Is NH Conservative or Liberal? (Manchester, New Boston: property taxes, health insurance, budget)

[Music Guy]

Just curious...

[skytrekker]

Libertarian. In the Past was staunchly conservative-but not like a Southern US conservative. Low taxes, and government out of peoples lives-'Live Free or Die'.

In recent years for many reasons; New residents, an increasing anti libertarian trend in the Republican party- the state has tended 'blue' and voted for Democrats. The state for the first time in a century or more voted in a Democratic legislature.

The state passed a civil Unions law for gay and lesbians. The state passed anti discrimination laws/hate crimes legislation several years ago.

Senator John Sununu is currently behind the former Democrat Governor in the 08 Senate race by more then 15 points. Sununu has become much more moderate then the current GOP on many issues.

New Hampshire is the most 'conservative' state in all of New England- but being conservative in New Hampshire is different then elsewhere. It means fiscal responsibility and individual freedom.

[GregW]

I agree with skytekker. New Hampshire is way too conservative to remain Republican and has found the NH Democrats closer to the "Live Free of die" motto than the Republicans. I have also observed that the only "Republican" presidential candidate with any traction around here is Ron Paul.

Over his political career John Sununu has voted the Republican Party line for over 95% of the time and has done very little for his New Hampshire voters. They are realizing this and as the Democrats have two strong candidates in John Bucky and ex-governor Jeanne Shaeen are strongly considering voting for a Senator that will represent them in Washington.

In case you haven’t realized by now I am an active Democrat in New Hampshire and am proud of working for candidate that will represent most of the people not just the financial elite.

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by GregW

New Hampshire is way too conservative to remain Republican and has found the NH Democrats closer to the "Live Free of die" motto than the Republicans.....
....not just the financial elite.

The reason for the Dems taking over NH gov. was voter's looking for a change. Not happy being happy with the present administration, myself included for many reasons, created the push. Unforunately, they let the fox in the henhouse and it's just the begining of losing the freedoms that are dear to NH residents.

NH Dems are so far removed from the state motto that it's laughable you even proposed such a concept. The days of JFK are long over pal. The modern Dem is all about what makes them look good and they don't really give a rat's butt about the "working man". They just want to tell you how to run your life. Most will break their arms patting themselves on the back after they do.

Take a look to your southern neighbor. Do you want to end up like Massachusetts? I live in that God-forsaken state and I want out big time.

Things you will lose:
No income tax
No sales tax
No open fire arms carry.
No helmet law
No seat belt law
etc....

Things you will gain:
More people coming in to live on state funds
More taxes and fees
Bigger government
Government pay raises
Basically people who want to tell you how to live.

These are but short lists on both sides. I just pray the second list never happens.

Don't equate money with conservatives only. The Dems are the ones with the major money. They easily outnumber Cons. That argumemt is so dead, but most Dems find it easy to pull it out when convenient.

[dmyankee]

Oh nooo! Say it ain't so.

You guys are looking a lot like Maine here. Given the right chance, I would bug out and head to northern, NH. We are just getting hammered with taxes and fees here. We were very libertarian until about 25 years ago. It's gone downhill in the worst way!

Good Luck! Stick to your guns.

[nicolem]

Originally Posted by bryfry

The reason for the Dems taking over NH gov. was voter's looking for a change. Not happy being happy with the present administration, myself included for many reasons, created the push. Unforunately, they let the fox in the henhouse and it's just the begining of losing the freedoms that are dear to NH residents.

NH Dems are so far removed from the state motto that it's laughable you even proposed such a concept. The days of JFK are long over pal. The modern Dem is all about what makes them look good and they don't really give a rat's butt about the "working man". They just want to tell you how to run your life. Most will break their arms patting themselves on the back after they do.

Take a look to your southern neighbor. Do you want to end up like Massachusetts? I live in that God-forsaken state and I want out big time.

Things you will lose:
No income tax
No sales tax
No open fire arms carry.
No helmet law
No seat belt law
etc....

Things you will gain:
More people coming in to live on state funds
More taxes and fees
Bigger government
Government pay raises
Basically people who want to tell you how to live.

These are but short lists on both sides. I just pray the second list never happens.

Don't equate money with conservatives only. The Dems are the ones with the major money. They easily outnumber Cons. That argumemt is so dead, but most Dems find it easy to pull it out when convenient.

