Why I will be Running
I feel like the time is right to give something back. It's an exciting time to live in New Hampshire. I've studied and watched for a long time, building up a practical political framework. To have knowledge and not act to make the world better strikes me as a missed opportunity. I've lived in this state for over 33 years and want to see the continued adherence to principles which I feel make this state a great place to live and raise children.
I will also be running to get better at expressing myself to others who may have vastly different opinions than I do. I aim to make my campaign and term honest, open, and far more detailed than the usual soundbites given.
I recognize that it's unlikely I will be able to work toward even a fraction of what I propose here since I will be on a limited number of boards, but I am outlining my vision nonetheless.
I will also be running to get better at expressing myself to others who may have vastly different opinions than I do. I aim to make my campaign and term honest, open, and far more detailed than the usual soundbites given.
I recognize that it's unlikely I will be able to work toward even a fraction of what I propose here since I will be on a limited number of boards, but I am outlining my vision nonetheless.
A Summary of my Guiding Principles
- The purpose of society should be to maximize the actualization of goals of the members of that society
- Values are best expressed through the cost of action
- Currency should represent a contribution to society
- When possible, taxes should fall on bads before goods
Economic Growth and Jobs
While jobs aren't the end-all of human existence and certain forms of economic growth are unsustainable, New Hampshire needs more and better jobs to raise the standard of living and to retain a larger share of its young people.
My stance on job growth is one of eliminating outdated or arbitrary regulations on businesses and reducing taxes on earned income (as opposed to income through luck or privilege). It is also one of making education more practical and less process-based; giving people the tools to learn and become auto-didacts is more important than giving them information. What works should be settled in the marketplace with observable and provable metrics.
My stance on job growth is one of eliminating outdated or arbitrary regulations on businesses and reducing taxes on earned income (as opposed to income through luck or privilege). It is also one of making education more practical and less process-based; giving people the tools to learn and become auto-didacts is more important than giving them information. What works should be settled in the marketplace with observable and provable metrics.
Taxation
I will work to keep New Hampshire income- and sales-tax-free because I believe that these taxes interfere with voluntary trade; they are a tax on good things. I will work to eliminate the myriad sales taxes which attempt to ensnare out-of-staters; New Hampshire should be a beacon of freedom and not penalize those who are bringing revenue into the state.
I will work to eliminate the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. Profit, if it derives from voluntary transactions, is not something which should be discouraged. I would very much like to see businesses set up shop in New Hampshire and reducing taxes and compliance costs is one way to do that.
I will work to shift the statewide property tax to fall entirely on exclusive ownership of land and extraction of natural resources. I will work to allow localities to shift local property taxes to fall more heavily or entirely on land value instead of building and improvement values. This will spur new construction, reduce blight, promote urban compaction and, unintuitively, preserve more green and wild spaces overall.
I understand that this type of taxation falls on non-liquid assets and may hit the elderly and those on fixed incomes especially hard. Because of that, I favor either a transitional phase or the continuation of town-determined hardship exemptions.
I will work to eliminate the business enterprise tax and business profits tax. Profit, if it derives from voluntary transactions, is not something which should be discouraged. I would very much like to see businesses set up shop in New Hampshire and reducing taxes and compliance costs is one way to do that.
I will work to shift the statewide property tax to fall entirely on exclusive ownership of land and extraction of natural resources. I will work to allow localities to shift local property taxes to fall more heavily or entirely on land value instead of building and improvement values. This will spur new construction, reduce blight, promote urban compaction and, unintuitively, preserve more green and wild spaces overall.
I understand that this type of taxation falls on non-liquid assets and may hit the elderly and those on fixed incomes especially hard. Because of that, I favor either a transitional phase or the continuation of town-determined hardship exemptions.
Environmental Stewardship
New Hampshire's natural resources have inspired poets, outdoorsmen, and others for centuries. I feel that it is important to preserve the natural resources found within the borders of the state while recognizing private property rights.
I will work with hunting and fishing advocacy groups, private landowners, state departments, and private research groups to propose or promote legislation which balances these interests.
