YOUR COMMENTS

Dear Editor,

I know if I send and email to Ms. Shea-Porter's email on her web page, it won't be answered, ( I have done so 3 times now), so I want to present a simple challenge to her to respond to her constituents of District 1:
Ms. Shea-Porter if you could in a 3-5 sentence response, please explain your rationale for voting for this bill?
A second question is, since you voted for this bill, please honestly answer whether you have yet read the entire bill before you voted for it. This is a YES OR NO answer PLEASE!
As a quick follow on, please again BRIEFLY explain where you believe the money is coming from to support this bill.
Regards,
Paul
unemployed and hurting!
- Paul, Candia

Looks like all the voters who were out to get the Republicans and teach them a lesson, got themselves again. State Democrats take, Federal Democrats take even more. Maybe they ought to be called Demoncrats! The devils take everything you've got! Or better yet, De mean crats! They are so mean to their subjects!
This would be funny if it wasn't going to costs so much. I don't know but I've been told some of the "Energy Tax" money will go directly to the U.N.
Maybe it's time to do like the Russians and Eastern Europeans did, dump their tyrannical governments. Mrs. Pelosi, tear up this electric bill!
It sure didn't take long for the people they dumped to come over here and ruin America! All they did was paint themselves Blue and vaguely talk about "change". I guess what they really meant was after they got done taking the dollars from you they leave you a little change , one cent to be exact!
They are going to have to suspend the constitution and next election to stay in office.
Do you remember, the bills you had to pay? will become a Republican theme song for the next election. I can see the election map during the mid term elections color right now it's.
-RED,Republican Red!
Change, change change, sing the BLUES!!!!!
p.s. you Republicans out there start acting like what your supposed to be, you don't want to lose the next election because of confusion, do you?
- Steve, s0055d@comcast.net

Hail Victory! Hail Victory! Iam shocked though not at all surprised. My Representative carol shea-pelosi wont take a stand on anything I ask her about, global warming, a potential assault weapon ban, healthcare, all for the reason that she "does not take a position before a bill is introduced". When a bill is introduced and it takes her 3 weeks to respond to comments, yet she votes on it in 12, that is a problem.

There are two logical solutions to ensure that every American wins and special interest groups lose their power:

Repeal the 17th amendment. We used to elect only national representatives, not senators. Previously Senators were selected from the state congress. They could be recalled by their state if need be. The recall was dismissed by the 17th amendment. It is time to repeal it to return accountability to the citizens.

Second add a new constitutional amendment that adds power of recall to US representatives and senators. When a representative decides to vote for a bill that will adversely affect his or her constituents they can through legal process be recalled.

Put me in the US house of representatives and I will introduce bills to accomplish both. I will set an example of publically listing every meeting with lobbyists, rather than hiding behind political rhetoric when asked about them. Special interest groups will hate me, as my only interest will be the welfare of the citizens of NH.
- Michael Layon, Derry

I wonder how many votes pelosi had to extort and buy this time.
- Rick, ossipee

A number of people asked why the rush on this obscenity of a bill.

Simple.

This is not an election year; 2010 is. They're counting on your forgetting all about this by then. The really sad thing is that they're probably right.
- Paul, Fremont

The worse the better. November 2010 revolution is only 16 short months away!
- Dmitry, Ossipee

I'm a little confused. Isn't NH, and most of the northeast, under RGGI... a cap-n-trade program?
And didn't Massachussets vs. EPA result in a US Supreme Court finding in favor of Massachussets?
So what changes will this law represent? And what would be the other outcome should the EPA have to mandate emission on the gases in question across the board on mobile and non-mobile sources?
- John Edward Mercier, Belmont

Another unrelastic bill that just tossed all Americans under the bus. I agree that this country needs to move ahead to build new ways of meeting or energy needs efficiently and reducing our dependency on oil from the middle east.

At this time this bill just plunges the economy into more chaos at a time that we cannot handle any more tremors.

The ones that are going to suffer the most are seniors. After seeing Obama's 1 hour pep speach oh health care I have a better understanding that the US Governement wants us all dead before we hit 65 or 67 or whatever the sliding scale will be for our retirement age so we won't have to use a penny of medicare or file even for one payment from Social security.

With the bill I forsee the recession lasting well into late 2011 and beyond.

