Skip: August 2009 Archives

Date:        9/9/09 (Wednesday)

Time:       5:30pm   Buffet Dinner ($14)
                6:30pm   Meeting

Place:      Shanghai Restaurant
                331 South Main Street
                Laconia, NH
                (603) 524-4100
                (see map below)

Agenda:

Former NH Attorney General, Kelly Ayotte, will be speaking to the group.  She is contemplating (and is exploring) entering the race to replace Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH).  

Her website is here.

Map to the Shang-hai restaurant:
    (map)

It speaks for itself!

Please send out this Resolution that was passed unanimously by the RNC in San Diego on Friday.  We need to spread this far and wide and I'd appreciate your forwarding it to your entire list.

The chief sponsor, Solomon Yue, the National Committeeman from Oregon, wrote the following reason for the resolution:

Obama's socialist care is not only another run-away entitlement that could push this Republic to a point of no return, but also a social engineering to control every aspect of our daily life through taxation, mandates, and regulations.

If the Congress passes Obamacare, 46% of the national economy will be under direct control of the U.S. government. The federal government already controls banks, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and the mortgage industry, which represent 26% of the national economy. The healthcare industry alone represents nearly 20% of the national economy.

As you can see, Obama and Democrats are marching this nation toward a European-style Socialism, e.g., the German government controls 47% of its national economy.

Thanks,

Phyllis Woods
National Committeewoman for NH on the RNC

WHEREAS, Socialism is defined as government control of industries, centralized economic decision-making, and engaging in social engineering via mandates; President Obama's health care program, "Obamacare", with a price tag of $1.6 trillion (though only covering 1/3 of uninsured), satisfies the definition of socialism with its goal to achieve single-payer socialized medicine; and,

WHEREAS, Obamacare will result in employers dropping employees' coverage, or decreasing their number of employees, force private insurers out of business, force patients to enroll in Obamacare, force physicians to accept Obamacare patients, and allow government to set service fees; and

WHEREAS, physicians already lose money servicing government patients on Medicare and Medicaid now, Obamacare will increase the problem by further reducing Medicare and Medicaid fees to doctors and hospitals, and will further discourage our brightest students from entering the medical field and will bring a halt to medical innovation; and,

WHEREAS, Obamacare, using the excuse of controlling health care costs, will take away the freedom to choose one's doctor and interfere in the individual's responsibility with his/her doctor to make personal health care decisions, and will result in the government controlling every aspect of American lives; and,

WHEREAS, Obamacare will practice redistribution of wealth by taxing employees' medical benefits and politically incorrect lifestyle choices (such as soda and salty foods), by imposing a federal sales tax, and/or by increased deficit spending with borrowed money, bankrupting this country with this run-away entitlement train; and,

WHEREAS, the result of Obamacare will be government control of 20% of the national economy by taking over health care in addition to the Federal government's direct control of banks, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and mortgage industry; and,

WHEREAS, the future of Obamacare is seen everywhere socialized medicine is practiced (such as the UK, Canada, and Australia) where the results are bureaucracy in decision-making, rationed care, life-threatening delays, and denied care; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, the members of the Republican National Committee recognize that Obamacare is marching America further towards Socialism and urge that it be stopped before it destroys the best medical care system the world has ever known; and, further be it,

RESOLVED, that true cost savings be achieved by tort reform so physicians won't need to practice defensive medicine with unnecessary referrals and expensive tests and insurance companies won't pay out large settlements for frivolous lawsuits; and further be it,

RESOLVED, that true cost savings can be achieved by eliminating most of the existing1900 government mandates (such as in vitro fertilization and marriage counseling) for non-essential care; and further be it,

RESOLVED, that true cost savings be achieved by allowing Medicare patients to opt out of Medicare program to pay for their own catastrophic insurance, and allowing Medicare participating physicians to discount their service fees for cash payments; and further be it,

RESOLVED, that all individuals be allowed tax deductibility for their medical insurance premiums and cash payments for medical and drug expenses, without any threshold of a percentage of adjusted gross income or total income limits; and that everyone be encouraged to enroll in health savings accounts, which receive tax treatment similar to IRAs; and further be it,

RESOLVED, that this resolution will be mailed to each congressional Republican, Republican state party, and the media, and posted in the RNC website. 

