Category: Elections

Trump and the GOP: The Truth Behind the Government Shutdown

On By TonyIn economy, ElectionsLeave a comment

The government shut down will affect all of us. In big ways and small. We all know that Trump will cave because that is what he does. We also must acknowledge that Trump and the GOP who effectively control all branches of government are 100% to blame.

BUT WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN? In short, we had to shut it down to keep a functioning government open.

While searching to explain it I came across this Substack from Robert Reich. Professor, writer and former Secretary of Labor.

I’ve been directly involved in government shutdowns, one when I was secretary of labor. It’s hard for me to describe the fear, frustration, and chaos that ensued. I recall spending the first day consoling employees — many in tears as they headed out the door.

In some ways, this shutdown is similar to others. Agencies and departments designed to protect consumers, workers, and investors are now officially closed, as are national parks and museums.
Most federal workers are not being paid — as many as 750,000 could be furloughed — including those who are required to remain on the job, like air-traffic controllers or members of the U.S. military.
So-called “mandatory” spending, including Social Security and Medicare payments, are continuing, although checks could be delayed. (Trump has made sure that construction of his new White House ballroom won’t be affected.)

There have been eight shutdowns since 1990. Trump has now presided over four.
But this shutdown — the one that began yesterday morning — is radically different.
For one thing, it’s the consequence of a decision made in July by Trump and Senate Republicans to pass Trump’s gigantic “big beautiful bill” (I prefer to call it “big ugly bill”) without any Democratic votes.
They could do that because of an arcane Senate procedure called “reconciliation,” which allowed the big ugly to get through the Senate with just 51 votes rather than the normal 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster.

The final tally was a squeaker. All Senate Democrats opposed the legislation. When three Senate Republicans joined them, Vice President JD Vance was called in to break a tie. Some Republicans bragged that they didn’t need a single Democrat.

The big ugly fundamentally altered the priorities of the United States government. It cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act — with the result that health insurance premiums for tens of millions of Americans will soar starting in January.

The big ugly also cut nutrition assistance and environmental protection, while bulking up immigration enforcement and cutting the taxes of wealthy Americans and big corporations.
Trump and Senate Republicans didn’t need a single Democrat then. But this time, Republicans couldn’t use the arcane reconciliation process to pass a bill to keep the governing going.
Now they needed Senate Democratic votes.

Yet keeping the government going meant keeping all the priorities included in the big ugly bill that all Senate Democrats opposed.

Which is why Senate Democrats refused to sign on unless most of the big ugly’s cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act were restored, so health insurance premiums won’t soar next year.

Even if Senate Democrats had gotten that concession, the Republican bill to keep the government going would retain all the tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations contained in the big ugly, along with all the cuts in nutrition assistance, and all the increased funding for immigration enforcement.

There’s a deeper irony here.

As a practical matter, the U.S. government has been “shut down” for over eight months, since Trump took office a second time.

Trump and the sycophants surrounding him — such as Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, and, before him, Elon Musk and his DOGE — have had no compunctions about shutting down parts of the government they don’t like — such as USAID.

They’ve also fired, laid off, furloughed, or extended buyouts to hundreds of thousands of federal employees doing work they don’t value, such as at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (The federal government is already expected to employ 300,000 fewer workers by December than it did last January.)

They’ve impounded appropriations from Congress for activities they oppose, ranging across the entire federal government.

Yesterday, on the first day of the shutdown, Vought announced that the administration was freezing some $26 billion in funds Congress had appropriated — including $18 billion for New York City infrastructure (home to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries) and $8 billion for environmental projects in 16 states, mostly led by Democrats.

All of this is illegal — it violates the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 — but it seems unlikely that courts will act soon enough to prevent the regime from harming vast numbers of Americans.
Vought is also initiating another round of mass layoffs targeting, in his words, “a lot” of government workers.

This is being described by Republicans as “payback” for the Democrats not voting to keep the government going, but evidently nothing stopped Vought from doing mass layoffs and freezing Congress’s appropriations before the shutdown.

In fact, the eagerness of Trump and his lapdogs over the last eight months to disregard the will of Congress and close whatever they want of the government offers another reason why Democrats shouldn’t cave in.

