A Sullivan County Republican Committee View: Why the Property Tax Narrative Misses the Point

In New Hampshire, property taxes are not a theoretical issue. They show up in escrow payments, rent increases, and “maybe we should move” conversations at kitchen tables across Sullivan County. So when we hear speeches and posts claiming that property taxes are high because Republicans “shifted burdens,” “broke promises,” or “underfunded” education, we think the… Continue reading A Sullivan County Republican Committee View: Why the Property Tax Narrative Misses the Point

The Joys of Open Enrollment

In the recent Claremont SAU6  deliberative session, a seemingly innocuous warrant article on Open Enrollment was defended by progressives and the administration as essential.  When (recently sworn in) Councilor Cogswell described the evils of true Open Enrollment in utterly socialist terms, I smelled a rat. His description of not letting "our" money leave Claremont was… Continue reading The Joys of Open Enrollment

Faubus, Walz, and the Old American Sport of “Federalism When Convenient”

America has a charming habit: we rediscover “states’ rights” every time the federal government starts doing something our faction hates. The principle stays in the closet until it matches the outfit. In 1957, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus staged the classic: state power deployed to frustrate federal authority, wrapped in the language of “public order.” When… Continue reading Faubus, Walz, and the Old American Sport of “Federalism When Convenient”

Ian Underwood speaking at the monthly SCGOP meeting 11 November 2025

Rethinking Education: Fairness, Funding, Fun Here’s the gist of Ian Underwood’s talk and slide deck, boiled down for a quick read. Scroll down for a copy of the presentation deck and a link to video. The argument in one breath New Hampshire keeps spending more and getting the same results. That’s not a money problem;… Continue reading Ian Underwood speaking at the monthly SCGOP meeting 11 November 2025

Insufficient and Unfair, or Just Misdiagnosed?

The Democratic case in brief The argument starts with a moral contrast. New Hampshire is a wealthy state, yet its budgets allegedly underfund core needs such as housing, clean energy, public safety, and education. Four points drive the claim. Leaders say “no funds available,” which is presented as a choice rather than a constraint. High… Continue reading Insufficient and Unfair, or Just Misdiagnosed?

Locke, Lenin, and Local Power: Claremont’s Test of Consent

When citizen consent is limited to elections, institutions that look democratic can operate like disciplined clubs, which is why elite circulation and oligarchic drift need counterweights. Two classic blueprints for political organization still shape local government. John Locke’s account of democracy treats office as a revocable trust grounded in majority consent and limited powers. Vladimir… Continue reading Locke, Lenin, and Local Power: Claremont’s Test of Consent