President Obama told the American people in his weekend address he wanted to "start dispelling the outlandish rumors" about the Democrats' risky health care experiment.

I couldn't agree more with the President.

There is no place for outlandish rumor or outrageous rhetoric in the debate for the affordable and accessible health care reform we all want.

Below are some facts that will help you counter the dishonest rhetoric Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and liberal special interest groups are disseminating in their attempt to silence dissent:

• Rhetoric: President Obama Promises Americans Can Keep Their Current Health Care Coverage. "You know, the interesting thing is we've actually been very clear on what we want. I've said I want to make sure if you have health care you are going to keep it..." (PBS's "The Newshour With Jim Lehrer," 7/20/09)

• FACT: Analysis Shows Over 88 Million People To Lose Current Insurance Under Government Health Care Takeover. "Under current law, there will be about 158.1 million people who are covered under an employer plan as workers, dependents or early retirees in 2011. If the act were fully implemented in that year, about 88.1 million workers would shift from private employer insurance to the public plan." (John Shelis, Vice President, Lewin Group, "Analysis Of The July 15 Draft Of The American Affordable Health Choices Act Of 2009," 7/17/09)

• Rhetoric: President Obama Pledges Americans Can Keep Their Doctor. "If you like your plan and you like your doctor, you won't have to do a thing. You keep your plan. You keep your doctor...We're not going to mess with it." (President Barack Obama, Remarks At White House Press Conference, The White House, 6/23/09)

• FACT: Mayo Clinic Says Government-Run Health Care Will Force Doctors To Drop Patients. '[L]awmakers are on track to approve across-the-board federal payment reductions of $155 billion over 10 years for hospitals ... Mayo and similar health systems object to the sweeping cuts. 'Across-the-board cuts will be harmful to everyone and we think it is particularly bad to penalize the high-value organizations,' said Jeff Korsmo, executive director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center. 'We will have to violate our values in order to stay in business and reduce our access to government patients.'" (Phil Galewitz, "'Model' Health Systems Press Case For Medicare Fix In Reform," Kaiser Health News, 7/20/09)

• Rhetoric: President Obama Promises No Additional Taxes On Middle Class. "What I've said is, and I have stuck to this point, I don't want to see additional tax burdens on people making $250,000 a year or less." (NBC's "Today Show," 7/21/09)

• FACT: Democrats' Plan Imposes 2.5% Tax On Uninsured Individuals. "The penalty assessed on people who would be subject to the mandate but did not obtain insurance would equal 2.5 percent of the difference between their adjusted gross income (modified to include tax-exempt interest and certain other sources of income) and the tax filing threshold ..." (Douglas W. Elmendorf, "Preliminary Analysis Of The Insurance Coverage Specifications Provided By The House Tri-Committee Group," Letter To Chairman Rangel, 7/17/09)

The Republicans want an honest and open debate about how to reform health care, but it is the Democrats who do not want to have a legitimate discussion on the issues. Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and their liberal special interest cronies are resorting to calling concerned citizens who have questions about their health care schemes "astroturf," "un-American," and even "political terrorists."

One White House aide went so far to say "if you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard" when coaching Senate Democrats on the ways of "Chicago land politics."

It's time for the President to practice what he preached on the campaign trail and respect all voices in the health care debate.

Help the RNC spread the facts about the Obama Democrats' dishonest rhetoric and stop their efforts to silence dissent by forwarding this email to your friends, and if you can, make a contribution of whatever you can afford to the RNC today.

And for more information about Obama's government-run health care experiment, go to www.BarackObamaExperiment.com. Skip, there's too much at stake for Democrats and their left-wing allies to dominate the debate on health care reform with misinformation, name calling and scare tactics. Please help Republicans fight back today!

