New Hampshire Liberty Alliance in Union Leader article

[Dave Ridley]

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?articleId=9ffeb477-5749-49e0-8b3c-52f58ad0a9b4&headline=Liberty+Dinner+attracts+candidates

The comments there are interesting and mostly liberty-friendly....add some of your own if you like.

By JIM FENNELL
Staff Sports Writer
17 hours, 50 minutes ago
BooCoo Auctions

MANCHESTER – John Stephen, front-running Republican candidate for governor, said he doesn't agree on every position of the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, but he was happy to attend the organization's seventh annual Liberty Dinner last night at The Chateau on Hanover Street.

Stephen said he doesn't agree with the NHLA's support of legalizing the use of medical marijuana, but shares the belief in limited government and fewer taxes.

"We don't see eye to eye on everything," Stephen said, "but here's what I like about these people: It's not about being Republican, it's about standing up. They've been able to pass bills. Their voices are being heard, and their voices need to be heard."

NHLA Chairman Mark Warden said the organization has grown about 10 percent every year to its current membership of 1,500 people. Warden said the principles of the NHLA -- less government, fewer taxes, a free market system and more individual freedom -- form a nonpartisan platform with aspects that appeal to Republicans, Democrats and independents.

"It says people are really upset with what government has done to them," Warden said. "Enough is enough. This is the Live Free or Die state. They should leave us alone."

About 150 people attended last night, and that was enough to rate as a must-attend event for several politicians. In addition to Stephen, Senate candidates Ovide Lamontagne and Jim Bender and congressional hopefuls Bob Giuda and Frank Guinta were there. All are Republicans.

The NHLA also released its annual Liberty Rating, a report card rating the voting history of state senators and representatives and the bills they passed. While the NHLA stresses its stance as being nonpartisan, the bulk of its support has landed on one side of the aisle.

Eight members of the House received high grades of A. All are Republicans. Four received low grades of D-. All are Democrats.

Marks for state senators were a bit more bunched, with all scores in the B and C ranges. Besti DeVries of Manchester earned a C, an upgrade from last year's mark of CT -- constitutional threat. Warden said CT grades are given to legislators who vote for bills that violate the state constitution.

Carol McGuire, state representative from Epsom who was among those getting an A, was named the NHLA Legislator of the Year for "her unwavering support of liberty." Warden said McGuire is one of 20 to 30 legislators who are members of the NHLA.

McGuire said her colleagues in the House are taking notice of the NHLA influence.

"They Liberty Alliance members are consistently effective in committee," McGuire said. "They do their homework."