I will work with hunting and fishing advocacy groups, private landowners, state departments, and private research groups to propose or promote legislation which balances these interests.
Education
A learned populace is necessary for wealth creation and a stable republic. Unfortunately, the terms learning, education, and schooling have been conflated over the years. Schooling has become a works program, a daycare center, a way to indoctrinate children in obedience to arbitrary authority, and a place of disconnected rote learning.
There is no excuse for schooling to cost as much as it does per pupil with the hyper-availability of information afforded by the internet. There is little evidence that one form is better overall for all students than another. The problem with trying alternatives to public schooling is that the fruits of such efforts may not fully reveal themselves until twelve or more years later. Still, the latest research in auto-didactic learning should be applied and tested to find out if there are better alternatives. Unfortunately, the status quo does not want change.
I will push to allow the establishment and voucher funding of private, non-religious alternative schools. I will work to ensure that the only test that such schools must teach to is the one which life itself provides. Well-adjusted, competent graduates are the standard. There may be market mechanisms which provide long-term financial incentives for competent students. The argument that children shouldn't be subject to experimentation is moot because children already are lab rats! I will remind the reader that the long-term effects of fairly recent programs such as No Child Left Behind are unknown.
I reject any federal educational mandates. I reject statewide educational equalization, such as The Claremont Decision. I am against subsidizing failure even if it's done with noble intentions. If a school is good, it should "raise its own money" by increasing the real estate tax base by at least its operating cost. If that's not the case, then, per values being expressed via the cost of action, it's not worth it.
There is no excuse for schooling to cost as much as it does per pupil with the hyper-availability of information afforded by the internet. There is little evidence that one form is better overall for all students than another. The problem with trying alternatives to public schooling is that the fruits of such efforts may not fully reveal themselves until twelve or more years later. Still, the latest research in auto-didactic learning should be applied and tested to find out if there are better alternatives. Unfortunately, the status quo does not want change.
I will push to allow the establishment and voucher funding of private, non-religious alternative schools. I will work to ensure that the only test that such schools must teach to is the one which life itself provides. Well-adjusted, competent graduates are the standard. There may be market mechanisms which provide long-term financial incentives for competent students. The argument that children shouldn't be subject to experimentation is moot because children already are lab rats! I will remind the reader that the long-term effects of fairly recent programs such as No Child Left Behind are unknown.
I reject any federal educational mandates. I reject statewide educational equalization, such as The Claremont Decision. I am against subsidizing failure even if it's done with noble intentions. If a school is good, it should "raise its own money" by increasing the real estate tax base by at least its operating cost. If that's not the case, then, per values being expressed via the cost of action, it's not worth it.
Right to Work
Unions should have no special legal status and New Hampshire should remain a place where employers and employees are welcome to come to their own agreements or no agreements about unions or union membership. If a union wants to organize a walk-off, that's their prerogative. If an employer wants to replace all of those people with new workers, that's their prerogative. A union can force employees to join a union only if they have an explicit contract with the employer which grants them that privilege.
I do not favor right to work because it is an encroachment on the voluntary association of unions and an employer. However, I also do not support special privileges being granted to unions and right to work laws are a treatment of the symptoms of the former. Until and unless unions are no longer granted special privileges, I must hold my nose and support it.
I do not favor right to work because it is an encroachment on the voluntary association of unions and an employer. However, I also do not support special privileges being granted to unions and right to work laws are a treatment of the symptoms of the former. Until and unless unions are no longer granted special privileges, I must hold my nose and support it.
Federal Mandates and Autonomy
States have lost their autonomy to the federal government. In some cases, this is an explicit power grab from Washington. In other cases, the states willingly cede authority to D.C. in exchange for money. This end-run around the 10th amendment is disgusting and it leads to a one-size-fits-all approach where a small group of remote lawmakers and Americans in other states can affect the daily lives of New Hampshire residents.
I will push to reject federal money where politically viable in exchange for maintaining New Hampshire's autonomy. The problem remains that New Hampshire is a donor state and our citizens are taxed on income which then leaves the state.
