Vote to restore nation's principles
To the editor:
Many voters now recognize how "change" has pushed our state and nation in the wrong direction, particularly since a transformation toward centralized-government planning has picked up speed in the last few years. The ideas that Americans fought to defeat in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and two World Wars have now taken hold in Concord and in Washington, pushed by a cadre of radical advocates of government power. Our way of life and the hope for our children's prosperity is waning as a result.
The 2010 elections in New Hampshire and throughout the United States present an opportunity to peacefully reclaim our birthrights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without government interference. We the People have the chance to restore our well-documented system of limited government, free enterprise and individual liberty that once led to the most prosperous nation the Earth has seen, where everyone had a chance to work hard and achieve his or her dreams. We have the chance to restore true charity, where we give of ourselves because we personally choose to, not because arrogant politicians take our money by force and redistribute it to those who haven't earned it.
To seize this election opportunity, we as voters and individuals must assume our personal responsibility and fully evaluate the various candidates running for the representative, senator, governor, state senator or state representative positions. We can no longer afford to vote for candidates who "have the best chance to win" or whom friends, family or neighbors recommend.
All serious candidates have websites and are otherwise trying to give you the chance to meet them. Use those opportunities. We must do our due diligence and vote with conscious minds for the candidates whom will best reflect the values and principles we personally hold dear. If we all do this, we could end up with the right people in the New Hampshire Legislature and in Congress. We could even reclaim our liberty and our chance to achieve our own idea of happiness through our own hard work.
The people of New Hampshire know that our politics aren't necessarily about Republicans or Democrats anymore. Our future must be about honorable men and women of their word, who will say what they'll do and do what they say.
We the People have the power in this land, if only we will use it peacefully when we all have the opportunity. I urge all of you reading this to exercise your full legal power on Sept. 14 and Nov. 2 and vote for the right people with the right ideas.
Andrew J. Manuse
Derry
Ayotte is best choice for Senate
To the editor:
On Sept. 14, I will be casting my vote for Kelly Ayotte for U.S. Senate.
I became interested in Kelly's campaign last year, when I heard she was stepping down as our state's attorney general to run for the first time for political office. As the first woman ever to hold the attorney general position, she earned a reputation for being a tough, conservative crime fighter. She worked hard to keep our children safe by cracking down on sexual and Internet predators, leading efforts that became law. She also took it upon herself to personally prosecute the man responsible for gunning down Officer Briggs in Manchester, which she did successfully.
I have been fortunate enough to meet Kelly Ayotte on a few occasions, and I am always struck by how down to earth she is. She and her husband, Joe, an Iraq war veteran who currently serves in the Air National Guard, started a landscaping and snow plowing business. I also discovered that Kelly attended the same college I did (Penn State) and is the mother of two young children. She has middle-class values, knows what it's like to own a small business and knows what it's like to have family in the military.
With her background, I feel that she understands the issues that are important to me, such as the economy, jobs and national security. I know that if she wins, Kelly will go to Washington and work hard every day to fight for New Hampshire families, just like she has already proven to have done so here in our state.
The stage is set for a showdown for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Sept. 14, but I think Kelly has what it takes to win. Please go to her website at ayotteforsenate.com for more information about her plans to bring New Hampshire common sense to Washington and how you can get involved.
Lara McIntyre
Londonderry
Don't change course as we're moving ahead
To the editor:
After being laid off twice in under a year, I know how challenging it has been to find work in this recession. I know I'm not alone — there are still too many people out of work. The good news is that New Hampshire is listed by MSNBC as one of 10 states with "ridiculously low unemployment." Our unemployment rate of 5.8 percent is more than 3 points below the national average and MSNBC says it's because of our economy's mix of agriculture, tourism and manufacturing.
We can thank Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter for her part in protecting jobs and the economic diversity of New Hampshire. In the past two years, Shea-Porter has been working for us in Washington, securing millions of dollars in funding for New Hampshire projects and voting for legislation that improves our quality of life and our state's infrastructure, and ultimately creates jobs. She secured funding that increased the number of law enforcement officers, improved highways and bridges, renovated and improved fire stations, added employees and technological support at community health centers, helped dairy farmers, and created and maintained jobs at the Naval Yard.
We can thank Gov. John Lynch and the state Legislature for acting quickly to develop and implement job training programs that allowed companies to hire new employees without paying for training costs, and enabled unemployed workers to get training for new positions. Not only did these programs put many to work, but they were also budget-neutral.
As we get closer to election time, I think it's important to vote to keep our state's economic progress on track. The Republican candidates only tell you what they won't do. There is certainly more work to be done, but why would we want to reverse the policies and replace the leadership that are clearly moving us forward?
Betsy Burtis
Derry
Lamontagne has a positive message
To the editor:
While Kelly Ayotte and Bill Binnie continue to sling mud at each other, there is a better choice for Republicans in the upcoming primary — conservative Ovide Lamontagne.
Ovide has consistently run a positive, message driven campaign. This is no surprise for anyone who knows Ovide. Ovide is a man you would be proud to have representing us in Washington. He is a man of integrity, principle and conviction.
Ovide Lamontagne is a proven and tested conservative. He will fight to stop the out-of-control spending in Washington. He's an advocate of less government and lower taxes, and supports term limits. Ovide's a social conservative who supports traditional family values. He's the only conservative with a track record we can trust. That's why we need Ovide Lamontagne to be our next U.S. Senator!
Dan Linehan
Danville
High Sheriff
Rockingham County (Ret.)
Knock-offs don't belong at farmers market
To the editor:
It's been a couple of months since I've called the town offices in Derry and voiced my concern to Beverly Ferrante about the illegal sales of the brand name "Pandora" bracelets at our local farmers' market. During the conversation she assured me that the woman selling the "knock offs and also not sterling silver" would be working her way into another line of jewelry in which she would be using beads and making her own jewelry, not those using a leading jeweler's protected name.
I am reporting now that as of September 1, 2010, the last Wednesday of the farmers' market, that these products are still being sold.
Not only is this vendor using a trademark name to advertise her knock-offs, it is against the written Town of Derry Farmers' Market Policies and Procedures. Under "items not permitted for sale", it states that mass-produced or manufactured items are prohibited.
The beads that are being sold to fit "Pandora-like" bracelets and the bracelets themselves that are stamped "Pandora" are imitation and the person selling them and also Beverly Ferrante and the committee that allowed the sales are obstructing the law. This is a serious offense. Recently published in the Derry News, people were arrested for selling counterfeit merchandise. The article stated that "in their continuing battle against counterfeit merchandise being sold at the Derry Flea Market, police arrested three more vendors."
I love the farmers' market. Not only is it a good venue for local farmers to bring their goods to town, local artisans who exhibit and sell their wares inspire us all to a healthy community, gathering, celebrating and prospering through this local weekly event.
However, this type of blatant sale of imitation goods ruins the integrity of our farmers' market. Why not then, sell knock-off Coach or Lacoste items? Why not line the street with vendors from New York selling, belts stamped Gucci and bags with what resembles Coach emblems?
Buyer beware!
Lynn M. Murphy
Derry
