Vote GOP!
Here’s a Letter to the Editor I submitted to the local papers:
Vote for the Local GOP Ticket
Rep. Jason Bedrick, Windham
As you may have read, this year’s GOP primary was a close one. After a recount, I placed 14th out of 23 candidates with 903 votes, just one vote behind Rep. Mark Pearson, whose 904 votes secured his nomination for the last of the 13 spots.
In the general election, I will gladly cast my vote for Pearson and the other GOP candidates. As a legislator for the past two years, I’ve seen firsthand what a Democrat-controlled House, Senate and Governor’s office means for the state of New Hampshire. Democrats increased spending by 17.5% by relying on obviously inflated revenue estimates. Now we’re facing a $300 million deficit and looming tax increases.
None of the local Democrat candidates for state representative have taken the Taxpayer Pledge to oppose a broad-based sales or income tax. (See http://cnht.org/pledgers.php) In fact, several prominent Democrat candidates for the state legislature around the state have publicly declared their support for an income tax.
The imposition of either of these taxes would spell the end of the New Hampshire Advantage at a time when the economy is already in serious trouble. Even a 1% sales tax would provide a disincentive for out-of-staters to shop in Salem and other border towns, which would have a drastic effect on our local economy. Income tax proponents argue that it would lower property taxes, but everywhere it’s been tried the taxpayers find themselves stuck with the same property taxes plus an additional income tax.
By all accounts from the letters to the editor over the last few weeks, the leading Democrat candidate for state representative in our district is a nice person who listens to people and works hard. But where does she stand on the issues? If she really opposes new taxes, why doesn’t she take the Pledge? Will she stand up to her party leaders when they push irresponsible revenue estimates, reckless spending increases, and new taxes? Or is it more likely that she’ll happily go along with the majority of her party? Every indication points to the latter.
Though we didn’t always agree on all the issues, the local GOP representatives worked hard to do what’s right for our towns and the state of New Hampshire. Mary Griffin is known and loved by all as the “peace maker” who compromises on policy without compromising principle. Charlie McMahon is the leading expert in the House on health care issues, and he lead the fight to fully fund the developmentally-disabled wait list. Russ Ingram puts his business skills and common sense to good use. Mark Pearson is a thoughtful and dedicated public servant. Ron Belanger and Anne Priestley are each a wealth of institutional knowledge. Marilinda Garcia and DJ Bettencourt are bright, energetic, principled, and rising stars in state government. Bob Elliott thinks deeply about the issues and always does his homework.
All of them have proven themselves to be good stewards of the state and fitting representatives for Salem and Windham. Having spoken with newcomers David Bates, Margaret Crisler, and Walter Kolodziej on many occasions throughout the campaign season, I’m confident that they will be just as hard-working and dedicated to NH values as their colleagues.
If you want your representatives to support fiscally responsible budgets, sustainable growth, and low taxes, then please cast your vote for the local Republican ticket on November 4th. And remember, the legislature eliminated “straight ticket” voting this year, so make sure to fill out the circles next to the names of all the candidates whom you support. I’ll see you at the polls!