Were Democrats to vote to keep the government going, what guarantee do they have that Trump will in fact keep the government going?
Democrats finally have some bargaining leverage. They should use it.

If tens of millions of Americans lose their health insurance starting in January because they can no longer afford to pay sky-high premiums, Trump and his Republicans will be blamed. Months before the midterms.

It would be Trump’s and his Republicans’ fault anyway — it’s part of their big ugly bill — but this way, in the fight over whether to reopen the government, Americans will have a chance to see Democrats standing up for them.

The Recklessness of Leadership: A Call for Accountability

On By TonyIn economy, Elections, PoliticsLeave a comment

Sometimes I have to stop and ask myself: does anyone else see how insane this all is? Or are we just supposed to pretend that this is normal?

The President of the United States casually tosses out an unsubstantiated claim that there’s a link between Tylenol and autism. No research cited. No scientific consensus. Just words, and yet words from the President carry enormous weight. Families across the country are left in fear and confusion, while actual scientists scramble to clean up the mess. This is not leadership—it’s recklessness.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court—the very institution designed to uphold checks and balances—abandons its responsibility. By allowing Trump to fire officials who were appointed with congressional approval, they have effectively erased a critical guardrail of our democracy. What’s the point of having a system of checks and balances if one branch simply abdicates its role when it becomes politically inconvenient?

And while all this chaos unfolds, every single GOP senator voted against releasing the Epstein files. Let that sink in. We’re told over and over that transparency is a pillar of democracy, yet here is a bipartisan scandal begging for sunlight, and they slam the door shut. What exactly are they protecting? Whom are they protecting?

Then, as if that weren’t enough, Russia brazenly invades NATO airspace. An act that should send shivers down the spine of any world leader. But what do we do? Nothing. What do we say? Nothing. Silence where there should be strength. Passivity where there should be resolve.

Now add to this the alarming pattern of weaponizing the justice system for political ends. President Trump has publicly called on Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to prosecute his political opponents—an explicit invitation to turn law enforcement into a tool of retribution. When the head of the executive branch pressures prosecutors to pursue cases against rivals without transparent evidence or due process, it corrodes the rule of law. Prosecutors hold immense discretionary power; when that power is wielded for political vengeance, it chills dissent, undermines fair trials, and transforms accountability into persecution. This isn’t just partisan politics—it’s a direct threat to the impartial institutions that keep democracy functioning. We cannot normalize demands that the justice system be used as a political cudgel.

It’s all happening in real time, right in front of us. Dangerous lies. Broken checks and balances. Willful secrecy. Silence in the face of foreign aggression. The politicization of our legal institutions. And we just keep moving along, as though this is business as usual.

It is not normal. It should never be normal. And if we don’t recognize that now—if we don’t demand accountability—we risk losing not just credibility, but the very foundations of democracy itself.

So I ask again: does anyone else see how crazy this is?

Dover’s Future: A Commitment to Progress

On By TonyIn Elections1 Comment

Staying the Course for Dover’s Future

When I first answered the call to serve on Dover’s City Council, it wasn’t for fanfare, recognition, or awards. It was—and continues to be—about getting things done. About making Dover a community where families want to live, where businesses want to grow, and where people feel proud to call home.

I have been a proud resident of Dover since the 1980s and have owned and operated Atlantic Gymnastics with two locations for more than 30 years. My roots here run deep, and my commitment to our city has only grown stronger. Over the past term, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside my colleagues, city staff, and the residents of Ward 3 to accomplish a great deal. We’ve made Dover safer, kept our budget responsible—successfully passing a budget under the tax cap—and started important initiatives that are already shaping the future of our city.

But much of our work is still ahead of us.

Infrastructure and Housing

We’ve begun critical infrastructure projects to modernize Dover’s roads, utilities, and public spaces. These are not abstract plans—they are investments that will directly improve daily life for residents. We’ve also laid the groundwork for housing initiatives to address one of Dover’s greatest challenges: providing opportunities for families, seniors, and young professionals to find affordable and sustainable places to live.

Athletic Fields and Community Resources

We’ve put in motion plans to expand and improve athletic facilities, including the sports complex at Dover High School. These spaces are about more than recreation—they foster community, teamwork, and provide vital opportunities for our young people to grow and thrive.

