Voting Pro-Choice

by: ruthcserr

Mon Oct 25, 2010 at 11:04:18 AM EDT

I am planning to vote on Tuesday, November 2nd.  I always vote.  This year, more than usual, I am thinking about the women who made it possible for me to exercise such a basic right.   Less than a century ago, suffragettes were imprisoned, abused and beaten in their campaign to make sure women were considered autonomous individuals capable of self determination.

Given that legacy, the only possibility is that I vote for a Senate candidate like Paul Hodes, who unlike his opponent, is pro-choice.  It is only possible that I vote for a candidate for Representative to Congress like Ann Kuster whose long history of support for women, children and working families in New Hampshire clearly distinguishes her from her opponent, a long time Bush ally.  The only candidate I could possibly support for State Senate is Deb Reynolds, who has demonstrated her commitment to the people of New Hampshire and has worked for equal rights for all of us.  I can only vote for State Representatives Jim Aguiar and Carol Friedrich who have taken the same positions on choice, privacy and civil rights.  

Our previous roster of local NH congresspersons held many of these same positions on choice and privacy, but such Republicans are no longer welcome in their party.   Now a slate of tea party endorsed or, by their own admission, tea party loving candidates for our state and national legislatures want New Hampshire voters to believe that they have our best interests in mind.  I am not fooled.  They are beholden to big business and corporate interests.  They are not concerned with my civil rights, those of my daughter, or those of any of us.  For all their complaining about big government, it is the Republicans who want to legislate personal, private matters while allowing multi-million dollar business interests to do as they please at our expense.

It is in honor of the legacy of those women who gained for American women the right to vote, through years of hard work and grave bodily hardship, that I vote.  And when I do, I will only vote for those candidates who respect me as an individual.  I will only support the Democratic candidates who, in this day and age, are the only ones who have shown a commitment to my personal right to make decisions about my life and body and my daughter's right to make decisions about hers.

Ruth Cserr
Orford

DeVries and Reynolds: Their Votes Can Save Lives

by: BurtCohen

Thu Oct 22, 2009 at 20:56:32 PM EDT

While the numbers look good in the House, we've been short two (for the two thirds required) in the Senate.

Betsi DeVries, who voted against medical marijuana, has been hearing from constituents. that effort must continue.

But there is reason to believe that Senator Deb Reynolds of Plymouth, who voted the right, compassionate way on the senate floor, is now being pressured by the governor to vote against the over-ride.

Reynolds and DeVries need to hear from you. And if you know people in their districts, that means the most, have them call.
The senators need to know their vote to override will cost them no votes in 2010; every poll shows a solid majority favors this compassionate legislation. Instead, by voting to over-ride they'll gain active supporters.

They need to know the momentum is real, especially after US Attorney General Holder and NH's US Attorney Kacavas say that if a state has a medical marijuana bill, patients will not be prosecuted. But there needs to be that state law in place!

Now is the time to call or email DeVries and Reynolds. Senator Reynolds is at 536-5553, Deborah.Reynolds@leg.state,nh.us, DeVries can be emailed at Besti.devries@leg.state.nh.us.

It is too bad the governor chose not to meet with patients. There are so many cases where this makes the difference between healing and dying.

Now is the time, you can make a difference.

An Open Letter to Senator Deborah Reynolds

by: Reverend Ryan

Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 15:22:12 PM EDT

I was incredibly disappointed and hurt by your vote yesterday on HB 436. Killing this bill essentially says that while I'm worthy of the same rights everyone else has, "it's not the time" for me to be able to enjoy the fullness of citizenship in the place I love so much.