The politicians are so ought of touch with reality, when they pass a tax do they seriously expect business to just "eat" it?

If they do then they are the most niave idiots on the face of the planet. We are going to see high costs trying to heat our homes, pay for gas in our cars and will end up paying more for goods and services as businesses will pass along the costs to the end consumer, US.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

Marissa,

You should send your post here to Shaheen and Gregg. This legislation will destroy small business. Shaheen claims to be for small business. I will also be contacting her.
- Free Bird, Manchester

This bill is NOT a tax increase or at least that is what the SDP is telling us. (Socialist Democrat Party) What this bill will do, if passed by the Senate, is a number of things including payment of billions of US dollars earned by us folks to foreign countries who do not want to reduce their CO2 output. So we will pay them to leave their forests uncut. This bill also has a provision that will all but shut down the coal industry as well as coal and fossil fuel fired electric generating plants. If any of these businesses can afford to stay in business it will only be because the costs are passed on to us saps, hence a "tax" in essence. Those who cannot afford to stay in business will shut down and more jobs lost.

This bill also provides for a cash payment every month to people at the poverty level (homeless, unemployed, unemployable, illegal aliens, etc) to offset their inability to pay for the increased energy costs and unemployment caused by this bill. Every single company that manufactures anything in the US uses energy and will pass these costs on to us saps.

Both Spain and Australia tried this liberal "save the earth plan" and are now in very bad shape. Spain has 18% unemployment as a result. (Oooops, I forgot about Bush, maybe he's at fault for that also.)

If there is anyone out there who is not scared for their country, please let us all know.

Every citizen of NH should be calling Mr Hodes and Miss Shea-Porter and asking them why they voted to destroy our economy, or at least what's left of it.

This global warming religion has been around for over 20 years and we are seeing the effect of the constant indoctrination of Americans to believe this garbage in spite of every bit of evidence to the contrary, such as cooler temps, over 700 scientists debunking the theory, no ice caps melting etc.

I called Mr Hodes' office as I'm sure many others did. But they passed this garbage on a Friday evening, and then left for the holiday. Gutless cowards and they are not listening to any of us. They are banking on the fact that we will forget by 2010 or we will be getting part of the payout and then vote for them anyway.

Wake up folks, we are slowly losing our freedom.
- Melvin, Keene

Jim Peschke, it's not the parties involved, it's the principles (or lack thereof) of the candidates. Elections MUST stop being beauty contests, and candidates must start being more accountable. The only way to rein all of them in is with term limits limiting the amount of time they have to do permanent damage.
- R, Raymond

Marissa, Rochester: Very well said - I am not a business owner - but I also do my part to be "earth friendly" just as you do and a good many other NH folks do also. What I will never understand is, that if good common NH folks such as you and I and lot of other commenters can see through the disaster in the making of this legislation, then why can't Congress? The only answer I can come up with is that they do, they just still have too many campaign contributors to be paid off to care about us.
You all do realize that the folks who are really going to clean up on this is Wall Street? And probably China who will buy as many permits as they can and then sit on them until we're strangling.
P.S. In the Senate it will be a split vote. Shaheen will do what Pelosi tells her to do, Gregg will vote "no".
- sandy, thornton

Before we get all partisan on this issue, please remember that 44 Democrats voted against this piece of legislative excrement. Eight Republicans voted for it.

Congress needs an enema, but let's strike with precision. Wasn't it our very own RINO Bob Odell who helped saddle NH with its latest tax-n-spend budget nightmare? I'd take almost any Democrat over him.
- Jim Peschke, Croydon, NH

First of all I am apolitical. I am a registered independent. And this is my very first post to anything even remotely political.

I own a small specialty food company here in NH.

We believe in doing our part to pass on a cleaner, healthier environment to our children and grandchidren.

With this mission, we recycle everything from cardboard to tin to glass and paper and all in between. We also produce as much by hand as possible to cut down on our energy use and greenhouse gases. We are a big believer in green living (and working).

However, with that said, this bill will put us (and many other micro family companies out of business).

We're just getting by in this economy. We struggle as a small company to pay our electric and gas bills now. If they are increased (at all, never mind doubled) we are in deep trouble. Not to mention the dramatic cost increases in glass, tin and raw food procurements, which will put our COGS out whack price point wise. And deemed way too expensive in the free market (especially in this down economy).