Sincerely,

Michael Steele
Chairman, Republican National Committee

P.S. Skip, over the past 8 years, Democrats repeatedly claimed dissent is the highest form of patriotism. Now that Americans across the country are speaking out against the Obama Democrats' risky government-run health care experiment, they call anyone who disagrees with them "un-American."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2006

Contact: Alicia Preston
ap@theprestongroup.org
646-645-9373

 

 Manchester, NH – What a difference three years in The Beltway makes. Carols Shea-Porter made a name for herself in the 1st Congressional District of New Hampshire, by attending Town Hall Meetings hosted by her predecessor, Congressman Jeb Bradley, for years. Now, however, in the midst of one of the most significant and controversial discussions in Congress, while her colleagues are hosting health care town halls across the nation, Carol Shea-Porter refuses to face her voters.

 According to the Portsmouth Herald today, Shea-Porter is foregoing the traditional town hall style format of meeting face to face with voters in exchange for a controlled, over-the-phone discussion to prevent dissent on the issue of Health Care. “The purpose of town halls is to allow members of Congress to hear from their constituents, provide information about legislation, and to exchange ideas and perspectives. While it is unfortunate that a small group of people are trying to disrupt this democratic process…” Jamie Radice, a Shea-Porter spokeswoman, Town hall meetings in the line of fire, The Portsmouth Herald, August 10. 2009

This philosophy of refusing to allow citizens to express their dissent of proposed policies in Congress, flies directly in the face of Congresswoman Shea-Porters past actions, when she was just a citizen, and not a member of Congress. "I always believe in speaking up. I think that's what we're supposed to do," Carol Shea-Porter, September 19, 2006 Tuesday, Shea-Porter speaks of Bush protest; Social Security, By BEVERLEY WANG, Associated Press Writer.

“Congresswoman Shea-Porter is not affording the citizens of her District the same access that she herself not only was afforded, but touted, “  said 1st District Congressional Candidate Frank Guinta. “For a person who spent years exercising her right to free speech and dissent, it is unthinkable she would withhold that right from others.  It appears she clearly is afraid of facing the opposition she provided to her predecessor.”

 

CAROL SHEA-PORTER AND TOWN HALLS

May 04, 2006
Boston Globe
N.H. DEMOCRATS SEE CHANCE FOR WIN
BY JOHN LAIDLER

“I know Jeb Bradley better than anybody else does," she said. "I have been challenging him in his Town Hall meetings for over two years now…”

September 11, 2006
Concord Monitor

Four seek party's approval; Iraq and health care among their concerns
by WALTER ALARKON

“She said she has attended many of Bradley's town hall meetings to question his support for the war in Iraq.”

September 13, 2006
Associated Press

Shea-Porter upsets Craig for 1st District Democratic nomination
By BEVERLEY WANG

“She studied Bradley by attending his town hall meetings around the state for 2 ½ years.”

September 19, 2006
Associated Press

Shea-Porter speaks of Bush protest; Social Security
By BEVERLEY WANG

"I always believe in speaking up. I think that's what we're supposed to do," she [Carol Shea-Porter] said.

November 9, 2006
The Associated Press

Carol Shea-Porter's unusual journey to U.S. Congress
By BEVERLEY WANG

"We'd been going to these town hall meetings, and we were waiting for somebody to step up who knew his record ... but we just didn't see this person emerge," she [Carol Shea-Porter] said

­­­­­­­­­­­­November 15, 2006
The Boston Globe

A win from the blue Unknown tapped a Democratic tide in N.H.
By Rick Klein

“She spoke to crowds of as few as three, encouraged her neighbors to spread the word, dogged her opponent at town hall meetings.”

Members of the press wishing to speak to Frank Guinta may contact Alicia Preston at the phone number or email listed above.

Location: J.J. Goodwin's Restaurant (upstairs dining room), 769 Suncook Valley

                Road (Route 28), Center Barnstead, NH 03225 - (603) 269-8300

 

This month’s discussion will focus on the New Hampshire GOP.  Looking back at the last couple of elections, and looking forward to November 2010, there are a lot of opinions about what’s best for our country, our state, and the GOP.  Leading the discussion will be our special guests, BJ Perry and Chris Sununu.  As the Field Manager of the NH GOP, BJ’s role involves meeting with local town GOP Committees all over New Hampshire to assist Governor Sununu in his efforts to unify the Party.  Chris, son of the NH GOP Chairman, is a Consultant with JHS Consultants and is a full time executive volunteer with the NH GOP.

