I am a new member of DFNH and a native Vermonter who moved to southern NH 18 months ago. To begin with, I'm an avid hunter and angler and frequent listener to talk radio as well as NPR. I am a registered independant who doesn't go for the politics of party but rather votes on issues which are important to me. I'm probably not what you would call your "average" DFNH member as a result.

Having said that, I would also like to add that I am a public school teacher and musician who is pro-public education and an advocate for the Arts as well as Environmental conservation. I'm extremely confused by some of this state's "traditions" regarding taxes, politics, etc. Specifically:

1) Members of our legislture, from what I understand, get something like $300 a year to do their job. Forgive me for my ignorance, but WHO can live on $300.00 a year?!?! The answer is NO ONE! So then, who can afford to be a NH legislator? It would appear that only those who are independantly wealthy. So we have a system where a bunch of rich people are making laws for the state. I wonder who will benefit from laws that are made exclusively by rich people?

2) I teach in a school that serves the town of Weare. Weare is one of the richest towns per capita in the state. Yet, according to figures just posted in the Concord Monitor, Weare pays less per-pupil than most towns in the state. Residents who swear by "The Pledge" and claim that "it takes a school to bankrupt a village" would argue that the public school system is broken and that they shouldn't be burdened with the high cost of paying for all our children's education. But isn't it their rabid adherence to "The Pledge" that has basically shut down any debate on other sources of funding for things like education and as a result, pushed everyone's property taxes through the roof?

And what is most mind-boggling to me is that it seems like the poorest residents - those who are most negatively affected by our out-of-control property taxes - are the most steadfast supporters of "The Pledge." Don't they understand that if we had an income or sales tax that their overall tax burden might be reduced?

Dear fellow citizens of New Hampshire, I ask for your guidenace. I'm but a simple Vermonter who is new to your state and not familiar with its customs and traditions. Enlighten me, please!