NH State Representative Steven Smith

I started the day with my wife Adele and son Gawain in Goshen to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their Fire Dept.  The parade was an impressive display of equipment from Goshen and surrounding towns.  We spent some time talking with Chief Peterson.  We also ran into Jerry Little who is running for Senate District 8, and Bob Bell and Ed Anderson from the Selectboard.  After that, we went to Sturgeon’s General Store in Lempster for lunch.  They serve breakfast all day.  I love living in District 11!

Chief Peterson with Selectmen Anderson and Bell

Many chickens gave their lives for this day

Gawain Smith as Smokey

The most awesome truck. The Goshen Fire dept keeps this beaurty well preserved

Representative Smith’s campaign Jeep

Senate candidate Jerry Little with Rep. Smith

Rep. Steven Smith, Senate candidate Jerry Little, Selectman Anderson, Selectman Bell

Gawain Smith with an indian can

Goshen Fire department awards

Thank you WNTK for having me on this morning to talk about CACR 19.  On May 15th, the NH House rejected a constitutional amendment resolution providing that revenue from fees and assessments shall be used only for the special program for which such fees or assessments were imposed.  In other words, should we put on the ballot, for you to vote on, an amendment requiring us to use your money for the reason we gave when we took it.  While the Senate passed this 21-2, the NH House preferred not to hear what you think.

Read it yourself at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2014/CACR0019.html

This piece http://thehill.com/opinion/judd-gregg/209423-judd-gregg-troubles-of-party-system-laid-bare by former Senator Gregg has a lot of good insight as to why our political process seems stalled these days, locked in some ridiculous all-or-nothing battle between various factions.  One of his best points is about the splinter factions within each major party (for example, Tea Party, Progressive, Libertarian, etc.). 

By definition, the people who gather around those parties or factions are true believers. They speak mostly to others who share the same specific, and often unyielding, goals. They do not see the need to reach beyond those who are already of like mind, and convince or persuade the uncommitted.

We’ve seen these groups.  I guess they think that if they shout at us long enough, we will eventually capitulate.  That isn’t the way to get your point across.  We need to do the harder work of trying to persuade.  We need to gain the trust of the voters, so that when we ask them to take a chance on a new idea, they will.

Most of all, we have to be willing to give something up.  Ideologues who never compromise do not deserve to win.  I’m not saying sacrifice your core principles.  I am saying that politics, like any relationship, requires sacrifice on the parts of the parties involved.

Ask yourself… in regards to that burning issue that you want something done about… how important to you is it really if you won’t give something up to get it?

Always consider the other side, even when you disagree with them.  Gaining the trust and respect of those who don’t agree with you is the way to progress and honesty in government.

Steve