I will push to allow citizens to write off as much of their local taxes as is practical. While this won't, by itself, lead to a reduction in overall taxes, it should lead to a generally higher level of services per dollar as well as greater program accountability. If possible, I will seek federal income tax remittance to the state first which will then send it to the federal government. This potentially gives the state more bargaining power.
I will push to reject federal money where politically viable in exchange for maintaining New Hampshire's autonomy. The problem remains that New Hampshire is a donor state and our citizens are taxed on income which then leaves the state.
I will push to allow citizens to write off as much of their local taxes as is practical. While this won't, by itself, lead to a reduction in overall taxes, it should lead to a generally higher level of services per dollar as well as greater program accountability. If possible, I will seek federal income tax remittance to the state first which will then send it to the federal government. This potentially gives the state more bargaining power.
Laws and Sunsets
Laws have a way of "caking up" after a while and becoming hacks and modifications of systems which no longer make sense. As a software engineer by trade, I recognize that occasionally software must be refactored.
I will push for a New Hampshire Constitutional Amendment which demands a sunset of one decade for all state laws which are not themselves amendments. If a law is a good idea, let it be voted on by a new group of people rather than letting younger generations be trapped by the decisions of their forebears.
I will push for a New Hampshire Constitutional Amendment which demands a sunset of one decade for all state laws which are not themselves amendments. If a law is a good idea, let it be voted on by a new group of people rather than letting younger generations be trapped by the decisions of their forebears.
Health Care
I reject forced health care mandates and support the current legislature's statement made by state senate bills SB148 and SB601. I support arrest and detainment of federal agents attempting to harass or otherwise enforce such mandates on New Hampshire residents.
Crime and Punishment
Prison should be reserved for those who are unable or unwilling to change such that they can be reincorporated into society at large. There are widely-explored reasons why people commit crime and ignoring them results in higher costs for both taxpayers and prisoners.
I am committed to finding the lowest-cost solution to dealing with crime so long as that solution respects the citizens of New Hampshire and works, where possible, to rehabilitate offenders. I am absolutely against filling prisons with those who have committed crimes which have no clearly-defined victim. In the cases where certain forms of action cause social harm, such as theft for a hard drug use habit, I am for treating offenders medically instead of locking them away. Why throw away perfectly good humans and pay to keep them incarcerated if they can be reformed?
I am committed to finding the lowest-cost solution to dealing with crime so long as that solution respects the citizens of New Hampshire and works, where possible, to rehabilitate offenders. I am absolutely against filling prisons with those who have committed crimes which have no clearly-defined victim. In the cases where certain forms of action cause social harm, such as theft for a hard drug use habit, I am for treating offenders medically instead of locking them away. Why throw away perfectly good humans and pay to keep them incarcerated if they can be reformed?
The Drug War
The drug war has not only cost billions of dollars nationally, but it has led to thousands of deaths, a prison system overwhelmed with non-violent offenders, the militarization of police, and the erosion of privacy.
I will call for an immediate ban on no-knock raids as these are a form of domestic terror and can easily lead to law enforcement officers and citizens, innocent or not, getting seriously hurt or killed. There are safer and more effective ways of apprehending suspects.
I will call for the immediate legalization of all marijuana use, medical or not, without state interference if possible. If that is not possible, then I will push to have it regulated and taxed like alcohol and cigarettes are - with growing for personal use or gifting not regulated. I will push for the arrest of any DEA agents arresting peaceful users or growers of marijuana when said marijuana is not used in actual interstate commerce.
I will push for legalization of other drugs where practical and addressing it as a medical problem where legalization is not politically viable.
Endangering others while under the influence of drugs, whether legal or not, should continue to be considered a crime of negligence. I support the right of private companies to drug test employees.
I will call for an immediate ban on no-knock raids as these are a form of domestic terror and can easily lead to law enforcement officers and citizens, innocent or not, getting seriously hurt or killed. There are safer and more effective ways of apprehending suspects.
I will call for the immediate legalization of all marijuana use, medical or not, without state interference if possible. If that is not possible, then I will push to have it regulated and taxed like alcohol and cigarettes are - with growing for personal use or gifting not regulated. I will push for the arrest of any DEA agents arresting peaceful users or growers of marijuana when said marijuana is not used in actual interstate commerce.
