Chairman's Corner
Welcome to the Chairman's Corner, where Committee Chair and former State Representative Bob Perry keeps us up on issues, legislation, and more.
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Which Side Are You On?
Coup: a sudden, violent and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Sedition: conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.
Insurrection: a violent uprising against an authority or government.
Rioters: a violent public disorder, specifically a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent.
Violence: behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
Mob: a large crowd of people, especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence.
Weeks of Trump enticing his followers to protest on January 6, promising a "wild time." Five deaths; eleven Molotov Cocktails; multiple pipe bombs; guns; knives; nylon "handcuffs" for hostage-taking; speaking for two hours at our Capitol building to build momentum for that "wild time." Sitting in a comfortable chair watching on television the ugliness of the seizing and desecration of our Capitol, likely getting a chuckle watching the agility of the wall climbers and window breakers; after the desecration, telling his followers they are "special" people and he "loves" them.
Now deprived of Facebook and Instagram as a national threat through January 20; permanently suspended by Twitter. Articles of Impeachment drafted on January 8, made necessary by Republican senators refusing to remove him from office a year ago; 140 house Republicans supporting overturning the November election, the will of the people; Sixty lawsuits filed to overturn the election, involving more than 80 judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans, some appointed by Trump himself; Rudy Guliani, his personal lawyer, on-scene and unhinged, inciting violence.
At 12:01 P.M., January 20, 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will become President and Vice-President of a not-so United States of America. It's make or break for the American experiment in self-governance. Which side are you on?
Pete Seeger asked the question in 1941
Sedition: conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.
Insurrection: a violent uprising against an authority or government.
Rioters: a violent public disorder, specifically a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent.
Violence: behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
Mob: a large crowd of people, especially one that is disorderly and intent on causing trouble or violence.
Weeks of Trump enticing his followers to protest on January 6, promising a "wild time." Five deaths; eleven Molotov Cocktails; multiple pipe bombs; guns; knives; nylon "handcuffs" for hostage-taking; speaking for two hours at our Capitol building to build momentum for that "wild time." Sitting in a comfortable chair watching on television the ugliness of the seizing and desecration of our Capitol, likely getting a chuckle watching the agility of the wall climbers and window breakers; after the desecration, telling his followers they are "special" people and he "loves" them.
Now deprived of Facebook and Instagram as a national threat through January 20; permanently suspended by Twitter. Articles of Impeachment drafted on January 8, made necessary by Republican senators refusing to remove him from office a year ago; 140 house Republicans supporting overturning the November election, the will of the people; Sixty lawsuits filed to overturn the election, involving more than 80 judges appointed by Democrats and Republicans, some appointed by Trump himself; Rudy Guliani, his personal lawyer, on-scene and unhinged, inciting violence.
At 12:01 P.M., January 20, 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will become President and Vice-President of a not-so United States of America. It's make or break for the American experiment in self-governance. Which side are you on?
Pete Seeger asked the question in 1941
Republicans Announce Plans to Increase Property Taxes
Rep. Mary Jane Wallner warns in her column in the Concord Monitor (11/16/20) that New Hampshire Republicans are openly planning to increase local property taxes. I served with Mary Jane for 7 years. She is totally committed to serving her constituents. When she says your property taxes are going up, she is offering a warning that the new Republican majority, elevated to majority status by NH voters, is already serving the wishes of business by reducing their taxes, thus reducing state revenue. Those revenue reductions will need to be made up by increases in property taxes, or reductions in state services. It's that simple. All of this when state revenues are already significantly reduced from the incompetence of Donald J. Trump to lead on the COVID response. Pensions, you say? Yes, at risk. So much at risk.
With redistricting again in the control of Republicans, one must realize that an attempt will be made to intentionally create a district that will make it more difficult for the Honorable Representative Wallner to be re-elected. Elections have consequences. Learn more about Mary Jane Wallner, and you'll see why I consider her such a trusted source.
With redistricting again in the control of Republicans, one must realize that an attempt will be made to intentionally create a district that will make it more difficult for the Honorable Representative Wallner to be re-elected. Elections have consequences. Learn more about Mary Jane Wallner, and you'll see why I consider her such a trusted source.
Strafford Election Results
A big thanks goes out to everyone in the Strafford community who promoted the Democratic team by hosting yard signs, standing at the polls, and above all, taking time to vote in the important election this fall. Meanwhile, the election results in New Hampshire give cause for concern. We are thrilled that Joe Biden prevailed in the Granite State, and we were able to maintain our Democratic Congressional representation and elect Democrat Cinde Warmington to the Executive Council. At the same time, Republicans saw dramatic gains in the State House, Senate and Executive Council. I'll be posting comments soon about what these numbers mean for our town and state.
