Libertarian Leanings

Tornadoes

Four people were killed yesterday when tornadoes struck in Massachusetts.

Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency and ordered the National Guard to start digging out portions of Springfield, Westfield and surrounding communities. Two people were reported killed in Westfield, one in Brimfield and one in West Springfield, Patrick said.

The first tornado touched down about 4:30 p.m. in Springfield, the third-largest city in the state, said Chris Vaccaro, a spokesman for the National Weather Service.

Heavy winds churned the Connecticut River and the area was pounded by hail and driving rain.

A second tornado hit Springfield, 90 miles west of Boston, about 6:20 p.m., authorities said.

High winds took down trees as far north as Whitefield, New Hampshire.

Override Vote Delayed

The New Hampshire House delayed its vote to override Governor John Lynch's veto of House Bill 474, otherwise known as the right-to-work legislation.

Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt. R-Salem, said in explanation, "The Speaker looked at the House and who is present today and determined this is not the appropriate time."

Attendance in the House is at one of its highest levels of the year, with more than 375 members casting votes on most bills.

The decision was a likely indication that Speaker of the House William O'Brien could not round up the two-thirds supermajority he needs to override Gov. John Lynch's veto of House Bill 474.

O'Brien's attempt to close the House session without a veto vote prompted debate, but Republican members backed up the Speaker and he proceeded to wrap up business.

The New Hampshire bill prevents unions from collecting partial dues payments from non-union employees.

On May 25th

On May 25th the New Hampshire legislature will attempt to override Governor John Lynch's veto of the recently passed "right to work" law.

House Speaker Bill O'Brien says he is "cautiously optimistic" that he can gain the two-thirds majority to do so.

This would be a landmark victory for the right-to-work movement. All other Northeastern states operate under forced-union rules, so the Granite State would gain a decisive competitive advantage over its neighbors in attracting investment and jobs. "Passing right to work on top of not having an income tax could make us the Hong Kong of the region," Mr. O'Brien says. The precedent would put enormous pressure on Maine and Massachusetts to follow. We assume Vermont is hopeless and prefers to be a tourist and natural history museum.

Right-to-work laws don't outlaw unions. They simply allow each individual worker to decide whether or not to join the union. In compulsory-union states, workers employed in unionized workplaces are required to have union dues withheld from their paychecks as a condition of employment, so there's big money at stake here for unions.

John Lynch is a Democrat.  The New Hampshire legislature has a Republican majority in both houses.

Another Union Payoff - More Vote Buying

In New Hampshire, where only 8.7 percent of construction workers are unionized, a $35 million federal construction project comes with union strings attached.  The Labor Department will employ a "project labor agreement" on its plan to build a new Job Corps Center in Manchester.  Union representation will be mandated on the project, and nonunion employees will be forced to pay dues and contribute to a union pension fund.

Sen. Judd Gregg, New Hampshire Republican, said the scarcity of local unionized workers and a separate requirement that contractors must have completed three previous successful PLA projects to qualify to bid will essentially prevent local firms from competing for the Manchester project.

"The administration's decision to discriminate against successful and independent construction firms simply because New Hampshire employees choose to work in a union-free workplace and not bow down to the demands of Big Labor is extremely unfair to our state," the senator said, calling on the administration to revoke the PLA.

"In a time of economic hardship, it is simply absurd to discriminate against local contractors and construction workers for the benefit of national labor unions," he added.

According to Brett McMahon of Miller & Long Co. Inc., which is the country's largest concrete subcontractor and the largest employer of construction workers in the Mid-Atlantic region, unions are exploiting workers.

"In order to go to work, you have to pay for it," Mr. McMahon said.

It certainly fits the Obama style.

Tea Partying in Manchester, New Hampshire

Conservatives really are... well I guess you could say we're a conservative bunch. The Tax Day Tea Party at Victory Park in Manchester, New Hampshire yesterday drew about a thousand, give or take.

As you can see it was a pretty tame affair. No broken store front windows, no burning cars, no police in riot gear.  Get a look at this angry seething mob in the picture below. The Department of Homeland Security will probably want to keep a close watch on that guy with the "Collect more taxes, why?" sign.