I will push for legalization of other drugs where practical and addressing it as a medical problem where legalization is not politically viable.
Endangering others while under the influence of drugs, whether legal or not, should continue to be considered a crime of negligence. I support the right of private companies to drug test employees.
Abortion
Abortion is a difficult issue where both sides are acting in good-faith. While I prefer evictionism, given a choice between only a pro-life and pro-choice stance, I must come down on the side of pro-choice. My decision is based on the information I have on human development and cognition and for the safety of women.
It is also informed by sociological studies which indicate that disrespected children grow up to become damaged adults at a much higher frequency than the baseline. This ultimately reduces into the stance that abortion is less socially costly than either forcing a parent to raise a child or putting the child in an orphanage.
Given that stance, however, makes me a proponent of a man's ability to refrain from being forced to raise a child after it is born.
It is also informed by sociological studies which indicate that disrespected children grow up to become damaged adults at a much higher frequency than the baseline. This ultimately reduces into the stance that abortion is less socially costly than either forcing a parent to raise a child or putting the child in an orphanage.
Given that stance, however, makes me a proponent of a man's ability to refrain from being forced to raise a child after it is born.
Gay Marriage
I believe that the government should allow any number of consenting adults to make voluntary contracts. The institution of marriage should not get any special treatment from the government. Unfortunately, we currently live in a world where there are a number of benefits conferred on married couples which are not conferred on others. Until and unless government involvement in marriage ends, the next best step is to ensure that all citizens can receive the same benefit regardless of which gender they're attracted to.
I will continue to support state recognition of same sex marriages.
I will continue to support state recognition of same sex marriages.
Speed Limits
While travel is a right, driving motor vehicles on the roads is a privilege. Still, motor traffic laws now have less to do with safety and more to do with raising revenue - especially on corridors traveled by out-of-staters. I am completely against hidden taxes and laws which are enforced with ulterior motives. While speed is a factor in accidents, below a fairly ridiculous threshold, the data indicate that speed is only a factor in how serious accidents are, not how likely they are. The primary contributors to accidents are distracted driving and speed differentials.
Artificially low speed limits not only waste public resources on patrols, but actually make driving less safe.
I will push for an adherence to the portion of the federal MUTCD standard which deals with setting speed limits to the 85th percentile of what people actually drive in normal, clear conditions.
Whenever the state or towns point out the need for more police, I can easily point to the many already on the road writing tickets. There's either enough "real" crime in this state to warrant the amount of officers, or there is not. Public goods should not devolve into a works program. To reduce perverse incentives, I will push for laws removing the monetary consequence of speeding tickets and minor traffic violations with the only consequence being points on one's license.
Artificially low speed limits not only waste public resources on patrols, but actually make driving less safe.
I will push for an adherence to the portion of the federal MUTCD standard which deals with setting speed limits to the 85th percentile of what people actually drive in normal, clear conditions.
Whenever the state or towns point out the need for more police, I can easily point to the many already on the road writing tickets. There's either enough "real" crime in this state to warrant the amount of officers, or there is not. Public goods should not devolve into a works program. To reduce perverse incentives, I will push for laws removing the monetary consequence of speeding tickets and minor traffic violations with the only consequence being points on one's license.
Gun Rights
I am a strong supporter of gun rights, and they're not only for hunting or home protection - The New Hampshire Constitution has a right of revolution for a reason and an armed populace is a way to give that part of The Constitution teeth. While I would love to live in a world where people could settle their differences with reasoned argument, sometimes it's necessary to employ violence or the threat of violence to get respect for rights. I support this even while recognizing that there are more effective ways to reduce violence prior to a need for weapons.
I will work to ensure that the fullest expression of the second amendment possible is maintained in this state including removing the laws which make it harder to conceal carry than open carry and finding ways to perform background checks which provably do not result in a statewide or nationwide registry of gun owners. I reject any further encroachments on what ammunition, caliber, and weapon features citizens are allowed access to.