See election results for the Town of Strafford.
See election results for the Town of Strafford.
Town Hall Thanks
Committee visibility outside Strafford Town Hall on Election Day 2020.
The committee commends Town Clerk Terri Marsh and other staff at Strafford's Town Hall for holding a safe and secure election during a challenging pandemic. Following is a note of appreciation sent to the Town Clerk following the November election:
Dear Terri,
I take this opportunity to thank you for successfully navigating Election 2020 for the benefit of Strafford voters; through the many last-minute changes, the many outside voices, the necessary trainings and postings. A job well done, and we in the election-integrity community are grateful.
Thank you.
Bob Perry
Dear Terri,
I take this opportunity to thank you for successfully navigating Election 2020 for the benefit of Strafford voters; through the many last-minute changes, the many outside voices, the necessary trainings and postings. A job well done, and we in the election-integrity community are grateful.
Thank you.
Bob Perry
Rep. Harrington Represents Special Interests, Not Us
A flyer arrived recently, combining Republican candidates among its folds, including Strafford’s representative, Mike Harrington. In it, he makes the following statement: "Too many decisions made in Concord are made to please special interest groups especially when it comes to electricity prices. I promise that my only special interests group will be the people of NH and not just those who can afford to send paid lobbyist [sic] to Concord. Rep. Michael Harrington, Strafford, October, 2020."[Emphasis mine.]
Rep. Harrington is not being candid. In fact, he represents a special-interest organization, the New England Ratepayer’s Association (NERA), as an advisor. He does not represent his constituents when he acts as advisor to an organization which has issued a cost-benefit analysis concluding mitigation of PFAWs, toxic and deadly chemicals released by industry, is not warranted; and when NERA’s conclusion, in part, was based on data generated from a person employed by the Mercatus Center, part of an expansive network of right-wing, Koch Brothers funded think tanks.
NERA supported towers and wires slicing their way from Canada to southern NH, a very unpopular and unnecessary project known as Northern Pass, that would have provided energy to Massachusetts, and none to New Hampshire.
Based on its past opposition, it is evident that NERA will continue to oppose clean, solar-generated electricity for the foreseeable future, despite the critical need for carbon-emission reduction in order to mitigate climate change.
Not surprisingly, Rep. Harrington supported the position of NERA by opposing every PFAW-related bill this past legislative session.
You want representatives who will represent you, not a lobbying organization with a megaphone. Vote Heath Howard and Jeff Allard as our state representatives, and Nancy Fraher as our state senator.
Rep. Harrington is not being candid. In fact, he represents a special-interest organization, the New England Ratepayer’s Association (NERA), as an advisor. He does not represent his constituents when he acts as advisor to an organization which has issued a cost-benefit analysis concluding mitigation of PFAWs, toxic and deadly chemicals released by industry, is not warranted; and when NERA’s conclusion, in part, was based on data generated from a person employed by the Mercatus Center, part of an expansive network of right-wing, Koch Brothers funded think tanks.
NERA supported towers and wires slicing their way from Canada to southern NH, a very unpopular and unnecessary project known as Northern Pass, that would have provided energy to Massachusetts, and none to New Hampshire.
Based on its past opposition, it is evident that NERA will continue to oppose clean, solar-generated electricity for the foreseeable future, despite the critical need for carbon-emission reduction in order to mitigate climate change.
Not surprisingly, Rep. Harrington supported the position of NERA by opposing every PFAW-related bill this past legislative session.
You want representatives who will represent you, not a lobbying organization with a megaphone. Vote Heath Howard and Jeff Allard as our state representatives, and Nancy Fraher as our state senator.
The Devastating Impact of Big Money in Our Elections
At the heart of every issue, and at the core of everything our government in the last ten years has done or failed to do, we must consider how much political influence was exerted on lawmakers by the unrestricted flow of Big Money in U.S. elections. To what extend has loyalty to the donor class among our elected officials affected decision-making or caused our present-day gridlock? It is not a conundrum officials wished upon themselves; it is a reality most would prefer to extinguish, because they must spend, on average 4 hours a day dialing for dollars, and often face the wrath of donors who expect a quid-pro-quo.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Elections Commission in 2010 by its 5 - 4 Republican-appointed jurists repealed, in a single ruling, 100 years of campaign finance regulations. Ten years of opened floodgates to political spending has spawned non-stop electioneering by corporations and wealthy individuals. Adding further to the diminished value of our votes through Big Money contributions, foreign and domestic, Mr. Trump has publicly solicited election assistance from nations that are adverse to our national interests to manipulate the 2020 election to assure his ascendancy to a second term in office.