Work Left to Do

While I am proud of what we’ve accomplished, the reality is that we are only partway through this journey. Many projects require steady leadership, experience, and a clear understanding of both our progress and what remains. It’s not the time to change course or start over.

Why I Am Running for Reelection

I am running for reelection in Ward 3 because Dover deserves follow-through. We cannot afford to have half-finished projects or lose momentum on issues that directly impact our quality of life. My pledge is to continue the work we’ve started—responsibly, transparently, and with Dover’s long-term success always at the forefront.

Public service, to me, is not about personal ambition or political stepping stones. It’s about doing the hard work necessary to ensure Dover remains one of the best places in New Hampshire to live, work, and raise a family.

With your support, I will continue to provide steady leadership, community-focused decision-making, and the persistence needed to see these projects through. Ward 3 deserves consistency. Dover deserves progress. And together, we will get the job done.

Thank you for your trust and support.

— Tony Retrosi

Real Strength Is Community, Not Cruelty

On By TonyIn Belief, economy, Elections, HopeLeave a comment

The current state of the MAGA party is not about prosperity, or security, or even policy. It is about cruelty.

If you can be shown images of suffering—children in Gaza denied medical care, migrants detained by masked men, families deported without explanation—you are supposed to forget how far your own quality of life has slipped.

The State Department has halted “medical-humanitarian” visas for people from Gaza. If you see others denied life-saving care, you don’t focus on the millions of Americans who can’t afford health insurance. You forget about our broken healthcare system.

When masked men scoop people off the streets and deport them to who knows where, you don’t focus on the fact that millions of Americans are priced out of safe, affordable housing. You forget that in one of the richest countries on earth, we have children who go to bed hungry.

Donald Trump deploys the National Guard into American cities. Not because crime is surging—it isn’t. Crime rates are at historic lows. The point is to create fear. To remind you what could happen to you if you step out of line.

This isn’t about law and order. It’s not about national security. It’s about cruelty.

And cruelty is a distraction. If you’re focused on the pain of others, you’re not asking the real questions:

  • Why are wages stagnant while corporate profits soar?
  • Why does healthcare bankrupt American families?
  • Why do we have more empty homes than unhoused people?

The sign of a functioning government is a social safety net. A society where people do not live in fear. Where illness does not mean bankruptcy, where housing is a right, not a luxury, where safety is measured not by soldiers on a corner but by stability in people’s lives.

Cruelty is not strength. Cruelty is weakness disguised as power.

Here in Dover, on the Seacoast, we know what community looks like. We see it every day—in neighbors helping neighbors, in volunteers who staff our food pantries, in people who step up when someone stumbles. That is real strength.

The politics of cruelty only works if we accept it. We don’t have to. We can build a Dover, a Seacoast, and a New Hampshire that shows what compassion, fairness, and responsibility look like. That is our task, and it’s one worth doing.

The Real Cost of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill in New Hampshire

On By TonyIn economy, ElectionsLeave a comment

As Donald Trump and the MAGA-controlled GOP roll out their so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” New Hampshire stands to lose more than it gains—much more. Behind the flashy slogans and hollow promises lies a policy agenda that will leave thousands of Granite Staters uninsured, hungry, and worse off, while the ultra-wealthy reap billions in tax breaks. This isn’t just bad policy—it’s a direct threat to the well-being of our state.

A Party Lost to MAGA

Once a party that prided itself on fiscal conservatism and integrity, today’s Republican Party is a hollowed-out shell, wholly captured by the MAGA wing. Traditional Republicans who once warned against deficits, reckless spending, or abandoning working families now sit quietly by, parroting whatever talking points come down from Trump’s team.

  • They claim this bill won’t increase the deficit. It will.
  • They say it won’t kick people off Medicare and Medicaid. It does.
  • They swear the tax cuts for the rich will “pay for themselves.” They never have.

Zombie Economics, Alive and Well

This isn’t a new con. It’s a repackaging of trickle-down economics—the idea that if we cut taxes at the top, prosperity will “trickle down” to everyone else.

But it’s never worked. Not in the 1920s. Not in the 1980s. Not under George W. Bush. Not under Trump.