THE WINNIPESAUKEE REPUBLICAN WOMEN HOST

A MORNING SOCIAL WITH

ANN ROMNEY

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH 2009
10 – 11 a.m.

THE WOLFETRAP
19 BAY STREET, WOLFBORO, NH

The The Winnipesaukee Republican Women invite all interested women to a casual morning social in the gazebo at the Wolfetrap with complimentary refreshments.

Ann Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts and wife of Presidential candidate and former Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney, will be the featured guest on Friday, August 14th from 10-11 a.m.

Ann Romney places primary importance on her role as a wife, mother and grandmother. As First Lady of Massachusetts, she continued her work on behalf of disadvantaged women and children in her community and abroad. Come learn what it was like to be a wife on the campaign trail for the Presidential nomination as well as all the personal accomplishments of this remarkable woman.

No Charge for Social

Dress – Casual

Come by Car or Boat to Back Bay
Free Docking facilities at the Wolfetrap

Stay for lunch and active discussion after at the Wolfetrap

The Winnipesaukee Republican Women are hosting their inaugural social Friday, August 14^th  at 10 a.m. at the Wolfetrap in Wolfeboro,NH.  We are fortunate to have Ann Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts and wife of former Governor Mitt Romney.

Women have always played a significant role in NH politics.  Moving into the 2010 election cycle, it is critical that we have groups of women in all sections of the state who will function as focal points.  As a growing area of permanent residents, the Lakes Region is becoming a region where we will have greater support for our candidates, especially to retake the 1st District Congressional seat.

Please join us on Friday for an enjoyable morning with other women and bring a friend.  Please forward this email to any other women whom you feel may be interested in attending.

In order to plan for refreshments, would you please RSVP either to me at jfaceg1@hotmail.com  or to Gigi Giambanco, the Secretary of the Winni Republicans, at gigi.pio@gmail.com.

 

Looking forward to seeing you on Friday,

 

Jan Face Glassman

New Hampshire Union Leader
August 12, 2009
Editorial


At least twice in the past week, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has justified her support for President Obama's health care reform initiative by pointing out that only two major health insurers do business in New Hampshire. She ought to know. She's the one responsible for that.

In 1994, legislators passed Senate Bill 711, sponsored by state Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The bill introduced what is called "community rating" to the state's health insurance market. Insurers in the small-group market (businesses with fewer than 100 employees) were forbidden from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and certain demographic factors. They were allowed to charge the old only three times what they charged the young.

At the time the law passed, 26 insurers offered coverage in New Hampshire's small-group market. Only eight years later, there were just five. Twelve years after the law passed, Rhode Island conducted a study of New Hampshire's health insurance market to see what legislators there could learn. They found that Shaheen's bill drove insurers out of the state and raised the cost of insurance for younger, healthier residents while lowering it for the old and sick.

A lack of government regulations is not the reason Granite Staters have so few health insurers to choose from. An excess of regulations is. And that excess was brought to us by Jeanne Shaheen.

Trust her on health insurance reform again? We don't think so.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
August 5, 2009   
(603) 225-9341


State Court Filings Admit Budget “Uncertainty” Threatens Bond Rating, Lynch And Democrat Leadership Still Won’t Consider “Plan B”


CONCORD – As Governor Lynch, Senate President Larsen (D-Concord) and Speaker Norelli (D-Portsmouth) continue to ignore the JUA budget crisis, the State admitted in court papers filed today that the “uncertainty” created by their refusal to develop a “Plan B’ is threatening New Hampshire’s bond rating. According to a motion for an expedited appeal filed with the State Supreme Court, the chaos created by Governor Lynch’s inaction is causing “bond rating agencies that regularly evaluate the State’s finances,” to lose confidence in New Hampshire.

