YOUR COMMENTS

Ah, those "true" Republicans. I would assume that those are the ones who promised fiscal responsibility while running the deficit up five trillion dollars in the last eight years? The ones who talk about smaller government and then increase the size of the government by 60% in the last eight years? The ones who talk about personal responsibility but have yet to even reprimand one of their own over corruption and sexual exploits that make me wish for more cigars? Or are they the ones who now deny that they voted for these things or were duped by their party into voting for these things? Get them back. You can get rid of Social Securtiy, regulation of food drugs, have higher health care costs all while shoveling billions to the already wealthy. Others have different ideas.
- Robert, Deerfield

"Just like we are sick of all you republicans now - in 10 years we'll be sick of the democrats in power - and so on and so on. - Frank, Dover NH". Frank from Dover please don't put ALL Republicans in the same catagory. There are many TRUE Republicans that don't even get elected that could do a much better job representing the people. Anger towards everyone because they belong to a certain group is like being angry towards a group who wants a tax cap. We need to stop the labeling and start helping to make our country, state and local communities better.

Robert M Tarr
Proud to be a Republican
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester

Just like we are sick of all you republicans now - in 10 years we'll be sick of the democrats in power - and so on and so on.
- Frank, Dover NH

Fiddling while Rome burns.

That's it Democrats, whoop it up. Have a grand time at the inauguration. Party while the economy tanks and Americans suffer.

Not smart at all.
- Tom, Campton

I can't help but wonder aloud if they (the Democrats) had left the budget alone and not increased spending by 17.5% ($475 million if I have my numbers correct), how pretty this state would be sitting financially. We would only be looking at a $25 million deficit, would not have BORROWED to balance last years budget, and the state would be in a better position than all others for when the economy starts to rebound.

So, my solution to the fiscal mess that the Democrats have gotten this state into is sumple, roll the budget BACK to the numbers it was at BEFORE they raised spending by $475 million, and then try to cut the $25 million from that to balance it all. (That was hard)
- Mark, Nottingham

Christian Callahan would be an excellent candidate to oppose Carol Shea Porter. Callahan has great ideas that are unique from what you hear from mainstream politicians from either party. I wish him the best of luck and hope to see his name in the future.
- Linda B., Manchester, NH

Will any reporter with his or her salt ask Gov Lynch how and why they raised taxes in the midst of a recession despite having all that financial information at their fingertips and hopefully living in the real world and now they have to cut what they raised and some more besides?

Don't expect an answer. He'll just smile like Jeanne Shaheen and speak without saying a single thing of merit as he sits on his Concord fence.
- RG, Manch

I believe there is a grassroots statewide movement among all NH taxpayers to control spending and set the expectation of reliable government. Gov. Lynch anf Speaker Norelli obviously still need in a lesson in reliability public service given NH's first tragic deficit of 300 million of our money vs. their spending.

Taxpayers this is your state and your tax dollars - if our state government cannot provide financially sound fiscal policies it is our job to teach them --- get involved in the tax cap movement today www.theNHadvantage.com
- Roger, Nashua

Just to clarify John's Distaso column item on NHAC. We are on the ballot in Concord and Manchester next November. We are working for ballot access in for November in Portsmouth.
- Mike Biundo, Manchester

The headline of this article is downright terrifying. The same people who increased the general fund spending 17% are now tasked with getting us out of the $500 million hole they put us in. The good news is that there will be no Bush backlash in 2010. The bad news is that there's a lot of damage these spend-and-tax-and-borrow legislators can do to our state between now and then. If the last two years is any indication, we have much to fear.
- Keith M., Manchester

Did the PSNH poll break down the data into subgroups - those who did not lose power and those who did? Did it further break down those who lost power into the length of time they were without electricity?
- Bill Siroty, Amherst