“The idea that cutting taxes on the wealthy will lead to faster economic growth is a zombie idea — it just keeps shambling along, no matter how many times it has been killed by evidence.”
— Paul Krugman, Nobel Laureate Economist, from Arguing with Zombies

These policies have led to record inequality, ballooning deficits, and fragile economies. The MAGA GOP doesn’t care. They’ve revived a dead idea and dressed it up as a miracle cure.

Trickle-down economics isn’t an economic strategy—it’s a proven failure. Over and over, we’ve been told that giving more money to the wealthy and big corporations will eventually benefit everyone. Yet the data shows otherwise.

“There is no empirical evidence that tax cuts for the rich lead to economic growth. What they do lead to is more inequality,” says Gabriel Zucman, economist at the University of California, Berkeley.

The concept didn’t work in the 1980s, when Reagan’s massive tax cuts exploded the deficit and widened the wealth gap. It didn’t work under George W. Bush, whose tax cuts were a major driver of the Great Recession. And it certainly didn’t work under Trump in 2017, when his corporate tax cuts boosted stock buybacks—not wages.

In fact, the roots of trickle-down theory trace back to the 1920s, helping lead us into the Great Depression of the 1930s. And yet, MAGA Republicans are serving it up again, now with more venom, less oversight, and even fewer facts.

The Human Cost in New Hampshire

Let’s get specific about what this bill will do to real people in New Hampshire:

🏥 Medicaid Cuts

  • 20,000 Granite Staters are projected to lose Medicaid coverage.
  • These cuts disproportionately affect rural areas and low-income working families who gained access through Medicaid expansion.
  • Hospitals—especially community and rural clinics—will absorb more uncompensated care, threatening their ability to stay open.

🍎 School Meals & SNAP Cuts

  • SNAP cuts require NH to spend $38 million in state funds just to maintain current benefits.
  • Nearly 76,000 people, including over 26,000 children, rely on SNAP in New Hampshire.
  • Federal changes will reduce direct certification for free and reduced school lunches, potentially affecting thousands of students.
  • Nationally, 7.5 million children could lose access to free meals, and 16 million more could lose eligibility for school meal programs.

📚 Public School Funding

  • Cuts to Medicaid and nutrition programs will gut school support services, including mental health counselors, school nurses, and speech therapists.
  • Medicaid is one of the largest sources of federal support for school-based services in NH.
Image displaying a chart showing the number of people likely to lose health care in each state, with New Hampshire highlighted at 46,388 individuals affected.

They Don’t Care About the Truth

The scariest part of all this? MAGA Republicans know these claims are false—and they don’t care. This isn’t a debate over numbers or projections; it’s a coordinated effort to mislead the public for political gain.

Their “truth” is whatever Trump says. If he says the bill will balance the budget, they repeat it. If he claims it won’t hurt seniors, they nod. This isn’t governance—it’s obedience. And it’s costing us dearly.

Hold Them Accountable

We are at the beginning of a critical local election year, with statewide elections just around the corner in 2026. Candidates are already positioning themselves. Every Republican on the ballot needs to be asked, loudly and publicly:

“Do you support Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill?”

And if they refuse to answer—or worse, fall in line—they need to be held accountable.

Silence is complicity.

This isn’t just about politics—it’s about survival for thousands of New Hampshire families. It’s about children getting fed, seniors accessing medication, and workers keeping their health care. If our leaders won’t defend us, we need to replace them with ones who will.

Bottom Line: Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is a lie wrapped in propaganda. It will balloon the deficit, shred our safety net, and serve only the wealthiest Americans—at the expense of everyday people in New Hampshire.

The Economic Impact of Leadership Decisions. Demanding Better Leadership in America

On By TonyIn Belief, economy, Elections, PoliticsLeave a comment

Leadership is, at its core, a moral endeavor. A good leader doesn’t just pass laws or cut deals—they set a tone, a standard. They challenge us to rise to the moment, to be better citizens, neighbors, and people. The best leaders inspire confidence, compassion, and cooperation. They elevate the national character.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, brings out the worst in America.

His political brand is not built on unity or progress, but on grievance and division. Instead of drawing upon America’s strength, generosity, and resilience, Trump taps into resentment, paranoia, and selfishness. His rhetoric isn’t about what we can build together—it’s about who to blame.

Economic Gaslighting

Despite inheriting one of the strongest post-COVID economic recoveries in the world, Trump continues to insist the U.S. economy is a burning wreck in need of saving. It’s not just dishonest; it’s deeply cynical. And his proposed “solution”? The same failed, chaotic economic nationalism that marked his first term.