The only businesses that will survive will be the huge corporations who will outsource much of their raw materials and labor.

I just don't understand why government is rushing to pass such a bill in these troubled times. It makes no sense. At all.

Like I said, I do my part to help foster a cleaner environment. It's not fair that I'm being punished and forced out of a business that I've sunk my heart, soul and life savings into.

Please (please, please, please) Senators Sheehan and Gregg, vote NO.
- Marisa, Rochester, NH

The cost for EVERYTHING just went up dramatically if the Senate passes this Marxist take over of the economy.
This is the tax increase that best suits the Democrat Party - insidious, hidden and all encompassing.
Chairman Zero is moving as fast as possible to complete his coup.
Imagine how happy his buddy Hugo Chavez is today... another bonus for foriegn oil producers!
This MUST be stopped before we all have to stand in bread lines.
- Dennis Hamel, Henniker

And surprise surprise...good ol' Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes voted for this bill. Nice to see they are willing to raise NH's taxpayers energy taxes by thousands...these liberal tax lovers need to get out of NH and back to California where they belong!
- Ryan Feltner, Manchester, NH

I see that the Democrats have adopted the "No Tax Left Behind" legislative approach. Are they taxing the air that we breathe yet?
- Todd, Atkinson

stupid ideas that have NOTHING to do with what he promised on his campaign.

- John M, Manchester

But that is exactly the problem John. Obama did not really say anything or get asked any real questions during the election. All I heard was a lot of vague fluff from Obama and nothing in the form of real questions from the media. And God forbid any follow up questions to the meaningless answers he gave.

But at least we have our first black president and our first woman speaker of the house. It seems as a people we have lost the ability to pick leaders based on real past accomplishments in the areas they need to manage. I call it the dumbing down of America and it starts in our classrooms. Remember everyone it is wrong for anyone to fail so we can not teach the kids to compete or mark their school work in red ink. It is also wrong to achieve or prosper so we must punish those who do as well and if you don’t want to achieve not to worry government will take care of you with the taxes of those who still try to get ahead as they run into the brick wall of government at every turn.
- Deb, Derry

Dave, maybe if people had time to think they would come up with successful programs to deal with issues. Why is the Congress moving at such warp speed on these massive bills in every sector of our economy? Why aren't the legislators given time to understand what they are voting for? Why isn't there healthy debate about the pros and cons? Why aren't the 47% percent of voters who did not agree with Obama's agenda given the chance to be heard?
- jem, rye

If one is in a business that uses 'energy' above normal office lights, computers, heat or air conditioning.... that is a business that uses energy to make, build or design 'things'... then you can bet they will be looking to OUTSOURCE that manufacturing if this Democrat sponsored bill becomes law. It is really not that hard, there are many available manufacturing spots around the world that do not have a 1600 page unread bill that prevents them from doing profitable business!
- mike, Goffstown

Dave (Sandwich) consider this, the cap and trade bill discourages domestic production of oil and gas and ENCOURAGES MORE IMPORTS due to the additional taxes, penalties, and restrictions. Now, where in that is a GOP talking point? Not knowing exactly your political leaning, perhaps you should read the bill yourself. I've read enough of it to make me sick!
- R, Raymond

thats it,the last straw.Both Hodes and Shea Porter have to go ! Not one word in the bill about Nuclear energy,expanded drilling for Nat gas and oil here in the US.
Just wait till the ele bill goes up and they ration fuel oil (yep that was in there).
- Dave, Newbury

Dave in Sandwich, saying "yes we can" means you can actually do something WITHOUT ASKING GOVERNMENT TO DO IT FOR YOU and with someone else's money!

What science? The science that's been debunked over and over, the reason why Australia just axed their own version of this for lack of proof?

This is a TAX that will DESTROY THE ECONOMY, and drooling moonbats like you are now the enemy of everything America stands for.
- Mike R., Bedford

"Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase." - Barack Obama, candidate for President.

