Page 8 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Saturday, October 6, 2012
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LETTERS How would Lamb have voted & how would he restore funding? To the editor, Paul Phillips letter strongly supporting Bob Lamb’s candidacy for New Hampshire Senate District 2 is not one filled with positive attributes of Mr. Lamb and his positions on issues important to voters. Instead it is a negative diatribe against Senator Forrester and her so-called “record” claiming that she is controlled by “shadowy”, out-of-state super PACs and “bullies” within her political party. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jeanie Forrester has truly been a citizen legislator in the true spirit of New Hampshire, whose singular purpose is serve her constituents, listen to and help resolve their problems and concerns. I have taught several classes on Critical Thinking at Plymouth State University over the years. Such classes focus on evaluating reasoning and evidence to support arguments, and examining flaws in those arguments or conclusions. Mr. Phillip’s letter is replete with reasoning fallacies and distortions while offering little evidence to support his claims. His chief allegation, that Senator Forrester actions are controlled by outside interests and party bullies borders on a personal attack on her character rather than her actions. Just because one agrees with a philosophical approach of living within our fiscal means and smaller, more effective government does not equate to “signing away her District 2 vote to out-of-state groups working directly against the interests of the voters here in District 2”. Where’s the proof? In attempting to link Senator Forrester to those seemingly unfavorable PACs, Phillips creates a “straw man” that is easy to attack and is a distortion. Mr. Phillips attack on Jeanie’s voting record ”which hurt us” is filled with appeals to emotions and popularity (eg.”slash”,”decimate”) while omitting significant information and alternative causes to explain her votes. The most significant omission is that Senator Forrester and her colleagues inherited a structural state deficit of between $800 and $900-million. This deficit was created by the Democratically-controlled Legislature over a four year period with excessive spending and unrealistic state revenue projections. Jeannie and others were elected to eliminate that deficit without massive tax increases and balance the state budget. This called for difficult choices on spending amounts and priorities, but the goal was accomplished. How would Bob Lamb have voted and how would he restore and finance funding levels complained about in Mr. Phillips letter? There are alternative explanations to many of the complaints in Mr. Phillips letter. For example: The state Medicaid reimbursement policy was changed because the U.S. Government sued the state over the previous reimbursement methodology. State redistricting for representa-
tives and senators was caused by population changes resulting from the 2010 census and the necessity of complying with the federal “one man, one vote” requirement. Bob Lamb did not single handedly restore Holderness to Senate District 2. Senator Forrester worked behind the scenes to accomplish that result. Holderness residents and state legislators know that and have stated that. The voter ID bill does not disenfranchise anyone. Voters without proper identification will still be permitted to cast a ballot by signing a “challenged voter” affidavit verifying their name and address. This whole issue is another straw man fallacy. One needs an ID for travel, many purchases and admission to federal buildings and sites. It is overwhelming supported by a majority of citizens of all political persuasions. There is a DMV office in Tamworth. Not as convenient for some, but the Laconia-Belmont closing was the result of budget balancing which was made directly by DMV. Democrats raised the tobacco tax five times in four years from around $.50/pack to $1.78, but state revenues did not triple. New Hampshire had traditionally priced “sin” products like tobacco and alcohol competitively so that out of state visitors would be attracted to purchase here. The slight reduction in the tobacco tax was an attempt to restore some of that traditional competitiveness. Jeanie’s votes on “women’s rights” and “worker’s rights” need further explanation. Many feel that waiting 24 hours before having an abortion to consider its ramifications and limiting the medical procedure of partial birth abortion are common sense and humane approaches. Voting for a state “right to work” bill empowers the individual, not the labor unions and increases state attractiveness for businesses. As an adjunct at Plymouth State University, where is my freedom to work free from being forced to join a labor bargaining unit of SEIU representing adjuncts? Jeanie Forrester is not controlled by PACs or “bullies”. She voted in the minority (23-1) on the law to permit auto dealers to register cars in favor of towns. Most importantly, Jeanie led the fight to enact legislation to preclude the use of eminent domain by private companies in the Northern Pass project. This action was to protect the rights of her constituents, not to please her legislative colleagues. Jeanie Forrester is a Senator for all the people. She is one of us, and she deserves our vote. PS. In the interests of full disclosure, Mr. Phillips is the chair of Plymouth area Democrats and my spouse, Carol (a registered independent) is Jeanie Forrester’s volunteer campaign manager. Richard R. Gerken Meredith