Two Weeks In

The new legislative session got off to a bang – almost. The annual gun-dropping incident by a lawmaker has already occurred. Not only did we have a gun-dropping incident this early in the session, but this time it came with gender parity! Yes, finally a female member of the NH House has dropped a gun in a committee hearing. Ah, equality!

State Representative Carolyn Halstead of Milford was late for the hearing on all-day kindergarten in the Education Committee room. As she settled near a woman with some small children, she yanked off her backpack, and the gun she had stuck in the back waistband of her pants fell out. Her gun instructor had told her not to carry her weapon this way – but she did it anyway, and now she’s a national news story. This is a perfect illustration of why not every nitwit should have a gun, especially legislators.

It’s ironic that this incident took place days before the NH Senate votes on SB 12, the bill to eliminate licensing for the concealed carry of a pistol or revolver. The gun crowd loves to call it “Constitutional carry,” yet try as I might I see nothing stating, “every nitwit should have a gun” in the second amendment. One GOP former legislator turned felon commenting on a friend’s blog compared it to dropping a set of keys on the floor. One thing that the gun crowd won’t do is call it what it is – negligence.  Kyle Tasker is working on a thank you note from jail, to Rep. Halstead for replacing him as the latest gun dropping doofus in the NH House, thereby taking the focus off of him.  

The Senate is intent on ramming that through ASAP, along with SB 11, the so-called “right to work” bill that seeks to eliminate collective bargaining and unions. NH Republicans are furious at the thought that workers could band together and demand better pay, working conditions, and benefits, and have been trying to keep that from happening for over 30 years. It’s a bill that comes from ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC is a group of far right legislators from around the country who are handed model legislation at their events to take home and present as their own. The Koch brothers fund ALEC. The title is a brilliant bit of deception - it should properly be called “Work without Rights.”  It was one of the centerpieces of Governor Chris Sununu’s campaign. Sununu showed his disdain for the collective bargaining process by taking office and immediately accepting the governor’s full salary AND a pay raise negotiated by the state employee’s union.

Neither of these bills will do anything to address the very real needs of our state.

Also coming up is HB 279, a bill to allow smoking in bars and supermarkets. Who doesn’t find the idea of smokers tapping their ashes all over the supermarket appealing? The sponsors of the bill are Rep. Robert Hull from Grafton, and Lino Avellani from Wakefield. Hull is a member of the Free State Project. Avellani may or may not be a Free Stater, but he’s certainly one of their allies. He’s also a restaurant owner, who apparently wants to serve a side order of lung cancer with breakfast. What’s droll about this is that the liberty crowd hates government and government spending. They don’t seem to have thought this through. Cigarette taxes fund the state, so increased tobacco sales work against their goal of dismantling the state government.

HB 106 would change our sexual assault laws. The new wording would go like this: "The testimony of the victim shall be corroborated in prosecutions under this chapter only in cases where the defendant has no prior convictions under this chapter." If you’re lucky enough to get raped by a guy with a prior conviction, you won’t need to corroborate your testimony. The concern here is that some poor man will be wrongly accused. The concern is not for the actual victims of sexual assault. This bill will protect rapists and pedophiles.

If the intention of the sponsors is to ensure that even fewer victims come forward, then this bill will work as planned. Oh, and speaking of sponsors, this bill was written by Rep. William Marsh of Wolfeboro. Carroll County sure is having a banner year in bad legislation so far – and we’re only halfway through January. One of my friends referred to this bill as “Saudi Arabia on the Merrimack.” In Saudi Arabia in  2015, a woman who was gang raped was publicly flogged. Perhaps Representative Marsh can write up something like that for 2018.  

There are 776 LSRs listed on the NH General Court website. LSR stands for legislative service request, meaning that a lawmaker is submitting it to legislative services for help in writing it up in bill-like language. A number of bills have been submitted this year by legislators seeking to pass laws that benefit their companies or themselves.

Some glaring (and amusing) examples of that come from State Rep. Richard Marple of Hooksett. Rep. Marple was arrested at the polls on Election Day. It seems that the police stopped Marple in 2014, while driving with a suspended license. His license was suspended for not paying a court fine in 2013. When he failed to show up in court, an electronic bench warrant was issued. This isn’t the only problem that the 85-year-old legislator is having. The town seized his house in June 2016, because he hadn’t paid his property taxes for a number of years. Marple claims he didn’t have to pay them, because of an “elderly exemption.” So far, he has yet to produce any proof of having applied for any such exemption. In the fantasy world he inhabits, he is not required to pay taxes or obey state laws. 