Imagine a Congress dedicated to discovering a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease; devoted to legislation allowing the government to negotiate for lower drug prices; deciding high-speed rail more important than colonizing the moon; mitigating climate change rather than protecting the fossil fuel industry. Imagine the possibilities if we worked boldly to unshackle our elected officials from the bonds of Big Money!
One way to stem this wave of legalized bribery by monied interests is to pressure Congress, beginning at the local level, town by town, to pass the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allowing states to once again regulate money in politics as it was once able to do beginning with the Tillman Act of 1907. As of this writing, approximately 80 New Hampshire municipalities have successfully passed such a petition at their annual public meetings.
Legislation to allow voluntary public funding of elections is a different approach that has a greater impact. Maine, Arizona, Connecticut, and dozens of municipalities have pass these regulations, Seattle and New York City among them. New Hampshire Senate Bill 304 creating a voluntary voucher system of campaign funding lives in a study committee.
Another is to require timely registration and strict reporting of political spending - transparency - so voters can know who is attempting to influence our elections, and to what extent. Transparency in political spending is not just authorized by Citizens United, it is encouraged. However, bills requiring transparency and fix loopholes in existing law were vetoed this term by Gov. Sununu. Since the percentage of the U.S. population making political contributions is less than one half of one-percent (0.47%), corporations are happy to fill the void.
These movements are not about challenging the 1st Amendment; rather it is a grassroots and legislative effort to preserve national political autonomy, our representative Democracy, and free our elected officials so they may better serve you and me, instead of their contributors. Watch the video about this created by a NH campaign finance reform advocate. It is worthy of your time to watch.
Both the New Hampshire House and Senate passed HB 504, a bill that would allow Congress and state legislatures to regulate the role of money in elections and governance to ensure transparency, prevent corruption, and protect against the buying of access to or influence over representatives. But for Gov. Sununu's veto, New Hampshire would have become the 20th state to essentially overturn the Citizens United court ruling. The legislature was not able to override the veto by the required 2/3 majority.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Elections Commission in 2010 by its 5 - 4 Republican-appointed jurists repealed, in a single ruling, 100 years of campaign finance regulations. Ten years of opened floodgates to political spending has spawned non-stop electioneering by corporations and wealthy individuals. Adding further to the diminished value of our votes through Big Money contributions, foreign and domestic, Mr. Trump has publicly solicited election assistance from nations that are adverse to our national interests to manipulate the 2020 election to assure his ascendancy to a second term in office.
Imagine a Congress dedicated to discovering a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease; devoted to legislation allowing the government to negotiate for lower drug prices; deciding high-speed rail more important than colonizing the moon; mitigating climate change rather than protecting the fossil fuel industry. Imagine the possibilities if we worked boldly to unshackle our elected officials from the bonds of Big Money!
One way to stem this wave of legalized bribery by monied interests is to pressure Congress, beginning at the local level, town by town, to pass the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allowing states to once again regulate money in politics as it was once able to do beginning with the Tillman Act of 1907. As of this writing, approximately 80 New Hampshire municipalities have successfully passed such a petition at their annual public meetings.
Legislation to allow voluntary public funding of elections is a different approach that has a greater impact. Maine, Arizona, Connecticut, and dozens of municipalities have pass these regulations, Seattle and New York City among them. New Hampshire Senate Bill 304 creating a voluntary voucher system of campaign funding lives in a study committee.
Another is to require timely registration and strict reporting of political spending - transparency - so voters can know who is attempting to influence our elections, and to what extent. Transparency in political spending is not just authorized by Citizens United, it is encouraged. However, bills requiring transparency and fix loopholes in existing law were vetoed this term by Gov. Sununu. Since the percentage of the U.S. population making political contributions is less than one half of one-percent (0.47%), corporations are happy to fill the void.
These movements are not about challenging the 1st Amendment; rather it is a grassroots and legislative effort to preserve national political autonomy, our representative Democracy, and free our elected officials so they may better serve you and me, instead of their contributors. Watch the video about this created by a NH campaign finance reform advocate. It is worthy of your time to watch.
Both the New Hampshire House and Senate passed HB 504, a bill that would allow Congress and state legislatures to regulate the role of money in elections and governance to ensure transparency, prevent corruption, and protect against the buying of access to or influence over representatives. But for Gov. Sununu's veto, New Hampshire would have become the 20th state to essentially overturn the Citizens United court ruling. The legislature was not able to override the veto by the required 2/3 majority.
Bob Perry has been a board member of Open Democracy since 2010. This grassroots organization is working in New Hampshire to create an open, accountable, and trusted democratic government free from the corrupting influence of big-money politics.
Learn more about the Coalition for Open Democracy. |
Although the NH State House is currently closed, you can make a risk-free visit online by way of Virginia Drew's guided tour sponsored by C-SPAN 3. Ms. Drew is Director of the NH State House Visitor Center.
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