Democracy for New Hampshire - Growing the grassroots in New Hampshire's political landscape

Brock & Waldman: McCain's free ride with the national media

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:34:55 -0400

McCain and the Media

New Chapter - How the media has covered McCain since Free Ride went to press

John McCain is now the presumptive presidential nominee of his party, a position that is accompanied by increased scrutiny and skepticism from the nation's political press. Or at least that's what ordinarily happens. But as we know by now, the rules are different for John McCain. Just a few months ago, McCain had cratered in the polls, and few thought he could bounce back. Yet there was one group of people who had not only the desire but the ability to give McCain the boost he needed, just when he needed it....

About the Authors:

David Brock is the author of four political books, including The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy. In his preceding book, Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative, a 2002 New York Times bestselling political memoir, he chronicled his years as a conservative media insider. Brock currently lives in Washington, D.C.

Stop the presses: Dean mentions, among other issues, Supreme Court support of GOP agenda for voter suppression

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:14:20 -0400

Gov. Lynch Applauds House's Strong Support of NH HealthFirst

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:10:27 -0400

For Immediate Release

Legislation Will Provide More Affordable Health Insurance Alternatives to Small Businesses

CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today applauded the House's strong support of the New Hampshire HealthFirst initiative, which is aimed at helping small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers.

The House passed the bill 259-93. It passed the Senate on a 21-3 vote.

Gov. Lynch unveiled the proposal during his State of the State Address.

"This legislation is an important step forward in helping small businesses better afford health insurance for their workers," Gov. Lynch said. "I want thank the members of the House for recognizing the importance of keeping health insurance in reach of employers."

New Hampshire HealthFirst was developed in conjunction with the state Insurance Department, lawmakers and other stakeholders. It will provide comparable coverage to existing health insurance plans, and reduce premiums by addressing the underlying cost drivers of health care increases through better prevention, better care management and more efficient use of health care services.

Pass That (Soulja Bill) - How A Bill Becomes a Law

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:53:25 -0400

McCain promises extension of right wing legacy

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:47:40 -0400

SOURCE: cbsnews.com

McCain Promises Judges Like Roberts, Alito
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 6, 2008

(AP) Republican John McCain criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama for voting against John Roberts as U.S. chief justice, reaching out to the Christian right on one of their chief concerns: the proper role of judges in government.

Conservatives contend that federal judges have upset the constitutional balance of power among the courts, the Congress and the presidency by making far-reaching decisions, such as one in 2005 that let cities seize people's homes to make way for shopping malls.

"My nominees will understand that there are clear limits to the scope of judicial power, and clear limits to the scope of federal power," McCain said Tuesday in a speech at Wake Forest University.

McCain, the eventual GOP nominee, promised to appoint judges in the mold of Roberts and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, saything they would interpret the law strictly to curb the scope of their rulings. While McCain didn't mention abortion, the far right understands that such nominees would be likely to limit or perhaps overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

Join in this Important Two Hour Discission/Debate: The constitution and voting

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:37:19 -0400

Join in this Important Two Hour Discission/Debate

"We the People": The Constitution, Our Vote & Election 2008

* Top Constitutional Experts, Media Leaders and Voting Integrity Advocates Explore The Dichotomies, Legal History and Challenges Facing us Today
* Latest Update on North Carolina and Indiana Election Results & Reported Problems

Special Guests:
Constitutional Panel
Alex Keyssar, Professor of History and Social Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government
Jamin Raskin, Professor of Law, American University and Maryland State Senator
John Bonifaz, VoterAction.org
Mark Crispin Miller, Professor of Media Studies at New York University

Election 2008 & EAC
Brad Friedman, BradBlog.Com
John Gideon, VotersUnite.org

Are We Really Voting?
Ellen Theisen, VotersUnite.org
Susan Pynchon, Florida Fair Election Coalition

TWO Hour Radio & Internet Special Starting at 7PM ET Wednesday, May 7
“Voice of the Voters!” & “American Voices”
1360 AM Greater Philadelphia & and on the Internet www.voiceofthevoters.org
Please Call And Share Your Opinions and Questions 856-227-1360 or 267 250 2879 7-9 PM ET

As Americans struggle with the technology used to vote, what legal foundation supports them? Tonight our expert panelists explore the principles in our History, Constitution and current election process as they pertain to suffrage and principles of Democracy.

---Does the Constitution help us or limit us as we work towards transparent, secure and accessible voting?

Capital comments from State Senator Bob Odell

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:31:50 -0400

Several busy days ahead for New Hampshire Legislature

One month from today the New Hampshire legislature will end its work for 2008.

Given a tight schedule and the many bills left to handle, the Senate will meet one day this week and two days, which is very unusual, next week. That means many hours in our seats on the floor going over each bill and then casting voice or roll call votes. Occasionally, there are division votes where Senators stand to be counted whether they are casting a yes or no vote. When our session is over on Thursday, May 15th, committees of conference will be set up to iron out differences between Senate and House positions on some key bills. Committees of conference must complete their work by May 30th and then the House and Senate will meet for final sessions to vote on the committees of conference reports on June 5th.

With those deadlines and some late hours, the legislature’s work will get done on time. Many bills will receive routine votes. An example last week was the bill to reduce penalties for possession of small quantities of marijuana. Without any discussion, the bill was quietly killed on a voice vote.

Gov. Lynch Announces Job Training Grants For Eight Companies

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:23:13 -0400

For Immediate Release

More than 1,000 NH Workers Now Receiving Training Through State Grants

CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today announced that more than eight companies across New Hampshire will receive $72,000 in Job Training grants, bringing to 1,000 the number of New Hampshire workers now receiving training through the recently re-instated program.