Marple filed HB 292, which would grant a jury trial for execution of a tax lien. He also filed HB 383, prohibiting electronic bench warrants. There are 116 LSRs that were withdrawn before being written up. One of them was Marple’s, “relative to the allocation of delinquent property taxes.” Given his fearlessness in filing legislation to benefit himself, it’s a wonder he didn’t go ahead with that one, too.  

The session runs till June. Lace up your lederhosen – we’re only two weeks in.

This was published as an opinion column in the January 20 edition of the Conway Daily Sun newspaper. 

Leadership in the New Biennium

The NH legislature begins their new biennium this week. The GOP controls every branch of our state government, so we can be sure that some terrible legislation will be passed and none of it will actually do anything to improve our state’s economy, infrastructure, or do anything to plan for the future.

Now that there are no restraints, House Speaker Jasper has made some peculiar leadership choices. He named Al Baldasaro of Londonderry as Vice Chair of the State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee.  Representative Baldasaro distinguished himself in August 2016 by braying on WRKO radio that Hillary Clinton should be shot for treason. Baldasaro has been saying stupid stuff in public for over a decade now. There was the time he testified at a committee hearing that the state of NH sells babies to gay couples for $10,000, or his nonsense about how a bill to stop the sale of lead fishing tackle  (it kills loons) was part of the UN plan for global domination. Rep. Baldasaro has the same level of impulse control that we see in our Twittertroll-in-Chief. There are many definitions of leader, from “inspires confidence in others” to  “horse placed in advance of the other horses of a team.”

Speaker Jasper named Rep. Yvonne Dean-Bailey of Northwood to be the Vice Chair of the Election Law Committee. Rep. Dean-Bailey is beginning her second term (it will be her first full term) in office. Landing a leadership position in the second term is very unusual, especially for someone who may not be old enough to drink legally. Most leadership positions are given to experienced legislators. Dean-Bailey was touted as a “fresh young voice” when she ran her remarkably well funded (by outside special interests) campaign in a special election in 2015. In this case, “fresh, young voice” means: “same old GOP talking points coming out of a young female mouth.” The NH GOP lost up and coming women Pam Tucker and Marilinda Garcia, and obviously intends to groom Dean-Bailey for bigger things.

Jasper appointed Rep. Donald LeBrun of Nashua to be the Vice Chair of the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee. Representative LeBrun’s campaign website says nothing about health, human services, or elderly folks. His sole interest is in cutting taxes and spending. LeBrun has chosen interesting ways to attempt it. In 2011 he sponsored a bill that would have made drug testing mandatory for food stamp recipients. It would have cost the state at least $7 million dollars, while saving nothing, given that SNAP is a federal program. There isn’t any way that there could be $7 million in fraud in NH – a state with a population of only 1.3 million. Hardly a fiscally responsible decision, but LeBrun has it in for the poors.

His next foray into cutting spending was a bill to drug test TANF recipients. This time he was smart enough to put a “Pay to Pee” provision in, whereby the individuals would have to pay for their own testing. If they passed, they’d be reimbursed. I attended the hearing for this poorly written bill, and witnessed LeBrun getting a little fed up with being asked questions he couldn’t answer. The bill isn’t perfect, he kept  repeating, petulantly. When people who knew actual facts testified, LeBrun sat there shaking his head no at them.

But that isn’t even the worst. At a hearing in 2013, LeBrun was quoted as saying, “Rather than spending money on people with disabilities, we have another choice, voluntary euthanasia…”
LeBrun was not removed from the committee. He was not ousted from the House. It wasn’t a big story in the NH media, unlike the story of the 90 year old freshman legislator who was ousted a few years ago for telling a constituent that it was too bad we couldn’t send people with disabilities to Siberia to freeze to death. This time, the leadership and the media covered for LeBrun. And now, despite an absence of any visible humanity at all, he’s just been given a leadership position on a committee that deals with important issues relating to humans.

