Busy, Busy, Busy... You have NO idea of the amount of change that takes place when you actually are elected! Blizzards of paperwork, action items, places to go, people to meet... An exciting, interesting, intellectually stimulating learning experience. And all around you, the sounds of silence. Everybody else has already moved on with their lives.

And, the questions I have! What do I do now? How can I effectively manage to actually accomplish things? How do I work this into my schedule? How do I keep the people informed? What resources are available to help me? Being a State Representative in NH isn't something you do for the money. You get a small stipend ($100/year?), mileage reimbursement and free passage thru the toll booths. I ran on a platform of neither asking for nor accepting donations. I was true to that pledge. Now that I'm elected, I want to keep the people informed. How do I keep this blog available? It costs me money for a button on the local media website. Is this still considered political advertising? Should I bother? Does anyone actually read this?

Want to know the biggest concern I had before I was elected? Would I have to wear a "uniform"? I haven't worn a suit since I got married almost 50 years ago. I quit wearing ties in 1974 when the oil embargo hit and the company let us stop wearing ties because the air conditioning was being turned up. They never rescinded the edict and I never put one on again. Now, however, it's clear to me that there is a "uniform"... At least there is if you want to be an effective legisalator. So, if you happen to see me in a suit and tie, you'll know why. The things that I do for you...

Comments to this blog are welcomed, but I believe that you have to first establish a username before you can post them. Then, because I use the blog's preview option, I get an email that the comment was written and I either approve the posting of the comment or delete it. Not censorship, just not interested in having people reading obscene material. And yes, I understand that obscenity is in the eye of the beholder. That would be me, in this case. So, post away if you choose to. It may just take a little while for me to get it out there.

CNN is predicting that Carol Shea-Porter will be the winner in the NH First Congressional District race, beating incumbent Republican Jeb Bradley. You may (or may not) hear about this as a significant historic event. From my (very personal) perspective, it is. I'm in that district. I've watched Carol grow and mature as a candidate for national office over the last six months, becoming convinced that not only was she a good choice, but that she had a chance to win. She was worth helping. Apparently a lot of other people also felt the same way. She managed to win the primary election with little money and little "establishment" support or encouragement. Carol worked hard. Her supporters won it for her with their hard work and gusto. She was given little chance by the pundits to win the general election, running against a well financed incumbent. Again, compared to those campaigns considered "winnable" by the establishment, she received little monetary support or encouragement. They, all of them, underestimated the power of her supporters. Carol worked harder. So did her supporters, more and more of them. Again, they won it for her. Big Time!

So, what's historic about that? Simple... Those of us that live in this district now have a Congresswoman that can go to Washington owing nobody, except us. Not "Big Money". Not the Party Apparatus. Us... The "other 99%". Only time will tell what she can, or will, make of this opportunity, but, for now, enjoy. God Speed, Carol. We'll be watching (and watching out for) you. Keep in touch...

It's just past 9:30 PM on a chilly fall evening. I've just finished a full day of visiting with voters in the four towns that I'm campaigning in. I held signs in Deerfield on a frosty early morning, dropped off a sign in Northwood midmorning, spent the midday hours in Nottingham holding signs with some of Carol Shea Porter's ardent supporters and finished off the day holding signs and greeting friends in Candia. I would suggest that we all owe a debt of gratitude to the many, many dedicated volunteers who care enough about our country to get involved in the political process and make our elections possible. Party affiliation aside, there is a large pool of smart, talented, caring people out there who understand the importance of free and fair elections. They, like I do, want their vote to not only count, but to be counted, honestly, openly and fairly. It's essential that we, as a country, ensure that this happens.

The votes are in, they're being counted, the results will become available. The talking heads will now be ready to tell us what it all meant. Would that they really knew... Thanks to everybody that voted for me, special thanks to those that actively supported me. Whatever the results, with friends like you, I'm proud to be a part of this wonderful country we live in.