Trump’s obsession with trade imbalances reveals either a profound ignorance of basic economics—or something worse. According to him, any country that sells more to us than it buys is “taking advantage.” That logic, applied globally, would demand that every country run a trade surplus simultaneously—an economic impossibility. It’s nonsense. But it’s dangerous nonsense, dressed up in patriotic bluster.

His proposed tariffs—broad, punitive, and economically suicidal—aren’t just bad policy; they’re theatrical madness. So much so that it becomes tempting to hope it’s all a con. Maybe the rumors are true: maybe these tariffs were a hustle, designed to enrich allies and donors through insider schemes. That would be criminal, yes—but at least it would be rational. Because the alternative—that Trump truly believes this—is far more terrifying.

Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a moment of accidental honesty, defended Trump’s shady cryptocurrency promotion by essentially saying, “At least he does his corruption in the open.” That isn’t a defense—it’s an indictment. When open corruption becomes a selling point, we’ve crossed a dangerous line. We’re no longer arguing over policy; we’re debating whether accountability still matters at all.

And that’s the deeper damage Trump has done—not just to institutions, but to our expectations. He’s lowered the bar so far that basic decency, transparency, and truthfulness feel like exceptional qualities instead of minimum requirements. His administration didn’t just tolerate racism, sexism, and religious bigotry—it amplified them. What once disqualified someone from public service now earns a standing ovation at political rallies.

This has real consequences.

The Cost of Chaos

Everyday Americans are paying the price for this dysfunction. Trump’s tariff wars and isolationist rhetoric have driven up the cost of goods. Inflation, while a global issue, has been worsened by policies that disrupt supply chains and alienate our trading partners. Meanwhile, allies abroad are increasingly distancing themselves from the U.S.—not out of opposition to our values, but because they no longer trust our leadership to uphold them.

We are watching the slow erosion of America’s global standing, and it won’t be easy to rebuild. Trust lost is not easily regained. Partnerships neglected don’t quickly recover. When the world begins to see America as erratic and self-absorbed, the long-term effects are economic, diplomatic, and moral.

We Deserve Better

America can’t afford more elected officials like Donald Trump. It would mean more decline disguised as greatness, more failure rebranded as strength, and more selfishness masquerading as patriotism. We need leaders who actually believe in America—and in Americans. Leaders who build instead of blame. Leaders who lift us up instead of dragging us down.

We’ve seen what Trump brings out in people. We know the cost. It’s time we demand better from our leaders—and from ourselves. New Hampshire deserves better. Dover deserves better. America deserves better.

And the good news? A better future is possible. Across this country, new leaders are stepping up—people grounded in principle, driven by service, and committed to healing, not dividing. The path forward won’t be easy, but it is ours to choose. Hope isn’t naive. It’s necessary. And it starts with choosing leadership that brings out the best in us all.

GOP Accountability: Why Economic Health Depends on It

On By TonyIn economy, Elections, PoliticsLeave a comment

Let’s not mince words: the Republican Party — at every level of government — needs to be held accountable for the economic mess we’re in. They’ve sold out working people. They’ve sold out seniors. They’ve sold out the country. And they’ve done it all in broad daylight.

Look around. Inflation remains painfully high. The dollar is weak. Our economy is teetering, and our reputation on the world stage has taken a beating. And what’s the GOP’s response? More of the same greed-driven policies that got us here in the first place.

This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Donald Trump didn’t just bungle leadership — he installed some of the most unqualified, corrupt, and outright dangerous people into positions of power. And the GOP-controlled Senate? They confirmed every single one of them. They clapped along. They cheered. They rubber-stamped the destruction.

Now, Trump and his enablers are preaching “belt-tightening” to the rest of us. They say we need to prepare for economic “hardship.” But who is really feeling the pain? Not the billionaire class. Not Trump’s inner circle. They’re getting richer, hoarding wealth while everyday Americans are forced to make impossible choices — between rent and medicine, between groceries and gas.

And what’s the GOP’s solution? More tax cuts for the rich. More deregulation. More gutting of programs that help actual people survive. You think Medicare and Medicaid are safe? Think again. They’ve made it clear: these programs are next on the chopping block. Social Security? They don’t want to strengthen it — they want to privatize it. Turn your hard-earned retirement into Wall Street’s latest jackpot.

