(I'm hoping for encores in from Rep. Splaine, but this is a good time for a bow and a cheer. - promoted by elwood)
One of my first political heroes, State Representative Duke Maynard of Portsmouth, very long ago told me that the greatest wisdom of getting old(er) is to realize that life is short, and as you age year by year, life is even shorter. He told me that back in 1969 at a time when I was a really young pup serving my first year in the New Hampshire House, and he was then about the age I am now.
For me, leaving isn't new. I've left the NH Legislature after being in it four times -- from the House in 1970 after a term (lost re-election by 5 votes), again in 1978 (ran for the Senate and won), then from the Senate in 1984 (had enough of that!), and the House again in 1996 after having returned there for another three terms (onto other things). Each time I eventually went back, even though after I left on each occasion I thought I never would. That's my intention this time as I leave in 2010 -- not to return even someday, but one never knows what tomorrow brings.
With my years ahead of me getting shorter, I've been planning to move on for the past several months, really the past year. The only reasons I'd feel I would want to stay would be to defend House Bill 436, marriage equality, or because we need all the Democrats we can get for 2011-2012. However, I'm confident that especially with our ability to defeat the repeal of gay marriage a few weeks ago by such a wide margin in the House and in referendums in town meetings, the defense of our success in achieving marriage equality will be carried on by others very well.
And in November, 2010, whether I ran or not, we'll continue to have an all-Democratic team from Portsmouth and Newington. In fact, by me not running gives a good former House member who wants to return an easier shot without losing any of our current other good House members who may seek re-election; fact is, there may be other "new" ones who should have their chance to serve and offer their fresh perspectives.
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