The guys from WMUR Channel 9 were probably thinking the same thing as they looked for a story in the crowd. Give 'em credit, though. They showed up with a camera

Of course, while the celebration in Manchester was not exactly a seismic event, combine it with the rest of the Tea Parties that were going on at the same time nationwide and you've got a real story. That is, if you want to report it. WMUR and the Manchester Union Leader chose to report it. 'MANCHESTER – The spirit of tax fighter Mel Thomson inspired tea party protesters assembled at Victory Park to chant "Ax the tax! Ax the tax!" At the Tax Day rally, one of a half dozen held yesterday around the state, residents expressed their disgust for federal spending and corporate bailouts. Protesters waved signs that criticized President Barack Obama's first days in office, warned about socialism and questioned the whereabouts of "personal responsibility." U.S. flags. Black balloons. Rousing soap box speeches. It was the very picture of grass-roots activism, with a heavy Republican tilt. Organizers said they hope it is more than a grand photo opportunity, that the people who turned out in large numbers continue to mobilize and to hold their elected local, state and federal officials accountable. They had the right audience. "Everybody's ticked off," said Karen Poza of Manchester. She said she objected to the federal economic stimulus spending and the social agenda of the majority party on Capitol Hill. Holding a sign, "Stimulate business, not government," Lisa Freudenberg of Wolfeboro said the protest cuts across party lines. Though a Republican, she said unchecked government spending must be "a people issue." "Enough is enough already," she said. "No more taxes."' The mainstream press has spun the Tea Parties as nothing more than right wing anger over the prospect of higher taxes.  But taxes are the issue only to the extent that they provide the average citizen with at least some leverage for forcing politicians to hold down government spending.  It's the spending that's the real problem.  And spending in itself is not necessarily all that bad.  The big danger we face, now more than ever, is that our tax dollars are about to be spent lavishly for the benefit of a particular political party.  Like all "stimulus" bills, this one is designed to keep incumbents in office, and as it happens the incumbents who are pushing the stimulus are Democrats.  We are losing control of our elected representatives, if we haven't lost it already. The tea parties offer some hope that we may get it back, but the average citizen has to stay engaged.  Otherwise America as we know it could very well disappear, and the America that comes after is not likely to be a better place than the one one we have now. Update:  Karl Rove makes some good observations in his Wall Street Journal column. Mr. Obama plans to boost federal spending 25% while nearly tripling the national debt over 10 years. Americans know that this kind of spending will have economic consequences, including new taxes being imposed by the new progressives. It hasn't gotten a ton of attention, but people are fed up with the complexity of their tax code and ready to do something about it. The Tax Foundation's 2009 Annual Tax Attitudes (which was conducted Feb. 18-27, by Harris) shows us that many Americans are willing to trade popular deductions for lower rates and a simpler code. There's also been a flurry of interest among Americans in replacing the current system with a national sales tax or a flat tax. The open question is whether Republicans will be boosted by the nascent tea-party movement. House Republicans smartly offered a proposed spending plan this year that would freeze nondefense discretionary spending, suspend earmarks for five years, and reform entitlements. But cutting spending won't be enough. Taxes matter -- and will matter more in the coming years. The 2009 Tax Foundation survey found that Americans believe that taxes should, on average, take just 15.6% of a person's wages. And 88% of Americans in the same poll believe that there should be a cap on all federal, state, and local taxes of 29% or less -- there is still a constituency out there that will favor tax cutting politicians. But to tap into that constituency Republicans will have to link lower taxes to money in voters' pockets, and economic growth and jobs. They must explain why the GOP approach will lead to greater prosperity. Such arguments are not self-executing. They require leaders to make them, time and again, as Reagan once did. Some liberals believe that the recession has made tax-and-spend issues passé. But political movements are often a reaction against aggressive overreach by those in power. Mr. Obama's response to the financial crisis -- a government power grab and budget explosion -- has put spending and taxes back on the front burner. The tea parties are an early manifestation of that. More is sure to follow. We're witnessing a blatant power grab, the most aggressive overreach in the history of our nation.  If we don't succeed in blocking it now, we never will.

Tightening up in New Hampshire

According to Rasmussen's presidential polling, Barack Obama's 10-point lead in New Hampshire has now been cut to four. 

The presidential race in New Hampshire has grown closer, with Barack Obama now leading John McCain 50% to 46%, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state.

At the beginning of the month, the Democrat held a ten point lead over his opponent, which shifted New Hampshire from “toss-up” to “leans Democratic” in the Rasmussen Balance of Power Calculator. In the eight polls prior to October, Obama has held the lead in five, McCain in three.

Voters in New Hampshire are divided on who they trust more on the top issue of the economy, with Obama holding the edge, 46% to 45%. While 43% agree with Obama’s idea that spreading the wealth around would be good for everybody, 44% disagree.

Voters trust McCain more on national security and the War on Terror by a 53% to 43% margin.

It speaks volumes that the economic meltdown has not worked more to Obama's benefit than it has.  Why is there still a race?  Well, for one thing, reality may finally be sinking in.  Obama is an attractive candidate whose election would send a positive message to the world about the kind of country the U.S. really is.  The fact is, that message has been sent.  Obama is a great symbol, but now people are beginning to recognize that Obama, the man, has next to no resume, and what little there is on it does not resonate with poeple.  Mix in his gaffe prone running mate who warns that a crisis is waiting to pounce within the first six months of an Obama presidency, and voters become understandably worried.  They ought to be.  We have a disaster waiting to happen.