Obama also said his Cap and Trade plan--the very one passed yesterday--would cause our electric rates to "skyrocket." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlTxGHn4sH4)

Policy should be based on scientific fact, Dave in Sandwich--but the FACT is that there is NO CONSENSUS on the man-made cause of global climate change. There hasn't even been any serious debate within the scientific community and anyone who challenges the claim is cast as a pariah.
- William Smith, Manchester, NH

Anyone have any bets on what the State-run media's take will be on this? Will they do some honest reporting, or will they follow their typical North-Korea-esque style of reporting, taking about what a "great victory" this is for their Dear Leader who infests our White House? Will they talk about how even some democrats voted against this because they know it stands for the downfall of the American Economy and America itself, yet do nothing to help the non-existent problem of man-made climate change? Will they talk about the 300 pages of more pork that were injected into this bill 2 nights ago at 3am without being read? Will they talk about the Republicans calling the Democrat "leadership" out to the carpet for making such a move? Will they point out that their President called for lower dependence on foreign oil, yet supports a bill like this that will not allow for us to support our own energy needs? We all know the answers to these question. One BIG reason we are stuck with this unqualified man who calls himself "president" and these socialist goons running Congress is that our media is a lapdog, not a watchdog. We have, for the first time in our history, leaders who are systematically dismantling this country intentionally.

The only good news regarding this mammoth tax hike posing as a useful bill is that it will be shot down in the US Senate, where the ratio of responsible Democrats to Socialists is more in America's favor.

If this bill becomes law, America is finished. Let's all pray that the Senate does the right thing and shoots it down. Then we can praise God for letting us get out of this close call and start making real changes in 2010. We can all see now that democrats believe in a large centrally controlling government who steals our income and governs every aspect of our lives. It's time for them to leave. Socialism is a failure and so is Obama.
- Mike, Temple

Paul Hodes never read the 300 page ammendment and still votes yes. This Turkey wants to be a US Senator? In school if you didn't read the book for the book report you failed....
- Andy, milford

Typical Republican field day among the UL commenters today. Lots of generic complaints about Obama, the coming Socialist takeover, parroting of the Republican line that the 'energy tax' is an end of civilization as we know it, blah, blah.... but not one single rational idea about how we should act to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Denial this outrageous does not form the basis of a sound public policy, which should be based on scientific fact - and using the current financial crisis as an excuse to never pass important legislation again doesn't sound at all like the America I know. I wish the GOP would stop babbling about all the things we CAN'T do and start coming up with a few things we CAN do- but it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon.
- Dave, Sandwich

Who were the 8 insane Republicans who voted for this?
- Paul, Fremont

I'm shocked I tell you! Shocked! No not really. Seen this coming and preparing for what is to come.
These expletive deleteds holding office are loving the power that they are wielding. Absorbed by it.
Many have made great backroom, insider stock deals with energy groups that wanted this money grab.
All under the guise of "protecting the environment for the children and their children". What a load of carbonated bull dung.
And where is the DOJ? SEC? IRS? All government agencies funded by "the people"? I speculate that the directors of these agencies know full well what is happening and are just as complicit.
- Michael, Manchester

Democrats do not understand the implications for the upcoming 2010 elections.

I plan not to vote for any of them. They cannot be trusted with money. That be your money, my money or our money. They think it is theirs. It is not.

Obamanomics has already bankrupted the country and they still continue.

We have got to get them out pronto.
- Bob, Salem

The democrats in an orgy of self-loathig pass a bill to shut down business in the USA and double our electric bills. The democratic party is self-destructing in front of our eyes. How's that change working for you all ? No taxes for anyone making under $250,000.....what happened moonbats ?
- Jay Collins, Laconia

Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes are nothing but Nancy Pelosi's sock puppets. I can't wait to start paying more for all of my energy use. Thanks guys.
- Mike, Dunbarton

Vote Obama and get "Change"!

Like CHANGE our country from what is was built on to Obamas cracked out stupid ideas that have NOTHING to do with what he promised on his campaign.

Can't wait to see the landslide if he is dumb enough to run again.
- John M, Manchester

Well, Shea-Porter and Hodes can kiss their NH political careers good-bye
- Sharon, Manchester, NH

This is "not the change the US wanted."

Obama is a junior senator at best.
This is a smoke and mirrors piece of junk.
Why else would they add 300 pages at 3 AM??!?!?