“Governor Lynch, Senate President Larsen and Speaker Norelli need to take their heads out of the sand and finally admit that the State is facing another fiscal crisis created by their irresponsible budget,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “Their inaction and failure to provide leadership during this crisis is creating uncertainty that threatens New Hampshire’s bond rating and the State’s long-term fiscal stability.”

The State’s court motion also admits that "the Legislature needs as much time as possible... to consider alternative budget reductions and funding options." Despite calls from the Union Leader (8/3), Concord Monitor (8/3), Nashua Telegraph (8/2) and Foster’s Daily Democrat (8/2) to develop a “Plan B,” Lynch and the Democrat Leadership are currently refusing to address the budget crisis. They are even refusing to acknowledge the Superior Court’s recent ruling that blocked their attempted theft of $110 million in private funds from the JUA.

“We have no crisis,” claimed House Finance Chairperson Marjorie Smith (D-Durham) yesterday in an interview with NHPR’s The Exchange. “There is no talk at all that I am aware of [about a ‘Plan B’] because the people who made the decision that this was a legitimate way to proceed continue to believe that it is a legitimate way to proceed…There is no ‘Plan B.’”

Republican leaders in the House and Senate repeatedly warned Governor Lynch that his attempt to steal private money to balance the state budget was unconstitutional and would likely be overturned by the courts. After the Superior Court initially froze the JUA money on June 29, 2009, Republican senate minority leader Peter Bragdon immediately called on the Governor to veto the budget and work on a new plan that excluded the disputed funds. Lynch ignored Bragdon’s warning and signed the Democrats’ irresponsible budget on June 30 – knowing full well that it would be out of balance on day one. Senate President Larsen has also brushed off calls for a special session to address the crisis, saying that she sees “no immediate need,” for it (Larsen Statement, 7/31).


CLICK HERE FOR STATE’S MOTION FOR AN APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO OF REP SMITH DENYING THE JUA BUDGET CRISIS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
August 4, 2009   
(603) 225-9341


Hodes Pretending He’s A “Maverick” Despite Blindly Voting With Democrat Party Bosses Over 96% Of The Time

CONCORD – In another indication of the increasing unpopularity of the Democrats’ policies, Congressman Paul Hodes yesterday attempted to distance himself from President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). In an interview with the Nashua Telegraph, Hodes desperately tried to portray himself as a “maverick,” even though he has marched in lockstep with his party and voted with the Democrat Majority over 96% of the time.

“Paul Hodes has been a loyal foot soldier in the Democrats’ disastrous efforts to raise taxes on the middle class, increase runaway government spending and bankrupt our country,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “Hodes’ laughable attempt to portray himself as a ‘maverick’ is just a dishonest maneuver to obscure his reckless and irresponsible actions in Washington.”

While distancing himself from the Democrat President, Hodes tried to align himself with fiscally conservative Republican Senator Judd Gregg. According to the Telegraph, he appeared “anxious” to demonstrate that “he shares Gregg’s desire to curb federal spending.”

But during his time in Washington, Hodes has blindly supported Obama’s reckless fiscal agenda, voting for the President’s bloated $3.5 trillion budget, his $410 billion earmark-laden appropriations bill, and the disastrous $787 billion stimulus bill. Senator Gregg has opposed all of these irresponsible pieces of legislation.

“Paul Hodes isn’t fooling anybody with his ridiculous attempt to cover up his votes for President Obama’s budget-busting policies,” said Williams. “The people of New Hampshire realize that he has been a reliable vote for the Democrats’ disastrous fiscal agenda that creates record deficits and imposes devastating new taxes on working families.”

Hodes’ desperate effort to distance himself from the President comes one week before Obama is rumored to be making a visit to the Granite State.


