We are running on empty!

[kittynh]

well, no state budget in NH. Benson actually has my respect (even if he didn't have my vote). He is sticking to his campaign vow to keep taxes in line. While perhaps I can be more laid back than the average NH citizen, my fire dept in volunteer, there isn't much crime, and my kids attend private schools, I can't help but wonder just what this all means.

But, while much of the state is in "lynch Benson" mode, I find much about his tenacity admirable.

[Mercutio]

He's finding out that politics runs differently than business. His own party members (representatives) are calling him incompetent. Wanna lay odds on whether he'll get a second term?

[Thumper]

It's tough to hold to your campaign promises, especially when your supporters disapear.

But I wonder if him holding to this campaign promise to leave taxes alone is fiscally wise or just pig-headedness.

I honestly don't know. I do know that when Bush raised taxes after his pledge to not do so, he was doing what he felt was the right thing for the country.

[peptoabysmal]

Originally posted by kittynh
well, no state budget in NH. Benson actually has my respect (even if he didn't have my vote). He is sticking to his campaign vow to keep taxes in line. While perhaps I can be more laid back than the average NH citizen, my fire dept in volunteer, there isn't much crime, and my kids attend private schools, I can't help but wonder just what this all means.

But, while much of the state is in "lynch Benson" mode, I find much about his tenacity admirable.

Looks like the Democrats have sicked the Attorney General on Benson. (http://www.nh-democrats.org/)

I wonder why the Attorney General isn't investigating Gray Davis? Gray Davis has done a lot worse than failed to disclose part ownership of a golf course. Story (http://www.joplinglobe.com/archives/2002/020521/oped/story4.html)

[RandFan,Jr.]

Originally posted by peptoabysmal
Looks like the Democrats have sicked the Attorney General on Benson. (http://www.nh-democrats.org/)

I wonder why the Attorney General isn't investigating Gray Davis? Gray Davis has done a lot worse than failed to disclose part ownership of a golf course. Story (http://www.joplinglobe.com/archives/2002/020521/oped/story4.html) Damn, beat me to it.

Today we (California) failed to enact a budget and a judge has ruled that we can't borrow money since our constitution does not allow us to.

Odd when you consider that we had a huge surplus and the democrats YES the democrats spent the surplus and more. Now we are in a huge deficit and the democrats propose a budget that increases spending by 3 billion dollars. And get this, they call it a cut! Yep, that right. In Democratic mathematics an increase is a cut if you increase less than you originally wanted to increase.

And the solution that the Democrats are proposing, again, you guessed it, increased taxes. Oh well, we passed every single bond measure in the last election. I think people belive that we can borrow and spend as much as we want without any consequences.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by RandFan,Jr.
I think people belive that we can borrow and spend as much as we want without any consequences.

As opposed to Congressional Republicans who want to borrow and spend while cutting taxes?

The old "tax and spend" mantra never much for me. The people that were bandying it about were proposing "cut taxes and spend," so it never seemed to make much sense.

[RandFan,Jr.]

Originally posted by UnrepentantSinner
As opposed to Congressional Republicans who want to borrow and spend while cutting taxes? Great point and no argument. The Republicans in congress are spine less. I bow out of every argument made by libertarians who attack the Republicans for big government. I simply have no argument. The fact that they are a little more fiscally responsible than the Democrats is weak.

The point here is that I am talking about state Republicans who are taking a stand and want to cut spending.

Can we get a here, here? Come on, finally someone has the back bone and balls to say enough is enough. You can't spend 130% of revenue and twice the rate of inflation and then cry that we are out of money and demand that we raise taxes. The spending has to be cut and accusing the Republicans of wanting to destroy education, stop health care for the elderly and starve children is the most dishonest demagoguery that there is.

The old "tax and spend" mantra never much for me. The people that were bandying it about were proposing "cut taxes and spend," so it never seemed to make much sense. Two wrong don't make a right. "tax and spend" is WRONG. It is quite appropriate to point out such behavior.

The government should live with in its means. Not raise taxes and find ways to spend those taxes. Or spend until there is no more money and then demand that we have to raise taxes.

Until the average person becomes immune to the demagoguery of the left then Republicans (spineless bastards) will continue to increase the size of government. Just not at the rate that the Democrats want them to.

This post brought to you by RANDFAN!

[Crossbow]

Excuse me, but if memory serves, New Hampshire is one of the few states without a state income tax, yes?

If so, then it is no wonder that they are having fisical problems.

[kittynh]

LIVE FREE OR DIE!

Seriously, the last gov was a Democrat, and she could only get elected by promising never to pass an income tax. OR sales tax!

So, when you only rely on property taxes, it's a burden to people who have to pay more and more each year. In our town if you are a senior who can't afford the taxes they let you keep your home, but when you die the town gets the house.

No one who says they will enact a sales or income tax can get elected.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Originally posted by RandFan,Jr.
snip great salient points for no other reason than page space

One of the main reasons I avoid voting Republican (despite being ideologically a Rockefeller version) is because of the overwhelming influence of the religious right. Without that influence, I would vote straight party every time.

As it stands now, especially in Texas - and given the pork/payback/spending for re-election penchants of both parties - I hold my nose and vote for individuals based on a myriad of factors.

We need to cut and redirect spending period. We need to legislate to benefit all Americans, not just a few be they poor or rich. We need to have a state to help meet the health, education and welfare needs of those who truly need it -- but only those who earn it.

[Crossbow]

Well with no Sales Tax,
With no Income Tax, and
Using Real Estate Taxes to fund government functions I am not surprised that New Hampshire is having such problems.

Let me guess about something else too, I expect that the people of New Hampshire also want:
High quality public education,
Good police protection,
Well trained fire fighters,
Roads and bridges in good repair,
Long hours for public libraries and museums, and
Full access to all government services.

[kittynh]

You got is crossbow! We of course don't have any of that! our school system is in shambles, with the state supreme court saying that schools must be "adequately funded". So for the past at least 8 years everyone has argued over what that means.

Private education is simply a must in my area. There is only so long you can "fight the system", and then you start paying tuition. This further causes problems, as the public school is left with the kids from families that can't afford private school tuitions.

It's a beautiful area to live in, but not if you are poor.