My standard will be simple: the military shall not police in New Hampshire and the police shall not be militarized in New Hampshire. Whatever a non-military enforcer can have or legally do, so can a civilian.
I will work to ensure that the fullest expression of the second amendment possible is maintained in this state including removing the laws which make it harder to conceal carry than open carry and finding ways to perform background checks which provably do not result in a statewide or nationwide registry of gun owners. I reject any further encroachments on what ammunition, caliber, and weapon features citizens are allowed access to.
My standard will be simple: the military shall not police in New Hampshire and the police shall not be militarized in New Hampshire. Whatever a non-military enforcer can have or legally do, so can a civilian.
New Hampshire Public Bank
I will purse an investigation into copying parts of North Dakota's public bank model. If it can be shown that a publicly-run, 100% reserve state bank is beneficial to the residents of New Hampshire, I will promote such a policy. My other requirements is that its use remains voluntary and that its creation and operation are tax neutral.
Transparency and Sanity in Politics
New Hampshire already has one of the most transparent legislatures in the world. I will do my part by posting my thoughts, proposals, and soliciting comments publicly on various sites and venues before voting. I will explain my thought process and which values I am answering in every political decision I make. I will never agree to participate in any meetings or votes where the topics are hidden and minutes are off-the-record.
I will fight any laws or processes which attempt to hide parts of the legislative process from the people of New Hampshire.
I will call for a repeal of the anti-wiretapping law which is used not to protect people, but to prevent recording or public officials.
I will fight any laws or processes which attempt to hide parts of the legislative process from the people of New Hampshire.
I will call for a repeal of the anti-wiretapping law which is used not to protect people, but to prevent recording or public officials.
Ballot Access
The first-past-the-post two party system has failed. Americans used to point out the insanity of one-party rule in communist countries, but turned a blind eye to the fact that the major American political parties have far more power than is safe in a free republic. Two parties is only one better than the system Americans made fun of!
I will push to reduce the difficulty for third parties and independents to get on the ballot and into debates. I will push for an investigation into other voting systems which eliminate the spoiler effect of third parties and provide citizens with truer representation in their votes.
I will push to reduce the difficulty for third parties and independents to get on the ballot and into debates. I will push for an investigation into other voting systems which eliminate the spoiler effect of third parties and provide citizens with truer representation in their votes.
Resident Dividend
I will pursue research into a statewide "citizens dividend" which can act as a negative income tax: a non-means tested return to individuals of any collected taxes from land and natural resources. This proposal may sound socialist, but I believe it to be just due to the costs born by individuals due to being excluded by others from the use of land - traceable either to luck of birth order or conquest of indigenous tribes, or grants from the King of England. The elimination of means testing removes social manipulation and gaming the system. The funding from lost opportunity removes the actual (though possibly not psychological) dependence on the government.
To be eligible for a dividend, a person should have to have been a resident of the state for at least a few years, have had a job for two years in the state (retired and soon-to-be-retired excepted), be the age of majority or older, and continue to reside in the state for a majority of the year. Depending on the amount of the dividend, it may be initially restricted to the elderly. A goal is to eliminate as much of the state welfare apparatus as possible while still retaining the benefits.
An advantage of giving the dividend to all, though, is that it may help retain young people which, in turn, may attract businesses to New Hampshire. As people and businesses are drawn to New Hampshire the dividend's tax base, taxes on real estate, is increased - creating a system which grows or shrinks as needed.
To be eligible for a dividend, a person should have to have been a resident of the state for at least a few years, have had a job for two years in the state (retired and soon-to-be-retired excepted), be the age of majority or older, and continue to reside in the state for a majority of the year. Depending on the amount of the dividend, it may be initially restricted to the elderly. A goal is to eliminate as much of the state welfare apparatus as possible while still retaining the benefits.
An advantage of giving the dividend to all, though, is that it may help retain young people which, in turn, may attract businesses to New Hampshire. As people and businesses are drawn to New Hampshire the dividend's tax base, taxes on real estate, is increased - creating a system which grows or shrinks as needed.