PAUL HODES HAS BLINDLY SUPPORTED HIS PARTY OVER 96% OF THE TIME DURING HIS TIME IN WASHINGTON

In The 110th Congress, Paul Hodes Voted With The Democrat Party 97.9% Of The Time. (The Washington Post Votes Database, http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/house/party-voters/, Accessed 2/4/09)

Thus Far In The 111th Congress, Paul Hodes Has Voted With The Democrat Party 94.8% Of The Time. (The Washington Post Votes Database)

PAUL HODES HAS SUPPORTED THE DEMOCRATS’ BUDGET-BUSTING BILLS

Hodes Voted For President Obama’s Massive $3.5 Trillion Budget. (H. Con. Res. 85, CQ Vote #192: Adopted 233-196: R 0-176; D 233-20, 4/2/09, Hodes Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #216: Adopted 233-193: R 0-176; D 233-17, 4/29/09, Hodes Voted Yea)

Obama’s Agenda “Would Force The Nation To Borrow Nearly $9.3 Trillion Over The Next 10 Years To Fund The President’s Priorities In Health Care, Education And Other Areas, According To An Analysis Released Friday By The Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.” (Lori Montgomery, “Obama To Pursue Budget Goals On Hill,” The Washington Post, 3/24/09

Hodes Voted For The Earmark-Laden $410 Billion FY09 Omnibus Appropriation Bill. (H.R. 1105, CQ Vote #86: Passed 245-178: R 16-158; D 229-20, 4/25/09, Hodes Voted Yea)

“The Bill Includes An 8.5 Percent Across-The-Board Increase Over Last Year And Billions Of Dollars Worth Of Pet Projects.” (Trish Turner, “Senate Poised to Pass $410 Billion Spending Bill Tuesday,” Fox News, 3/9/09)

Taxpayers For Common Sense Identified More Than 8,500 Earmarks In The Omnibus Worth $7.7 Billion. (Taxpayers For Common Sense Website, www.taxpayer.net, Accessed 3/9/09)

Hodes Voted For The $787 Billion So-Called “Stimulus” Bill. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote # 70: Adopted 246-183: R 0-176; D 246-7, 2/13/09, Hodes Voted Yea)

Hodes Labeled AIG As Standing For “Arrogance, Incompetence And Greed” During A Congressional Hearing. (Capital Markets, Insurance And Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee Of The House Financial Services Committee, U.S. House Of Representatives, Hearing, 3/18/09)

But Despite His Publicized Outrage At The Bonuses, Paul Hodes Voted In Favor Of The Legislation That Protected Those Same Bonuses. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote # 70: Adopted 246-183: R 0-176; D 246-7, 2/13/09, Hodes Voted Yea)

I just saw this on the Bow Taxpayers website.

The tax and spend liberal socialist democrats are at it again…. TAX….TAX….TAX…..TAX….SPEND…..SPEND….SPEND…..

WHERE ARE THE SO CALLED REPUBLICANS????

ARE THEY ABSENT? OR DID THEY SEE THEIR SHADOW AND ARE HIDING?

See the next post

We have received an Alert from the NH TEA Party Coalition concerning our local politicians and what they are doing during their Congressional August Recess.

If you attend one of these townhalls that the NH TEA Party Coalition have listed, the folks listed will be wearing wearing their yellow t-shirts (similar to what you saw Doug Lamber and Skip Murphy wear at the last meeting) to identify themselves.

Thank you,

Webmaster


From the NH TEA Party Coalition:

This is the message we are sending out for attending Congressional  Town Halls during the recess.  Please pass it on if you know anyone or any group who is not on the eblast list.

Shaheen has dozens of these planned for towns all across NH!  Hodes is sure to have more, and Shea-Porter too even though we cannot find any for her right now.

- Webmaster, NH TEA Party Coalition

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE NH TEA PARTY COALITION

THERE ARE NOW NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND "TOWN HALLS" ACROSS NH., including a POSSIBLE, repeat, POSSIBLE visit by the President on or around a window of time starting August 11. We want to be especially 'on alert' for that - so stay tuned!

NH-TPC activists WILL be planning to be present at these locations on WEDS AND THURS:

JEANNE SHAHEEN STAFF

HEALTH CARE FORUM

HAMPSTEAD TOWN HALL
HAMPSTEAD, NH
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 2009
FROM 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

MATT MURPHY AND JANE AITKEN WILL ATTEND
Please try to be outside by 12:15 PM
Bring appropriate signs, be prepared for rain.*
CAP AND TRADE and HEALTH CARE are the issues
WATCH WEBSITE for last-minute cancellations.
WATCH TWITTER for last-minute cancellations.