On a personal note...

In case you were wondering what became of Libertarian Leanings last week, I bought a new house and spent the week moving into it.  That left no time for posting, even if I had the ambition to do any.  I didn't.  I can't remember when I've worked that hard.

Based on personal observation, I'd have to say, "What credit crisis?"  I had no trouble getting a mortgage.  I'd also like to note that in my area, Nashua, New Hampshire, the real estate market seems to be picking up a bit.  Not only that, the Union Leader is reporting that our job market isn't all that bad.

It might take more time and persistence to find them, but there are jobs out there for new college graduates, experts say.

"We're hearing that the job market is OK, maybe good, but not great this year," said Thomas Horgan, executive director of the New Hampshire College and University Council. "And there definitely are jobs out there for students, but it's more competitive this year than in the past years."

I'm looking forward to a good summer in our new digs.

John Sununu

P.J. O'Rourke discussed political philosophy with Senator John Sununu, Republican of New Hampshire, who is up for re-election this fall.  Says O'Rourke,

The problem on the left is, now that Karl Marx has forsaken them, they have no philosophy. Thank goodness. Think what evil creeps liberals would be if their plans to enfeeble the individual, exhaust the economy, impede the rule of law, and cripple national defense were guided by a coherent ideology instead of smug ignorance. As for our side, conservatism is a gut reaction for most of us, and a done deal for the rest. The moral philosophy of American politics can be explained briefly and clearly, and, the Constitution being written, it has been.

Where is there a philosopher in Washington?

For O'Rourke's money, Sununu is that philosopher.  The Senator explained what made him run for office in the first place.

When the New Hampshire House seat came open [in 1996], I looked at the other people who'd announced. I came to the conclusion that if I didn't run, New Hampshire would be represented by another trial lawyer." Good enough for this reporter. (Incidentally Senator Sununu's opponent in this fall's race, former governor Jean Shaheen, is not a trial lawyer--her husband is. Shaheen herself is a veteran of the only institution capable of making our lives more miserable than the law courts. She was a school teacher.)

We here in New Hampshire have a good man in Washington in John Sununu.

Latest numbers from New Hampshire

As of Sunday, Rasmussen's poll numbers on the Republican side show John McCain with a slim lead over Mitt Romney.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in New Hampshire shows John McCain earning 32% of the vote while Mitt Romney attracts 30%.

The survey was conducted on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. All interviews were conducted after the Iowa caucuses and before last night’s debate.

Rasmussen Reports will continue to poll in New Hampshire each day until the Primary and report results on a two-day rolling average basis.

The current poll shows Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul each earning 11% of the vote with Rudy Giuliani close behind at 9%. Fred Thompson earns 4%, some other candidate attracts 2%, and 3% are not sure.

A 2-point difference represents a virtual tie between McCain and Romney.  It should be noted that McCain has been the beneficiary of the daily endorsement of the Union Leader.  If the Union Leader published more than once a day they would have a new endorsement for McCain more than once a day.  Here is a flavor of today's edition.

His determination to do a few things well reminds us of another great American President, James K. Polk.

Polk set four goals for his administration - obtaining California for the United States, lowering the tariff, ending the dispute with Britain over the Oregon Territory's borders, and restoring an independent Treasury Department. He achieved them all in one term and retired.

Without Polk's focus, determination and leadership, America might not be a bi-coastal nation today. We owe a great deal to his vision and his decision to accomplish difficult tasks in a single term.

John McCain has a similar determination. Freed from the need to run for a second term, he could accomplish great feats. Let's give him the chance.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen's poll numbers say on Democratic side it's not so close.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in New Hampshire shows Barack Obama earning 39% of the vote while Hillary Clinton attracts 27%. The survey was conducted on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. All interviews were conducted after the Iowa caucuses and before last night’s debate.

Rasmussen Reports will continue to poll in New Hampshire each day until the Primary and report results on a two-day rolling average basis. The two-day results shows that Obama has picked up two percentage points since yesterday's release while Clinton’s support is unchanged.

The current poll shows John Edwards with 18%, Bill Richardson with 8%, and Dennis Kucinich with 3% support.

With a 12-point lead Obama looks to take New Hampshire handily.  On the downside, that doesn't mean we can expect those Clinton people to finally just go away.

Finding inspiration in New Hampshire

Iranian students displayed the New Hampshire state motto during a demonstration at Tehran University yesterday.

This comes via Power Line, which also has a post on the New Hampshire motto here.

PAUL adds: General Stark had a way with words. Before leading his troops to victory in the battle of Bennington, which set up the decisive defeat of the British at Saratoga, he told his men, "Tonight, the American flag floats over yonder hill, or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!"

The motto has been the subject of some controversy over the years due to a sense of embarrassment that New Hampshire liberals seem to suffer over being somehow connected to the words, "Live free or die."