Let’s be clear: this is not mismanagement. This is intentional. This is class warfare. This is a party that has embraced cruelty, corruption, and corporate greed as governing principles. They talk about patriotism, but their policies betray the very people they claim to serve.

The GOP owns this. Every bit of it. And we have to call it out. Loudly. Relentlessly. Because if we don’t, they’ll keep pretending this is someone else’s fault. They’ll keep distracting. They’ll keep blaming immigrants, or “wokeness,” or whatever culture war nonsense they’re peddling this week.

But here’s the thing: this country can’t afford silence anymore. Especially not from those who still call themselves Republicans and believe in something better.

“Restoring responsibility and accountability is essential to the economic and fiscal health of our nation.”
— Carl Levin

To every patriotic Republican out there — this is your moment. You know this isn’t the party you once believed in. You know this isn’t conservatism — it’s chaos in service of the wealthy and well-connected. If you still believe in integrity, in democracy, in putting country before party, then you need to speak up. Loudly. Publicly. Bravely.

Call out the lies. Reject the corruption. Demand better. Because your voice matters. And if enough of you stand up, you can help stop this runaway train before it crashes into the very foundations of our democracy.

Winner-Take-All Politics by Jacob S. Hacker and Paul Pierson, which argues that:

“Those at the very top of the economic ladder have developed and used political muscle to dramatically cut their taxes, deregulate the financial industry, and keep corporate governance lax and labor unions hamstrung.”

The time for quiet discomfort has passed. Now is the time for action.

Democratic Strategies: Education, Healthcare, and Economy Focus

On By TonyIn Belief, economy, Education, Elections, PoliticsLeave a comment

I’ve just spent a few weeks in Italy for work, and conversations with European friends and colleagues left me both humbled and a little haunted. The most common, almost automatic question they asked was: “How could America do this again?” (Meaning, elect Trump.)

Having to answer that—over and over—really made me reflect. Why could this happen again? And what’s our part in preventing it?

I had time to think (and research, thanks to fast and free WiFi on high-speed trains—Italy gets that part right!). What hit me hardest was this: We, as Democrats, are trying to be everything to everyone, and in doing so, we risk becoming nothing to anyone. From education and healthcare to the environment and housing, we fight for it all—but from the outside, we look scattered, unfocused, and reactive.

In places like Dover, we might feel “safe,” but that complacency is dangerous. “Vote for us—we’re not them” only worked once. It’s not a winning message anymore.

I run my businesses. If I don’t focus, I fail. In politics, it’s no different.

To win the statehouse, the NH House and Senate, as well as local races, we need simple, bold, results-driven messages that answer two clear questions:

  1. Why does the current leadership need to go?
  2. Why is our candidate the better hire?

Here are three core issues that cut through the noise: EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, and the ECONOMY.

🎓 EDUCATION

The NH GOP has systematically weakened our schools. Underfunded, inefficient, and inequitable. Public dollars are helping millionaires send their kids to private schools while our classrooms lack supplies and teachers live on the edge.

Our Message:
We’ll target education funds to families and schools that need it most. No gimmicks—just real investment in our public schools.

🏥 HEALTHCARE

In rural NH, access to maternal care is evaporating. Policies that limit access and increase cost hurt real families. Governor Ayotte has kept those in place.

Our Message:
We’ll work with local hospitals and clinics to restore essential healthcare access across the state. Starting a family should not require a two-hour drive to the nearest birthing center.

💼 THE ECONOMY

While the GOP fearmongers about “illegals” on the northern border, let’s talk about our real borders—with Massachusetts and the seacoast. We have opportunity right in front of us.

Our Message:
Let’s make NH a destination for business and talent. Invest in infrastructure—rail, roads, ports—to connect us better to the region. Build partnerships like the Dover Riverfront Project that boost jobs, tourism, and sustainability. Protect the industries that matter—like fishing and clean water.

The great thing about infrastructure is that it is literally a 2 way street. Better roads allow us to get NH made products to market and people to work but also ease the difficulties getting products and people into NH   

We ALL pay taxes. Let’s show people what they actually get for it.