I pretty much agree. The real reason that the Dems were able to take over the NH house and NH senate in the last election is becasue people were angry at Bush and angry on the federal level. So instead of thinking about their actions, they voted out/in local NH reps who have aboslutely nothing to do with the Federal level or Bush or the Iraq war. I still do not understand why these people did not think about the consequences of their actions. So because of this we now have a smoking ban and other laws rammed down our throat. They have proposed but luckily not passed a seatbelt law. A rep from Manchester tried to introduce a bill to make NH a sanctuary state. I could go on and on. Not to mention a huge budget increase and now they are calling for a toll increase and a decrease of the E-Z pass discount. God only knows how much more damage will be done if they regain control in the next election.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Originally Posted by nicolem

I pretty much agree. The real reason that the Dems were able to take over the NH house and NH senate in the last election is becasue people were angry at Bush and angry on the federal level. So instead of thinking about their actions, they voted out/in local NH reps who have aboslutely nothing to do with the Federal level or Bush or the Iraq war. I still do not understand why these people did not think about the consequences of their actions. So because of this we now have a smoking ban and other laws rammed down our throat. They have proposed but luckily not passed a seatbelt law. A rep from Manchester tried to introduce a bill to make NH a sanctuary state. I could go on and on. Not to mention a huge budget increase and now they are calling for a toll increase and a decrease of the E-Z pass discount. God only knows how much more damage will be done if they regain control in the next election.

Agreed.
I guess one reason the politicians in dc have such contempt for their "bosses" is that the people do run in herds and for the most part are clueless about the depth and depravity of their representative bribees' treachery, mistakenly thinking "their" side is working against the "other" side when in fact both work in concert to slowly whittle away at the freedoms won for us in the 1775-1783 war.
Hate crimes legislation is nothing but thought crimes legislation, straight out of 1984. The war is but a red herring.
How long will it be before the NH voters wake up and discover they have nowhere to run because MA totalitarian laws have become NH laws?
The dems are neo-comms, the neo-cons are cons and so utterly stupid as to make the whole IQ argument nonsensical, and the constitutional conservatives are AWOL.
It is no wonder Ron Paul is big in NH...he is what the state used to be before the MA contaminants poisoned the well.

[NCOriolesfan]

Originally Posted by GregW

I agree with skytekker. New Hampshire is way too conservative to remain Republican and has found the NH Democrats closer to the "Live Free of die" motto than the Republicans. I have also observed that the only "Republican" presidential candidate with any traction around here is Ron Paul.

Over his political career John Sununu has voted the Republican Party line for over 95% of the time and has done very little for his New Hampshire voters. They are realizing this and as the Democrats have two strong candidates in John Bucky and ex-governor Jeanne Shaeen are strongly considering voting for a Senator that will represent them in Washington.

In case you haven’t realized by now I am an active Democrat in New Hampshire and am proud of working for candidate that will represent most of the people not just the financial elite.

Didn't Shaheen try to get a state income tax? Yeah, that's the kind of rep NH needs in Washington.
The problem is the conservatives and the liberals are fighting and everyone becomes disenchanted. They are one and the same. Vote Libertarian!! Before they pass a law saying you have to vote for a dem or rep. You think I kidding?

[GregW]

I just happen to pay Massachusetts income tax and New Hampshire property taxes and I still net much more money working in Boston, MA than New Boston, NH.

I do not need a law to keep me from smoking (30 yrs free) or wearing seat belts in a car or a helmet when I ride a m'cycle. I just hate having my health insurance premiums increased by the fools that get themselves badly hurt by smoking or not using belts or a helmet. If we instituted an income tax in NH I would be able to deduct it from my federal tax so it wouldn't cost me much. I might even pay less if the income tax reduced my town taxes.

As far as raising the tolls are concerned I think it is about time. We have been living off differed maintenance and the roads are badly in need of repair. Dangerous roads endanger me and my friends so I want them repaired and am willing to spend my money as well as yours to get the job done. Besides, I like annoying the selfish that insist that they do not have to pay to live in a decent society.

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by GregW

.....I might even pay less if the income tax reduced my town taxes....
......Besides, I like annoying the selfish that insist that they do not have to pay to live in a decent society.

You are mistaken if you think the Dems are going to do something to lower town taxes if there is a state income tax. The only reason to impliment an income tax is to pay for the social programs that will arise out of it. I'm tired of paying for people who just stand there with their hand out. Mass is just crawling with illegals and low-lifes who are getting free everything while I bust my ass just trying to pay for my food.

As for smoking, seat belts, helmets, etc. it's not the fault of a few dopes who don't do anything to protect themselves; it's the fault of the out of control medical costs with the drug companies leading the way. Besides, the point is to let people make their own judgements and through education, maybe people will listen instead of ramming laws down their throats.

I don't care too much about tolls as they don't effect me, only when I travel, but the roads in NH are a thousand times better than Mass roads. You guys are doing something right so leave it alone. Mass raises tolls and the roads get worse. Don't even get me going on the Big Dig.

It's not a matter of being selfish. It's a matter of fiscal responsibility in a world rampant with overspending and mismangement. I pay out a lot of money every year to people who don't know how to spend it, or spend it in ways just to make themselves look better because they have "our best interest at heart". Crap, plain and simple.