Everyone is saying it. “Time flies!”
It is amazing how fast 2009 went by. In fact, I remember 2000 and the Y2K scare like it was yesterday. With the time flying by, what has happened?
I’m fortunate to have been able to get a great education at Elon University and work for a great company today. I am fortunate and thankful for the great friends and family I have. When I moved to New Hampshire several years ago, the fear ran through my veins. I didn’t know if I’d make the new bonds necessary to excel. I am thankful for the fact that I have been able to do so.
We have a lot of work to do in 2010 – as a nation, as a state, and me as an individual. We all set our great new year resolutions. Whether it be to “stop eating out all the time” or to “exercise five times per week”, it is usually commendable come the end of the year when you can say “I did it!”
But on the national and state level, there is “fat” and “too much eating” that must be trimmed through a program that does not include eating out on the taxpayer’s dime and includes exercise in the form of cutting spending in unnecessary places.
A workout program would include focusing on the areas in the Constitution. We should remain within the bounds of the Constitution. Let’s equate that to working on the six pack of abs. Not only do we have to work hard to cut the spending, but we have to keep our eyes on the spending that we keep going and ensure that the shape remains intact. Six pack abs are not easy to obtain and keeping them can be as challenging with the numerous outside interest groups. In New Hampshire government, I plan to stand up for the “six pack abs” and will never give in to any outside forces trying to influence me otherwise.
A proper diet means that we may not go out to eat for fast food every day of the week. In state government that could be correlated with coming up with a new law to “fatten the books” every day. Do we really need to legislate every aspect of the lives of individuals? I would argue that we need to legislate much less. That could mean that we put a hard stop on eating out and cook at home. “At home” in this instance means leaving the decisions up to individuals and families in their own homes. I’d take a home cooked meal (individual/family freedom) any day over the influences/decisions of the masses (eating out).
Crazy analogies? Sure. But the point is the same. We can always set our resolutions, but we must also plan to stick with them throughout the year. If we get to December 31, 2010 and can say that we met our resolutions to the highest degree, we’ll feel great as individuals – not only for our six pack abs and our great healthy diet – but also for the state and federal governments running within the means of liberty and the Constitution.
Here’s to a happy and prosperous new year!
Cam
I was communicating with a friend this morning about spending in New Hampshire and in Manchester.
The point was well made that much of the problem with local spending comes from the out of control spending in Washington DC.
From billions in foreign spending and misguided crime fighting under the alias of a “war on drugs” (former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson will certainly address this when he speaks in Concord on January’s 23rd), there is deep concern.
Lets imagine this wasteful spending is ended. Would it be eliminated from the budget or passed along to another department? Should we spend billions more on education and health care? Those are questions our elected officials in DC must answer.
When it comes to NH, we are very much affected by money in DC. The proposed seatbelt law comes to mind immediately. We are told that if we follow the wishes of the federal government, money is sure to follow. DC also does a job of hanging fruit in the mask of money if states adopt ideas in way of education, social policy, and so forth. Even more outlandish is the idea of the federal government offering a matching fund to states and municipalities, something many elected officials at all levels have trouble saying “no” to.
So answer me this. Does the money in DC grow on a tree? Or does it come from you and me? Certainly it comes from us. So the consequences of such legislation are found in more debt and less freedom. Do we really want more centralized government or would you join me in respecting the decisions of the state, outlined by strong belief in constitutional principles.
Back to the initial conversation. What do we do domestically if we were to stop unconstitional spending? The fear from outside the circles of liberty is that we would stop spending overnight on everything found to be unconstitutional. That to me is not realistic. I would encourage a process of weening off of government programs domestically and in the process show what a true free market can help provide in a true free society. If we do not open our minds and hearts to liberty, the unintended consequences as we perceive them will bankrupt our freedoms and finances.
Below is an editorial written by John H. Sununu and John Stephen. I supported John for Congress in 2008 and he has been very supportive of my efforts as well. The key here is corruption – whether it be in health care, national defense, or any other bill that comes before Washington DC or Concord NH. Downsize DC has been promoting the “Read the Bills Act”, which would require legislators to read bills before voting on them. All too often, bills are loaded with pork (corruption) that leads to increased spending. In some cases, this spending initially leads to increased borrowing. Others in politics are not afraid to simply spend more. The problem in DC is that spending when you’re account balance is in the negative trillions is detrimental to our society. In Concord, there is no money to be spent either. The scare here is that some in Concord believe this to be an opportune time to bring forth the prospect of an income and/or sales tax as the only thing that can “save” New Hampshire. It is my belief that getting spending under control and understanding the principles of liberty are key to success for all in our great state.
The editorial initially blames Democrats for the problems with this bill. While I would agree with this, we must also remember to never blindly look at Republicans when it comes to other bills that have passed in recent years.
Without further delay is a paragraph of and link to the editorial. Thank you to Mr. Sununu and Mr. Stephen for putting this one together.
John H. Sununu and John Stephen: A bad bill born from Washington corruption
THOSE FOLLOWING the recent passage of the health-care reform legislation in the U.S. Senate have been treated to a perfect example of why congressional approval ratings are rapidly approaching historical lows. The events of the past two weeks have shown that power politics and corruption continue to run this Democrat-controlled Congress.
Read more by clicking here.
Credit: UnionLeader.com – Published Sunday December 27, 2009
Friends -
What a great Christmas it has been with friends and family in New Hampshire. I hope each of you has been able to enjoy the holidays as much as I have.
For the past month, we have been asking for donations so that we enter 2010 ready to make liberty happen in Manchester Ward 2. As of today, we have raised $305 of the $2000 goal. The contributions are very greatly appreciated and I can not thank everyone enough for their generosity this time of year.
It is important that we hit the goal by the end of the year. While a large portion of the campaign will be spent going door to door meeting voters, it is essential that we market the message of liberty in such a way to appeal to the voters we are not able to meet. Liberty is a great thing and it is important that it is articulated as such.
Issues of today in Manchester include the controversial increase in LLC taxes. This is a very unnecessary tax that will punish small businesses. I have spoken to small businesspeople who would consider moving or closing their businesses if this tax is not ended. We must look to cut spending. Spending is where the ultimate problem with government lies. I can assure you that there are plenty of areas from which to cut spending.
With individual liberty, great things can happen!
If you can help out financially today, please visit http://www.camstaterep.com/donate.html
Thank you and happy holidays!
Cam
I hope everyone is having a great Christmas. I just downloaded an application for my phone that allows me to update this much more efficiently. Look for this blog to re-evolve into a primary communication tool.