We must stop being afraid to stand for something. Stop whispering in corners and start speaking up—in public, in the press, and yes, at protests. Before every time we are holding signs on a downtown corner or when we are at a gathering before we head out to pick up garbage at a Don’t Trash Dover event- someone needs to speak. It shouldn’t be a huge speech. Just a statement with a quotable sound bite  

Where are our voices? Where’s our boldness?

Trump fills arenas. Bernie and AOC speak to packed halls. Why? Because they speak to real kitchen-table issues. Populists and reformers win. The “status quo” candidates don’t. Look at history: Carter, Bush Sr., Biden/ Harris. We need passion. We need presence.

We should be flooding YouTube and social media with clear, 15-second spots on our core issues. That’s how you get a message out in 2025. We don’t have time to wait for someone else to do it.

Let’s be the party that offers people something to believe in—not just something to fear.

Yes, I’m just a guy with time to think on a train in Italy. But I’m also a citizen who because of my work knows what leadership, focus, and action looks like.

We need to tie every member of the NH GOP with Trump and MAGA policies.  These policies that are hugely unpopular.  Cynically, there is no downside.  They want to prove they are NOT a MAGA loyalist and come up with some policies that actually help NH citizens- great! That is good for all of us.  I just don’t think they have the backbone to do it   

Let’s show NH—and the country—what it looks like when we actually deliver.

The GOP Owns Trump’s Failure. It’s Time for Democrats to Lead.

On By TonyIn Elections, PoliticsLeave a comment

Trump’s Grip is Slipping — It’s Time for Democrats to Step Up

Let’s be real: Donald Trump is a weak, lame-duck president with no shot at a third term—no matter how loud the MAGA crowd shouts about it. His approval ratings are in the basement, and the public is catching on to just how unfit he is to lead anything, let alone the most powerful country in the world. The truth is, Trump’s time is nearly over. What’s dangerous is that his influence still echoes through a Republican Party that refuses to cut him loose.

This is a man who ran his businesses into the ground six times—six bankruptcies, and yet we’re supposed to believe he knows how to manage an economy? Please. He’s never built anything lasting that wasn’t built on debt, grift, or deception. And now the same chaos and failure define his political legacy.

That’s especially true in places like New Hampshire, where the state GOP is increasingly dominated by Free Staters and far-right ideologues. And even the so-called moderates in the NH GOP? They vote in lockstep with the extremists. It’s time the New Hampshire Democratic Party starts acting like the opposition party and not just a passive bystander.

We cannot afford complacency. Not now.

The Democratic Party needs to get serious about what’s next—both nationally and here in the Granite State. We need new leadership, bold vision, and a plan that meets the moment. When President Biden saw his approval numbers dip, he took it seriously. He made the hard decision not to run again. That kind of humility and reality check is what responsible leadership looks like.

Meanwhile, Trump is flailing, dragging his party down with him, and pretending it’s all part of some master plan. His appointees? Unqualified. His policies? Disastrous. His vision? Nonexistent.

Take Pete Hegseth, for example. His appointment as Secretary of Defense has been an unmitigated disaster. This is a guy who has no serious policy background, no understanding of global strategy, and whose qualifications begin and end with being a Fox News talking head. The result? A demoralized military, chaotic leadership, and a Department of Defense that feels more like a propaganda arm than a strategic institution. Everyone who voted to confirm him should be held accountable—they enabled this mess.

The GOP must be held accountable for embracing Trump. They backed his judges, his executive orders, and his conspiracy-laden politics. They own it—and we need to make sure voters don’t forget that.

But outrage isn’t enough. We need strategy. We need candidates who can inspire, organize, and win—not just in blue cities, but across the swing districts where this battle will be decided. If Democrats don’t start planting flags and offering a clear alternative, we risk letting Trumpism linger long after Trump is gone.

It’s time to move forward—with new leadership, a clear message, and the courage to take the fight to the GOP.

Because without a plan, we’re not just losing an election. We’re losing the country.

And here’s the path forward in New Hampshire: Democrats must focus on kitchen table issues that impact people’s daily lives—lowering property taxes, protecting public education, defending reproductive rights, expanding access to affordable healthcare, and standing up for workers and small businesses. Voters want real solutions, not endless culture wars. If we show up with a clear agenda that actually improves lives, we can beat back the extremists, flip critical seats, and start rebuilding a New Hampshire that works for everyone, not just the Free Staters and Trump loyalists. The time is now.