In addition to being a poor excuse for a human being, he’s also a clown. This year he filed a bill to deny public benefits to anyone who desecrates the US or the NH flag. This is his idea of a priority for our state.

This is a man Speaker Jasper considers worthy of a leadership position. It seems that Jasper has abandoned all pretense of rationality and has chosen to let his freak flag fly along with the rest of his party.

Speaking of leadership, Rep. Frank Sapareto of Derry has been made Vice Chair of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. In 2013, Sapareto was convicted of simple assault in a domestic violence case. Gun felon and former State Rep. Max Abramson was not allowed to remain on the committee when his felony came to light. Sapareto challenged Jasper for the Speakership, and Jasper admitted that he promised Sapareto the committee position if he ended his run and backed Jasper. So, not only is a convicted abuser serving as the Vice Chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee – he got the job as quid pro quo.

The House Child and Family Law Committee has been eliminated. Speaker Jasper claimed that the only people who wanted to be on the committee were people who have grievances with the system. At a time when DCYF is under investigation for child deaths, this is a remarkable decision.

The good news is that the work of this committee will be shipped off to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee (under the leadership of a convicted domestic abuser) and the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee – under the leadership of a man who thinks euthanizing people with disabilities is a reasonable cost saving plan.

Oh, what a biennium it’s shaping up to be. 

NOTE: The House voted on Wednesday not to eliminate the Child and Family Law Committee 

Published as an op-ed in the January 6 edition of the  Conway Daily Sun newspaper

NH House HHS Committee - Leadership to be Proud Of

                                                  That's LeBrun with the Santorum sign


State Representative Donald LeBrun  (R-Nashua) has just been elected to his fourth term in the NH House. He's also been elevated to a leadership position. Speaker of the House Shawn Jasper appointed LeBrun to be Vice Chair of the Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs Committee. 

According to LeBrun's website http://lebrunforstaterep.com :

I will legislate to cut spending, cut taxes, and downsize government.

I will fight to reform (not cut) entitlement programs by identifying fraudulent claims and mismanagement. This will enable programs to continue without being cut.

I will represent my constituents to the best of my ability.

I will always be open, honest, and available. I will work diligently to fulfill the wishes of the majority regardless of party affiliation.

I will work with my colleagues toward a better, more efficient government in New Hampshire based on the state constitution.

No mention of health. No mention of human services - only fraud. Absolutely no mention of/or concern for the elderly. No interest in the future of our state, education, natural resources, or infrastructure. For LeBrun it's all about cutting spending and taxes. 

In 2011, LeBrun sponsored a bill to create mandatory drug testing for food stamp recipients. http://susanthebruce.blogspot.com/2011/02/urine-need-of-new-representation-nashua.html

In 2013, LeBrun sponsored a bill to create mandatory drug testing for TANF beneficiaries. Here's my report on the hearing:  http://susanthebruce.blogspot.com/2013/01/urine-need-of-better-representation.html

Even more egregious - in 2013, LeBrun gave his thoughts about people with disabilities: 

http://miscellanyblue.com/post/43164114589

Donald LeBrun is quoted as saying, “Rather than spend money on people with disabilities we have another choice, Voluntary Euthanasia….”

http://susanthebruce.blogspot.com/2013/02/nh-rep-suggests-voluntary-euthanasia.html

He didn't get kicked off his committee. It wasn't much of a news story. None of the alleged Christian groups who prey on the legislature said boo. 

Naturally, LeBrun denied this. He was telling a story, he said. 

Except that it's consistent with his actions ever since he was elected to the House. 

And now, this man who thinks we should engage in "voluntary euthanasia" to cut disability spending has been elevated to a leadership position in the NH House. 

Mere Trumpery

George Washington was our first president. He was born into an affluent family, and inherited property and slaves after the deaths of his father, and later his older brother.  He became a surveyor at age 17. Thanks to his family connections, he was given the position of official surveyor of the newly created Culpepper County. Four years later, Washington began his military career, during the French and Indian War. In 1775 he was commissioned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. We all know how that turned out.

At the end of the war, Washington resigned his commission, rather than seize power as a dictator or king. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787. That year he was elected president, and served as the first US president until March of 1797.

