A word of caution for state’s ‘invaders’ [Nashua (NH) Telegraph Editorial]

Nashua Telegraph ^ | Oct 3, 2003

[Living Free in NH]

KEY POINTS
BACKGROUND: New Hampshire is the state that libertarians have
adopted for their project to “revolutionize” government.
CONCLUSION: This is an open country and libertarians may move
to the Granite State at will, but they shouldn’t be surprised if their
far-out ideas don’t go over with the rest of the population.

The libertarians are coming – invited or not. New Hampshire by a vote of libertarians nationwide is their first choice for their “Free State Project.”

They aim to attract up to 20,000 of like-minded individuals to move to New Hampshire over the next three years to eventually “revolutionize” its government. By that, they mean to shrink government by privatizing many of its services and by expanding personal liberties. They are also highly tax-averse.

Does anyone remember being asked if we wanted our state government to be taken over in this fashion? Who is asking for this invasion?

How nice of the libertarians to attempt a takeover, even when they cooked up the idea without consultation with the non-libertarian inhabitants.

Many of us think our state government is already lean and we differ with the libertarians on what an essential service is.

Take schools. Some libertarians believe parents should pay tuition for their children’s schooling or home school them. They propose raising scholarships for those who can’t afford to pay tuitions by collecting private donations.

Most New Hampshire residents, we believe, think that a public school education open to all up through grade 12 is one of the mainstays of a democracy. Nobody has to go without or beg for financial support because the schooling is paid through tax dollars.

Some libertarians also advocate decriminalizing marijuana use, prostitution and other “victimless” crimes. And they’re big on gun rights.

The Libertarians, many of whom can afford to be self-sufficient because of their upscale incomes, are part of a fringe political group.

The few libertarians who have run for high public office in New Hampshire in recent years have reaped slim support. So plumping up their numbers should, in theory, give them greater leverage at the ballot box.

America is an open country and the libertarians have a right to move to New Hampshire as well as any other group. Yet New Hampshire residents aren’t required to welcome them with open arms or to embrace their ideological form of escapism.

Whether 20,000 of them will actually pull up stakes and move to New Hampshire remains to be seen. The state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” is a stirring one, but most of us who endure the daily grind to make do know it shouldn’t be taken literally.

So while Gov. Craig Benson, who is working hard to pile up conservative credentials, may encourage the libertarians to relocate to New Hampshire, these newcomers should be aware that other residents of the state will view their many proposed changes with a broad streak of old-fashioned Yankee skepticism.

It’s nothing personal – just a difference of opinion over the role of government and individuals in an increasingly complex society.

To respond to this editorial e-mail the following: letters@telegraph-nh.com or solomond@telegraph-nh.com Be sure to include contact information if you would like your letter to appear as a letter to the editor.

[Living Free in NH]

Personally, I'm looking forward to it. This state is getting a little too liberal for the exile from Mass.

[Support Free Republic]

I'M BACK!!!

SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

STOP BY A BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD (It's in the Breaking News sidebar!)

[SpinyNorman]

Hey, it could be illegal aliens from Mexico, or worse, Canada!

[SoothingDave]

The state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” is a stirring one, but most of us who endure the daily grind to make do know it shouldn’t be taken literally.

It's a pity the Founding Fathers didn't realize this wasn't to be taken literally.

SD

[Billthedrill]

Drugs, guns, and wild sex parties - what's not to like?

[TheDon]

Nobody has to go without or beg for financial support because the schooling is paid through tax dollars.

Why go begging when you can get the state to put a gun to the head of your neighbors and force them to pay?

[The Electrician]

The state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” is a stirring one, but most of us who endure the daily grind to make do know it shouldn’t be taken literally.

Thus the editors are revealed to be afraid of freedom. To paraphrase from a pop song of a few years ago, you have the right to XXX (fill in the blank - speak freely, exercise your religion, own private property, etc.) as long as you're not stupid enough to actually try it.

[freeeee]

I'm taking a wild guess that this editorial was written by a woman who recently moved to New Hampshire from Massachusetts.

Massholes are continually moving north to escape the hellhole they've created, and that's the main reason I think NH was the wrong state to pick.

[556x45]

Hey gang,
You must understand that the Telegraph is an organ of the democrat party. Its completely unsurprising they took the stance they did. Its dawning on them that they may become the 3rd party in the state. LOL!

[Blue Screen of Death]

You must understand that the Telegraph is an organ of the democrat party.

I know exactly what organ.

[snarkpup]

How nice of the libertarians to attempt a takeover, even when they cooked up the idea without consultation with the non-libertarian inhabitants.

Xs attempting a takeover without consulting the non-Xs is happening pretty much everywhere humans exist.

[whd23]

Where is the Telegraph when it comes to the hordes of Massholes who, after ruining their state, come north for a "better way of life" but then proceed to insist that the locals change the way things are? I don't recall the Telegraph wondering why "we" weren't asked if "we" wanted all those Massholes moving in....

[jmc813]

ping

[Eala]

Massholes are continually moving north to escape the hellhole they've created, and that's the main reason I think NH was the wrong state to pick.

The first locusts to arrive reap the greatest benefits.

[RightWhale]

Having grown up in NH, I still think of NH as the most pleasant geography there is. I might even move back when I retire, just to be near my pre-Revolutionary ancestral home. Any idea where the gang of 20,000 will settle? Conway?

[Little Bill]

In my little piece of NH there is a school bus fee and a fee to partisipate in extra cirricular activities. Government school taxes constitute 60% of my property tax bill, but I will say that the schools are better than Mass.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Does anyone remember being asked if we wanted our colonial government to be taken over in this fashion? Who is asking for this invasion?

How nice of George Washington and his bunch to attempt a takeover, even when they cooked up the idea without consultation with the pro-Crown inhabitants.

Many of us think our Colonial government is already lean and we differ with the George Washington on what an essential service is.

[mrustow]

Massholes

I love it!

[Abe Froman]

"Whether 20,000 of them will actually pull up stakes and move to New Hampshire remains to be seen. The state’s motto, “Live Free or Die,” is a stirring one, but most of us who endure the daily grind to make do know it shouldn’t be taken literally."



Tell that to the Founding Fathers (in particular, Patrick Henry---"give me liberty or give me death") and every soldier that has died fighting under the American flag, jackhole.

[DumpsterDiver]

I know exactly what organ.

Does a sphincter muscle count as being an organ? :-) (Or were you thinking of something else?)