YOUR COMMENTS

Maybe they are starting to wake up to the reality that you can't cut taxes without cutting spending. It sounds nice to say "cut taxes" but thats only in therory. Fact is you have to cut spending to be able to cut taxes. It would be nice to see people wake up to this reality.
- Towgo, Solon, Maine

The Republicanic party goes back to their roots of small government and fiscal responsibility every time they are thrown out of office. They forget the three trillion that Reagan added to the National Debt, then they forget the six trillion that Bush II added to the National Debt, then they forget the TARP giveaway to stock brokers and bankers and they forget anything that is inconvenient to their lust for looting and government handouts. Just get them back in and the stock market will stay level or plunge. Don't be the dupes that you have been in the past. The Republicanic party is what needs to be drowned in a bath tub.
- Billy, Deerfield

And Corey:

How about the Democrats.... party of tolerance, party of inclusion..... Your wild#%$ extreme liberal party knows nothing of it's past.

At least some of the Republicans are trying to regain their traditional values, unlike you ultra libs who have become so self-righteous, combative and extreme. Many in the Republican party have learned lessons in the past 4 years, we'll see if the Dems learn anything in 2010, or will they just blame someone else for their short comings.

I was a Dem, now an independent, soon may be a Republican, if you keep stealing my freedoms
- Fred H, Pembroke

Don't worry, they'll be plenty of time to mention spending when the democrats unveil their statewide income tax plan.
- PM, Milford, NH

My, my, my. How quickly we forget the GOP crafted taxes that haunt New Hampshire to this day, ala the Business Enterprise and Profits tax, and let's not forget it was Ted Gatsas's good friend Senator Jack "put 'em in camps" Barnes who enacted and made permanent the State property tax while he was Finance Chair in the Senate. And make no mistake, the GOP had the spending receipt to match their increased revenue streams! Hey Chairman Sununu, read my lips, NO New Taxes - sound familiar?
- Corey, Manchester

Not all Republicans favor big government and those that do hopefully will be primaried out next year. So add that to my previous comment - vote in the Republican primary and make sure the big-spending Republicans do NOT get elected. That way you will be able to vote for a strong limited-government slate of (R) candidates in November. Get involved now. Get to know the candidates. Question them extensively. Look at their voting records. If they are taxers and spenders - work to get a challenger elected. Everyone needs to step up. The system works if people participate. If you sit back and do nothing, you deserve whatever you end up with.
- Mark, Amherst

It certainly seems bizarre to go to the lengths of putting together a Spending Summit and then not making spending a priority. It certainly seems that these folks should be talking about spending before taxes.

Bragdon is usually pretty bright, but this editorial in on the money. He seemed to miss a golden opportunity here.
- Glen, Manchester, NH

I have to agree with Brad. In general, the Republican Party (for the most part) is going back to their traditional roots of smaller government, lower taxes and recognizing that getting out of the way of small business owners will be the way to create jobs.

I commend Mr. Bragdon and in fact all the Senators in providing transparency on their agenda. While I'm sure it does not illustrate every issue they will tackle, its impressive that they actually put it out there. Just think what the Liberal Spending Dems would produce for an agenda....

Concerning a Bill to cut spending, while I'm not a legislator, I'd think that they are waiting to see how the JUA, Medicare and overall economy progresses before taking action. There are several proposed Bills in the agenda where they are setting up the ability to cut, again, as stated by Brad.

While most of us conservatives desire less spending, I'd think that having a lever such as the JUA or 6 months of shortfalls will provide the impetus to introduce a measure. Just throwing one out now will be met with "spenders" accusing the GOP of Chicken Little tactics. I'd believe it will be much harder to fight against cuts when they can on longer claim to have control of the situation.

So, again this step of transparency shows the Senators are responding to the voters. One step at a time
- Thomas J, loudon

They didn't bring spending up because contrary to popular belief Republicans love spending just as much as Democrats.
- Tom, Manchester

Citizens of New Hampshire have to do two things first and foremost. One: If you don't know your Senator's or Representative's voting record, ask someone to look it up for you or check it on the NH.gov website. Second: Get out during the 2010 Primaries and General Elections and vote. If the people (majority) stay home thinking that their choice for Senator or Rep. will win, think again. Staying home, and on the side lines, will only result in New Hampshire imposing a sales tax or income tax. It's up to the people. We must all remember that. Just look at the new taxes and higher fees that came in 2009.
- Robert M Tarr, Manchester

Simple. It is easier this way, and more popular. Both parties would rather order and eat the meal and then not pay or just put it on the tab. The GOP is as guilty as the Dems on that regard.
- Steve B, Derry

It seems to me there were some good "lower spending" items in the Senate GOP agenda... allowing towns and school districts to adopt spending caps... requiring a 2/3 vote for the state to spend borrowed money, the same requirment towns and school districts have... requiring a 2/3 vote to spend money from the Rainy Day Fund... repealing some of last year's taxes, which would force reduced spending.

What's wrong with that? Good job, Senate Republicans. Too bad the Dems won't vote for any of your ideas (just like they didn't vote for your spending cuts earlier this year), but they're good ideas.
- Brad, Bow