Job Training grants are aimed at keeping jobs in New Hampshire by helping New Hampshire companies compete globally. Gov. Lynch made it a priority to reinstate the Job Training Fund, which distributes up to $1 million annually in matching grants to allow companies to train new workers or retrain longtime employees.

"Job Training grants play a valuable role in helping New Hampshire workers and companies succeed. By partnering with New Hampshire companies, we are helping workers get the skills they need for good jobs and helping our companies get the skilled workforce they need to stay and grow in New Hampshire," Gov. Lynch said. "I am pleased to see so many New Hampshire workers receiving valuable training. I hope more New Hampshire businesses will use this important tool designed to help strengthen our economy."

HB 91 - Reduced Lobbyist Disclosure Law About To Pass Legislature

Tue, 06 May 2008 09:40:36 -0400

HEADS-UP ADVISORY ABOUT LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE LEGISLATION
House Bill 91

This Wednesday the House may consider "concurring" with the State Senate on legislation that would greatly affect our lobbyist disclosure and reporting laws, and in my judgment considerably reduce their effectiveness. For the first time in New Hampshire's history, we would be eliminating important right-to-know requirements in our lobbyist disclosure laws.

Consider that since March 10, 1909 we have had a lobbyist disclosure law that has required -- REQUIRED -- that people who are lobbying the Legislature register before they do so. Now, for the first time in 99 years, we are changing that law into what amounts to an "honor system," allowing for 10 business days before a lobbyist must register, that's two full weeks, and giving certain people 75 hours to lobby free-and-clear BEFORE they must register. My goodness.

I don't think this is part of either party's Legislative Agenda -- nor should we be asking Governor John Lynch to sign a bill like this in its current form. Going backwards is not something we should be doing when it comes to lobbyist disclosure. We have seen recent news media reports about how our laws may not be sufficient enough as they are.

Shea-Porter Pushes for the Cyber Command

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:40:22 -0400

SOURCE:Boston Globe

Pressing to develop Navy land in Maine
Congresswoman courts Air Force Cyber Command
May 4, 2008
KITTERY, Maine - As the Navy explores private development of the former Portsmouth Naval Shipyard prison, US Representative Carol Shea-Porter is pushing to bring the US Air Force's Cyber Command to the long-neglected castle-like structure.

BBV: Diebold is controlling OUR elections

Fri, 02 May 2008 17:01:06 -0400

SOURCE: www.blackboxvoting.org

My records show that YOUR elections district uses the Accuvote voting machine. This is the system hacked in the HBO "Hacking Democracy" film, being shown TODAY on HBO. It also goes by the names "Diebold", "Premier", "Global Election Systems" optical scan or OS. Your voting system uses both the Diebold /Premier machines and the GEMS program for BOTH mailed in votes and polling place votes. It is the Diebold/Premier Accuvote optical scansystem that you will see on HBO, altered in the blink of an eye to change election results without leaving a trace.

The film "Hacking Democracy", showing exactly how my organization, Black Box Voting, actually rigged a voting system like the one your votes are counted on. You'll understand this quite painlessly by viewing the detective story as it unfolds, on HBO or YouTube. The film will be shown on HBO on May 2, 4, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 23, 29, 25, 26 and June 16 -- mostly during daytime hours. Note that several of these showings are on weekends.

Scroll down for NEW INFORMATION on how this voting system may affect you personally in the Nov. 2008 election, and what to do about it.

If you don't have HBO, you can view HACKING DEMOCRACY for free in nine 10-minute segments at YouTube:

Message for Sununu

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:39:36 -0400

SOURCE:FOSTER'S DAILY DEMOCRAT

It took a week, but the local press finally reports on Seacoast citizens lobbying their junior Senator.

Sending a message: Citizens tell Sununu funds should be spent at home, not on war
By GRETYL MACALASTER
Article Date: Friday, May 2, 2008

PORTSMOUTH — About 15 area residents turned out at Sen. John Sununu's office recently to present a new report from MoveOn.org that shows New Hampshire voters think federal money would be better spent on domestic issues instead of the war in Iraq.

Welcome to DFNH

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:19:01 -0400

About | Board of Directors | How to Post to Website

Account creation temporarily suspended

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:19:19 -0400

I've temporarily turned off the ability to create new user accounts while we weather a spam storm. Existing accounts are unaffected. If you really need a new account right now in order to post some time-sensitive material, please send an email to membership <-at-> democracyfornewhampshire.com and I'll make you one.

Thank you for your support.

— Roger

Update from the Executive Council

Thu, 01 May 2008 13:07:41 -0400

NEWS RELEASE FOR DISTRICT FIVE April 23, 2008 FROM DEBORA B. PIGNATELLI, Executive Councilor

April 23,2008, Concord, NH - Listed below are some of the items that were approved at the Governor and Council Meeting, April 23, 2008, that might be of interest to District Five constituents.

The next Governor and Council Meeting will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at Plymouth State University, Hartman Union Building, High Street, Plymouth, NH.

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Authorized Bureau of Public Works Design and Construction to enter into a service contract with Microdesk Inc., Nashua, NH, for customized AutoCAD, and on-site training, for a total price not to exceed $7,980. Effective upon G&C approval through June 30, 2008. 100% General Funds.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Authorized to appoint Diana E. Fenton as an Assistant Attorney General at a salary level of $61,294.34. Effective upon G&C approval. Diana E. Fenton lives in Amherst.