NH State Representative Steven Smith

Today is Constitution Day. If the law is followed, school children will take some time today to learn about the United States Constitution… a lesson we should all pay heed to. Ignoring the Constitution for decades has led to costly, inefficient, complex government that no one seems to be happy with. It is important to remember the rules, and play by them. Too often, we spend a lot of time passionately debating the merits of an issue, when we should be debating at what level of government it should be considered at. We get a lot of issues right, but the level of government step wrong. It is clear in the Constitution that most functions are to be the domain of the states. Here in NH this particularly advantageous. I am a State Legislator, and you can call me on the phone. I’ll answer or call you back. Try that with the federal delegation. Taking that a step further, I prefer as many issues as possible to be local, at the town level. You can always go walk in to your SelectBoard meeting. It’s very convenient and you know that you will be heard.

Take some today to read the Constitution. It will help us all remember the rules, and hopefully get back to playing by them.

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives in the heinous attack on our embassy in Libya.  The human in me wants revenge.  My emotional response is that I want a target chosen and a new smoking crater somewhere in Libya, anywhere, as long as they also feel the shock of a senseless attack and the pain of loss.  My rational side knows better though.  We can righteously express outrage because we are better than our enemy.  It is a common pitfall when faced with senseless violence, or personal attack, to respond in kind and thus become the enemy.  Don’t get me wrong, if a sensible target is found, I am most definitely NOT opposed to a forceful response.  I am a big believer in Reagan’s concept of peace through strength.  The exercise of that strength must be reasoned and with purpose.  The whole point is to not have to actually use the force very often.  It is in this way that we maintain our justification, and keep the moral high ground.  We can’t become the enemy.  We must also stand united.  Presidents’ power is limited by their support.  Even if President Obama comes up with an appropriate response that will discourage attacks in the future, and provide some measure of justice for this attack, it won’t work without the will of the American people behind it.  If you find an elected official or candidate using this attack for political gain, or to cause discord among the people, tell them that you’re smarter than that and they aren’t going to get away with it.  You don’t have to vote for the President in November, nor do you have to support any of his policies or agendas.  I’m not voting for him in November.  I disagree with him on a  wide range of issues and philosophies.  I’ll tell you this though, I am going to stand firmly behind whatever his response is.  This is what will give us strength and make the response effective.  When we are attacked, we have to stand together.  Nothing else is more important.  Make it clear to all that you won’t tolerate anything else.

Sincerely,
Representative Steven Smith
Sullivan County NH District 5

Thank you to all my supporters. I am very humbled by the dedication of the volunteers who worked the polls all day. I want to thank the towns that are new to me for their solid support. Having just met each other, I did not expect the level of support that we found. I understand that you are taking a chance on me and I will not let you down. I will not be an absentee Representative and I will honor your trust by always being available to hear your concerns. Finally, I especially want to thank the Democrats in Charlestown, Goshen, Lempster, and Washington who wrote me in on their ballots. I fully understand the trust that you have placed in me and I will do my very best to live up to it.

Representative Steven Smith