Embracing Diversity: Democrats’ Path to Victory in New Hampshire

On By TonyIn Elections, PoliticsLeave a comment

The Path Forward for Democrats: Embracing Our Big Tent

A friend recently posted something that struck a chord with me. 

I’m so exhausted by the anti Trump hysteria of my friends. Kamala lost badly to a tremendously flawed candidate. Your party lost the elections by lying about Biden, putting out a weak candidate, and a platform that 50% plus of America don’t agree with. Put on your big boy pants, start working on a viable platform, find a viable candidate, and quit whining.

 It expressed his frustration with the anti-Trump hysteria among some Democrats and criticized the party for failing to put forward a winning strategy in the last election. While I don’t necessarily agree with everything in the post, I do think it raises an important point: we cannot afford to be the party of reactionary opposition. Instead, we must focus on building a strong, coherent platform and uniting under leaders who can effectively communicate our vision for the future. Not just at the National level but at the State and local level as well. 

Beyond Just Saying ‘No’

One of my biggest frustrations with today’s GOP is their reflexive obstructionism—saying “no” to everything simply because it comes from the other side. That’s not governance; that’s just political posturing. As Democrats, we need to be better than that. We should oppose policies, legislation, and judicial nominees that conflict with our values—not simply because they originate from Republicans.

Similarly, we need to ensure that our opposition to Trumpism isn’t just performative outrage. If we want to be effective, we must offer tangible solutions that speak to the needs of everyday Americans. Complaining about GOP hypocrisy will not win elections—offering a better alternative will.

Our Strength Is in Our Diversity

The Democratic Party is a big tent, and that is one of our greatest strengths. We represent a broad spectrum of ideologies, from progressives like Bernie Sanders and AOC to moderates like Abigail Spanberger and (for a while) the likes of Joe Manchin. While this diversity can sometimes make it difficult to rally around a single message, it also means that we have the ability to reach different demographics and communities.

Rather than expecting one leader to unite the entire party, we should embrace the strengths of multiple voices. Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez energize young voters and the progressive base. Ro Khanna connects with the tech and innovation sectors. Jamie Raskin is a strong advocate for constitutional democracy. We need to elevate all of these voices while also ensuring we have candidates who can speak to the broader electorate, including independents and moderates.

Trump Won Because He Promised to Get Things Done

Whether we like it or not, Trump resonated with voters because he promised to tackle real issues. Even though many of his promises—like ending the war in Ukraine or significantly lowering prices—were unrealistic, people were drawn to the idea of a leader who would take action. That is something Democrats need to learn from. We can’t just run on being against Trump or the GOP; we need to clearly define what we stand for and what we will accomplish.

The Future of Democrats in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has long been a political battleground, and we must be strategic in how we move forward. So, what can we do?

Find Leaders Who Can Speak to Our Big Tent – We need candidates who can appeal to different factions within the party while also reaching independent voters. This means supporting leaders who can bridge the gap between progressives and moderates.

Develop a Clear and Unifying Message – Rather than being defined by opposition to Trump or the GOP, we need a compelling vision for America’s future. Economic opportunity, healthcare, climate action, and democracy protection should be at the core of our platform.

Engage in Grassroots Organizing – Winning in New Hampshire (and nationally) isn’t just about big-name endorsements. It’s about knocking on doors, talking to voters, and mobilizing at the local level.

Encourage New Voices – The next generation of Democratic leaders is out there. We need to support and uplift young candidates who can connect with voters in ways traditional politicians may not.

Focus on Real-World Issues – If we don’t have a clear list of things we will accomplish, what is the point? Democrats at the state and city level need to lay out specific, tangible goals—affordable housing, public transportation improvements, lower healthcare costs, or better education funding. Voters need to see that we are working toward real solutions, not just playing politics.

The Democratic Party must evolve if we want to secure lasting victories. That means moving beyond knee-jerk opposition and working toward real solutions. It means embracing the diversity of voices within our party and building a coalition that speaks to all Americans. New Hampshire can be a model for this strategy if we commit to forward-thinking leadership and genuine engagement with the voters who will shape our future.