by: Mike Caulfield @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 00:10:21 AM UTC

Blog On Mayor Steve (0.00 / 0)

Nice to have you here !
I think Blue Hamsters want to know about your
global perspective vis a vis Trade and Employment Law, Environmental Issues and general relation to DLC policy.

Next time, there may be no next time.

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by: Jon Bresler @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 01:43:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Our Discourse as Democrats (4.00 / 1)

I believe I've touched on much of your question above.  I also encourage you to visit my website for more information on my website about those topics.

It is vital in our discourse as Democrats that we get away from positions and focus on common interests.  Our dialogue is about bringing people together to find progressive solutions to the challenges facing Americans every day.

In my role as Mayor, I have received bi-partisan praise for bringing people who disagree to the table and getting things done.  My experience shows that Americans generally agree when you step away from positions and focus on our common interests.

Steve Marchand for U.S. Senate

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by: Steve Marchand @ Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 14:58:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]