Can anyone find anyone who will now admit
they voted for the junior senator/president?
- RG, Manchester

Gov Lynch please we need to enact emergency proceedings our federal government has been hijacked by terrorists bent on destroying the country I think they may be communist. we need to succeed from the union ASAP this new global tax is going to crush us at our weakest moment and I now believe we have been taken over. freedom is dying in the USA and many are not even paying attention Porter and Hodes voted for a bill to cave us in and didn't even read it!!!!!!!!!!re need to recall them NOW please this is serious! SAVE NH form the globalists
- bob, exeter

Who cares what the left wing nut jobs passed, this is DOA in the Senate. Kick the "Pelosi Twins" out of office in 2010.
- Alex K., Deering, NH

Looks like both of the Dem Reps from NH lost their spines and voted as they were told.

Can't wait for Nov 2010
- j, Bradford

A dark day for this country and probably a good time to consider looking abroad for living and business opportunities,
- mike, cornish

Speaking of climate change did any of our new green politicians ever wonder where the half mile thick ice sheet that covered the country down past New York went? It was here right where we live only ten thousand years ago and now it's gone. Yet many people seem to not even know it was here. It must have been the green house gases from the Native American Indians that made it melt. They also used tobacco. LOL

Is the goal of these new green party politicians really saving the planet from itself or is it simply a way to gain control by feeding the public a bunch of fear? As if any of them can really control anything this planet does.

They claim we have to rid ourselves of dependence on foreign oil yet we can not drill our own or build a refinery. The only threat to the nation I see is those some elected.
- Deb, Derry

In a few short years the cost of living here will be unbearable due to the high energy costs. Enjoy your cold dark house and shell out $300.00 to $600.00 per month for PSNH and thousands more for oil.

Carol Shea Porter; maybe you could be a lobbyist for the homeless when you leave congress next year.
- Chris, Merrimack

City democrats pass a tax hike. Concord democrats pass a tax hike. Washington democrats pass a massive tax hike. See a pattern here?
- Wayne s, Manchester

I called and wrote to Congresswoman Shea-Porter to ask her not to pass this bill, which is the largest tax increase in the history of our nation, without actually reading it first. Is that too much to ask??? It was 1600 pages in total and not released until early this morning. Obama PROMISED we would get to review legislation. Shea-Porter surely didn't ask to be elected by promising she would vote away our money without reading the actual Bills first. This is the second major Bill she has voted in favor of that she hasn't read. Unbelievable. We deserve better.
- Michael C, Londonderry

What a disaster! This is the greatest tax imposed on the American people in our history and will cost thousands of jobs.

If anything sinks the Obama administration cap and trade will be it! Watch the Dems fall in 2010.
- Perplexed Paul, Hampton, NH

If this passes, be ready for both your electric bill and heating bill to double. Any industry you work at will likely shut down or say "to hell with it" and close down. There will be disruptions in gasoline supply, and it will be over $6 a gallon.

And economy will be destroyed. This is what happens when you let obsessed children drive.

Waxman, you have to realize, is completely insane. Once you understand that, once you see the insanity he's written and truly believes, you'll be horrified by what's in the 1200 pages of this bill.

It will end America as we know it. Period.
- Mike R., Bedford

Yet another piece of half-baked Obamanation legislation. No one has read it - as usual. No one could keep up with the changes. Then Obama calls for passage citing crises and emergency and these fools fall all over themselves. And Nancy promises Dove Bars! Get ready for $7/gal gas, $500/mo. electricity bills, and $15/lb ground beef. And watch all the remaining American industry and manufacturing go overseas. Good going Congress, you know how to destroy a country. And Thank Shea-Porter and Hodes for falling in line with this stupidity.
- sandy, thornton

After attending the White House luau-pork-fest, Pelosi's puppet-twins Hodes & Shea-Porter helped deliver the largest tax & energy increase in the history of the country, all in a down economy & faltering job market. They should resign in disgrace. Let's show them our "thanks" in 2010 for putting their party before their constituents.
- Mae, Plaistow

Gee, and no "I earn under $250,000 per year" concessions? Imagine that. What a load of crap this is. Even the EPA ignored critical data to provide Pelosi the smoke for her mirror.
- R, Raymond

Porter said she was going to vote for it
Where did Hodes stand? I called his office and they said he was on the fence. Did he pass this national sales tax?

Note: this is not an energy tax but a sales tax. Everything that is made will have higher cost and Al Gore will profit big time off of the common man again. He's moved up from selling the Lincoln room for profit to holding us all hostage.
- jcote, concord