PAUL HODES STAFF

HEATH CARE FORUM

ATKINSON TOWN HALL
21 Academy Ave, ATKINSON, NH
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 2009
FROM 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM

ANDREW HEMINGWAY WILL ATTEND
Please try to be outside by 11:15 AM
Bring appropriate signs, be prepared for rain.*
HEALTH CARE is the issue
WATCH WEBSITE for last-minute cancellations.
WATCH TWITTER for last-minute cancellations.

----------------------------------------------------------

JEANNE SHAHEEN STAFF

HEALTH CARE FORUM

GRAFTON TOWN HALL
GRAFTON, NH
THURSDAY AUGUST 6, 2009
FROM 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Noon

ANDREW HEMINGWAY and OMER AHERN WILL ATTEND
Please try to be outside by 9:15 AM
Bring appropriate signs, be prepared for rain.*
CAP AND TRADE and HEALTH CARE are the issues
WATCH WEBSITE for last-minute cancellations.
WATCH TWITTER for last-minute cancellations.

----------------------------------------------------------

*Please remember to bring concise, readable, issue-appropriate signs, wear your yellow t-shirt if you have one, and comport yourself  properly at all times, both outside and inside any venue.

Details:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ryan Williams
August 3, 2009   
(603) 225-9341


Concord In Chaos As Lynch And Democrat Leadership Refuse To Address – Or Even Acknowledge – Budget Crisis

CONCORD – Six days after a Superior Court ruling blocked the attempted theft of $110 million from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (JUA), Governor John Lynch, Senate President Sylvia Larsen (D-Concord), and House Speaker Terie Norelli (D-Portsmouth) are refusing to address, or even acknowledge, the state’s critical budget crisis. According to published reports, Lynch and the Democrats are rejecting calls to develop a “Plan B,” and are pinning their hopes on the unlikely scenario that the state will somehow be allowed to steal the private funds to balance the state budget.

“No one is talking about how to fix a problem, because none of them acknowledge one exists,” reports the Union Leader (8/2).

“John Lynch and the Democrat Majorities are failing the people of New Hampshire by refusing to acknowledge – much less address – the serious budget crisis facing the state,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “It’s time for the Democrats in power to swallow their pride, admit that they made a serious error in proposing this irresponsible and unconstitutional revenue scheme, and work with Republicans to fix this problem immediately.”

Republican leaders in the House and Senate repeatedly warned Governor Lynch that his attempt to steal private money to balance the state budget was unconstitutional and would likely be overturned by the courts. After the Superior Court initially froze the JUA money on June 29, 2009, Republican senate minority leader Peter Bragdon immediately called on the Governor to veto the budget and work on a new plan that excluded the disputed funds. Lynch ignored Bragdon’s warning and signed the Democrats’ irresponsible budget on June 30 – knowing full well that it would be out of balance on day one. Senate President Larsen has also brushed off calls for a special session to address the crisis, saying that she sees “no immediate need,” for it (Larsen Statement, 7/31).

Lynch has “deflected repeated questions from reporters about contingency plans,” (AP, 6/30) in the event that the court would halt his irresponsible revenue scheme. Despite obvious indications that the state wouldn’t be able to claim the surplus funds, Lynch has “repeatedly declined to detail alternatives and instead emphasized his belief in the rightfulness of the state's claim to the money.” (Concord Monitor, 7/30) Since the decision was announced, Lynch has continued to dodge questions about how he plans to address the staggering deficit and has merely stated that he hopes the State Supreme Court would overturn the Superior Court’s decision.

“John Lynch needs to realize that while ‘hope’ may be a successful Democrat campaign slogan, it’s not an effective or responsible governing strategy,” said Williams. “The State of New Hampshire cannot afford for this Governor to sit on his hands and avoid developing a contingency plan while the court reviews his risky revenue gambit. That’s the same failed approach that got us into this budget mess in the first place.”