The people of New Hampshire need to pay attention to how the new majority, the Democrats, in their government is conducting business. The Constitution of the State of New Hampshire states that the adherence of those in government to the fundamental principles of the Constitution and all the social virtues are necessary to the preservation of liberty, and the people have the right to require their lawgivers (Legislators) and magistrates (the Governor) an exact and constant observance of them in the formation and execution of the laws.
But… that is not what happened the night of June 4, 2008. After the regular session, in the dark of the night, those in power contorted the Constitution to allow them to pass laws and spend money without the oversight of the public. They pretended an emergency in one part of a five part spending bill in order to jettison the committee process and public hearings. They claimed that Part 2, Article 50 gave the governor the power to call the Legislature to session at anytime. However, in 1975 the supreme court gave the opinion that the purpose of Article 50 was so that the Governor could call for a session when the Legislature was adjourned for an extended time, and therefore, not assembled. Last Wednesday, the Governor called a session when both the House and the Senate were assembled; they were sitting in their seats, in their chambers, in Concord. It is clear that the purpose for the new Session was new rules, rules with no committees and no public hearings. The minority party, the Republicans, fought doggedly for public accountability (Part 1, Article 8), but lost. The purpose of the new rules was an end run around you, the people.
Add to this the justification for the special session, the pretended emergency. The issue in questions was the necessity to borrow up to $40,000,000 to pay the States portion of School District Bonds, if we are in deficit on June 30, 2008. This is the equivalent of using one credit card to pay another. However, we have a two year budget. From an accounting perspective, June 30, 2008 is hardly more significant than May 31, 2008. The only date that really matters is June 30, 2009. In fact, we were $37M in deficit on June 30, 2002, but balanced by June 30, 2003. Right now, we are projected to be slightly in the black on June 30, 2008. And, all this when we have $89M in the bank. There was no emergency.
Why borrow from Wall Street when you can borrow from yourself? Because that’s what Wall Street, whom we’ll be borrowing from suggested. The Democrats believe you have a balanced budget if you have an open credit card.
The bottom line is this. The people need to look at those running as legislators this year. They need to find out if the candidates voted to violate the Constitution and its required public accountability. Elect legislators who will adhere strictly to the Constitution, the people’s shackles upon government. Then the people must exercise their rights and hold those in government accountable.
