Manchester NH, Hillsborough County - District 17, Wards 10, 11, 12

Keith R. Murphy



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Issues

General Philosophy

Thomas Jefferson, in his inaugural address, did a better job of expressing my philosophy of government than I ever could: "A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government." Another way to say it is that people should be left alone, as long as they aren't harming anyone else. If I'm elected, my votes will express a desire for our government to stay off of your property, out of your wallet, and out of your personal affairs. The answers to the problems we face as a society and as a state are not to be found in the marble halls of Concord or under the dome of the Capitol Rotunda. Those answers are to be found over our kitchen tables and in our own hearts and minds.

Taxes and Finance

I promise to never, ever vote for any sort of tax increase. Further, I will work to lower the interests and dividends tax, which is clearly an income tax on our retired citizens and their savings. Citizens work very hard for their paychecks, and they need their money to pay for their homes, to feed their families, and to pay for their medical care. If our state government operates more efficiently and focuses on its key mission -- protecting people from each other -- instead of trying to be all things to all people, it has more than enough revenue. I have signed:

  • The CNHT Pledge not to vote for an income or sales tax
  • The NHAC Pledge not to vote for a budget that increases faster than inflation
  • The MRC Pledge to work to solve the current budget crisis without raising taxes or fees

Education

I fundamentally believe that schools should be run by local parents and teachers, not by bureaucrats in Concord or Washington DC. I will fight to bring decision-making back to the local level where it belongs. Further, I will work to end the stalemate at the state level over education funding by acknowledging that this is not a matter for the New Hampshire Supreme Court to decide. That decision rests with the elected representatives of the people, not with appointed jurists answerable to no one.

Public Safety

The key function of government is to protect people from each other. Those accused of violating the rights of their fellow citizens are entitled to a speedy, fair trial. If they are convicted, they should face swift justice to ensure that they cannot pose a threat to the lives and property of the people again. I will vote in favor of strengthened minimum sentence requirements for all violent criminals. We must not allow ourselves to live in fear of our lives or property any longer.

Regulations of Individuals and Businesses

I will steadfastly oppose further regulating how we live our lives and run our businesses. If no one is harmed by someone's behavior, then the person in question should be left alone to live his life as he sees fit. The role of the state is to protect us from each other, not from ourselves. My votes will consistently respect the free will of the people, and I will never substitute the wisdom of individuals with my own.

Environment

We are lucky to live in such an incredible state, and we have an obligation to protect the environment of our state so future generations have the same opportunities. Each of us must do our part as individuals to ensure that we do not harm the larger environment around us. I support making it easier for citizens and community groups to turn to the court system in cases of environmental harm, as well as ensuring that judgments against polluters are sufficiently large to rectify the harm done and deter future violations.

Parental Rights

Two years ago radical Democrats in the state legislature repealed a law that required doctors to inform a minor's parents before performing an abortion. Last year Republicans introduced legislation that would have restored that parental notification requirement except when the minor's health is in danger, and the Democrats voted it down. This flies in the face of all respect for the right of parents to raise their children as they see fit, as well as any semblance of common sense. It is ridiculous that a fourteen-year-old girl needs her parent's permission to get an aspirin from the school nurse, but can have a serious medical procedure such as an abortion without her parent ever being notified.

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Content of this website is © Copyright 2008 Keith R. Murphy for NH State Representative
Fiscal Agent Keith R. Murphy, 1826 Front Street, Unit 3A, Manchester 03102
This page was last modified on: July 31, 2008.