John Adams was our second president. He was born to modest circumstances. His father was a Congregationalist deacon, farmer, cordwainer, and a lieutenant in the militia. (A cordwainer is a shoemaker who makes shoes from new leather.)
As the eldest son he was expected to receive a formal education, which he did through schools and tutors. At age 16, John Adams entered Harvard College. After graduating, he taught school for a few years, and then decided to become a lawyer. He consciously chose not to become a member of the clergy. Adams wanted to become a great man, and once referred to his own hunger for fame as “mere trumpery.”  There’s a term likely to make a comeback.

Thomas Jefferson became the third US president. Jefferson was born to an affluent family. He graduated from the College of William and Mary, and practiced law. He was also an architect, president of the American Philosophical Society, spoke at least 6 languages fluently, and was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson served as the governor of Virginia, a member of Congress, a trade minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President, and President.

Franklin Pierce was the 14^th US president. Pierce was born into a relatively affluent and political family in Hillsborough, NH. His father was a farmer, tavern keeper, and state legislator. After graduating from Bowdoin, he got involved with state politics. Pierce served 6 terms as the town moderator in Hillsborough. He served as a state representative, and became Speaker. Pierce was also elected to the US House, the US Senate, and 10 years after leaving office he was elected president. The only president to come from NH, Franklin Pierce is widely regarded as one of our most lackluster presidents.

Warren G. Harding was our 29^th president. He was born to a doctor and a midwife in Ohio. His father (the doctor) bought a newspaper, and so Harding began learning the newspaper business at age 11. After graduating from college, he bought a failing newspaper that he was eventually able to turn around. It was during this time that he began to get involved with politics. Harding was elected to the state senate, and began to enjoy the patronage and graft that came with the office. He served one term as lieutenant governor. His term was described thusly, “he had little to do, and he did it very well.”

Harding went on to become a US Senator, and eventually president. He died halfway through his term. He was quite popular at the time of his death, and was mourned by the nation. It was after his death that a number of scandals came to light that sullied his posthumous reputation, notably the Teapot Dome scandal. He was beloved when he died, but is now regarded as one of our worst presidents.

George W. Bush was our 43^rd president. He was born into a family of great wealth and political connection. George attended the best schools, got middlin’ grades, and went on to have a life that was free of accomplishment. He failed at business, but succeeded wildly at using his family money and influence to become the governor of Texas, and eventually president. He was appointed president by the Supreme Court, after a contentious election where he received fewer popular votes than his opponent. His Wikipedia page lists “golf and smoking cigars” as hobbies. Bush was not an accomplished man. He showed no sign of intellectual curiosity during his tenure in the White House. He may be the happiest person in the nation that Trump was elected, since he’s not likely to maintain his position as the worst president ever.

Our newly elected president, who received fewer popular votes than his opponent, is Donald Trump. He was born into wealth. Young Trump went to military school, but never served in the military. He received 4 student deferments while he was at Wharton, which enabled him to avoid going to Vietnam. Eventually he was given a medical deferment for heel spurs. Trump began his real estate career in his father’s company, which eventually became his. There have been decades of deals, big gaudy buildings with his name smeared all over them, casinos, six bankruptcies, and three wives. He’s considered to be a successful businessman, despite the many failures, bankruptcies, and refusal to pay workers. He has never been involved with any sort of public service. His “charity” is used as a slush fund to pay himself. He wanted to win. Now that he has, it’s clear that he’s spectacularly ill-prepared to govern.

Trump is a very successful salesman, who has sold us the belief that he’s a good businessman. He’s also a reality TV star, who lives in a tacky, gilded palace with his most recent wife who we haven’t seen much of since the tapes of Trump’s bus trip with Billy Bush on Access Hollywood were made public. Melania Trump, it seems, is not going to be moving to the White House. His daughter, however, will have an office there, and take on some First Lady duties.  The White House is open for business.

There is so much wrong with all of this that I don’t even know where to begin. Suffice it to say, that we began this nation with men who were accomplished and educated. We’ve settled for considerably less as the decades have gone on. It was once difficult to imagine that we would elect a B-movie actor and McCarthy fink, but we did. Our recent Electoral College choice makes Reagan look like Socrates.

We’ve gone from statesmen to a twitter troll. This may be the end of the Great American Experiment.

I wish you all Happy Holidays – see you in 2017

 This was published as an op-ed in the December 23 issue of the Conway Daily Sun newspaper