Bob Guida – An Opportunity Lost
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 04:40PM Though I wasn’t present, I have read about the recent speaking engagement of NH CD-2 Republican candidate Bob Guida at a Nashua High School. Here he was asked questions regarding his position on Gay Marriage. True to form Mr Guida gave his honest opinion on the topic, one shared by a majority of people in New Hampshire.
This spurred the NH Democrat Party Race Baiting, Fear Mongering, Hate Spewing, Name Calling machine to go into full spin mode with outrageous claims based on skewed interpretations of what Mr Guida actually said. Of course, they demanded that every Republican within 200 miles needs to apologize to some hypothetical single mom or gay person for Mr Guida’s honest opinion. The NH Democrat Party claims that the majority of NH residents agree with them but they will work relentlessly to keep any such questions off the ballot where the voters reject Gay Marriage every time. Even in places like ultra liberal California.
I was more disappointed that Mr Guida missed a handful of golden opportunities.
The first was a civics lesson for those young people. They obviously don’t understand the role of a US Congressman, nor do they have a very thorough understanding of the Constitution as it relates to social issues and States Rights. A US Congressman will not be voting on Gay Marriage it is a State issue and has always been a State issue, Marriage is defined and controlled by the States.
The second opportunity was to let the Republican and Independent voters of New Hampshire know that he is a true Small Government Conservative, who believes in the sovereignty of the States as defined by the 10th Amendment.
Lastly, he would have avoided the NH Democrat Party Race Baiting, Fear Mongering, Hate Spewing Name Calling they shovel out! Although at this point Mr Guida may be able to wear the crap they get on you like a badge of courage for standing up against the knee-jerk name calling, free speech haters.
Reader Comments (6)
The "fear mongering, hate spewing, and name calling" is by he or any Republican who tries to make equality -- or a return to the inequality of the past -- an issue in this November's election. Shame on them. New Hampshire citizens deserve better than that. The New Hampshire Way is to accept one another.
Republicans should focus on issues that Democrats have emphasized -- job creation, the economy, having a fairer tax base, reducing property taxes, health care for all, environmental protection, educational investment, and efficiency in government. Those are issues of importance, not how to return to the discrimination of yesterday.
Mr Guida was asked for his opinion on Gay Marriage and he expressed it.
It is an opinion that a referendum type vote would finally settle the issue. Does NH support the Marriage of same sex couples? Why are the Democrats so afraid of putting that on the ballot, they say the majority supports it so put it out there and end the discourse.
Mr Guida's comments were not disgusting they were honest and some folks especially Democrats have a problem with honesty.
As far as "equality" goes the old law did NOT discriminate. It said that any man could marry any woman. That even included you Mr. Splaine. You chose not to take part in that but that was a choice by you!
Again Mr Guida, in my opinion (it is an editorial which is an opinion) failed to properly answer that question in relation to the position he is seeking! If he plans on taking the job then he should know what things go with it and what doesn't.
As for the issue the Democrats have emphasized, the solutions the Democrats have proposed and installed have nearly bankrupted the Country and the State. $872 Billion job creation bill that resulted in -3 Million jobs! Yeah that is progress! The State is borrowing money to balance the budget, while pushing costs down to the Cities and towns. The only investment in education is to Public Schools still using a 19th century model for delivering education because no changes are allowed by the Union. members. Trying to pass a WAGE Tax, under the false flag of taxing the rich, even though the truly rich don't earn wages it is the people from $250K down that receive wages!
Work Hard Have Fun!
Bob DeMaura
PS - You already know how I feel about Marriage. The State should not be in the business of marriage. The State can't confer on you the things that Marriage represents, so the State should rename their process as Civil Unions for everyone. If you want to get Married go to a church. If your church won't marry you find a new church.
He appears to be bigoted against those who simply want sex and love from two genders and oppresses them into a sad, unfulfilled life without a "real" marriage like the one he would have with another man.
How sad.
Heteros are giving a little with your homosexual bill Jim. How about coming out for bisexual marriage.
And Bob, your final paragraph discusses the issues that the Republicans should be debating this year. You have plenty to talk about without having to want to turn back the clock on equality. And about Bob Guida, I would expect that at least a person who runs for one of the highest offices in our state would support the American ideals of justice for all, equality for all. Gays and lesbians fought in our wars to protect our way of life. Gays and lesbians helped found this nation.
Plus, we've had a referendum on this topic. House Bill 436 was adopted the New Hampshire Way -- through our Legislative process, in full public view, after extensive public hearings where over a thousand of our citizens attended to express their views, with votes by Representatives and Senators following 12 hours of floor discussion in the House and Senate. It was also debated in communities throughout the state, with a majority of New Hampshire citizens saying that the law should not be repealed. Oh, and a bill to repeal HB 436 was badly defeated earlier this year in the House with 40 Republicans voting with most Democrats to keep marriage equality.
If Republicans want to make gay marriage an issue this November, I think they will learn that more people are concerned with jobs, the economy, education, and health care. They have already spoken in favor of fairness and equality. Thank God I was born in this wonderful state, and plan to die here.
"The first was a civics lesson for those young people. They obviously don’t understand the role of a US Congressman, nor do they have a very thorough understanding of the Constitution as it relates to social issues and States Rights. A US Congressman will not be voting on Gay Marriage it is a State issue and has always been a State issue, Marriage is defined and controlled by the States."
I agree with much of what you've written, so I am forced to ask:
Does this mean that you oppose, and support the repeal of, DOMA (the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act"), which usurps state definitions of marriage?
And regardless of your answer to the above, would you like to revise your comment that " A US Congressman will not be voting on Gay Marriage?" Apparently US Congressmen have indeed voted on this issue, and may be called upon to do so again.
Perhaps I wasn't clear but the way I feel is that the US Rep I vote for should recognize and refrain from infringing on the Rights of the States. So yes the US Gov. should however it is done, remove the marriage thing from their plate!
I am also cognizant of the fact that I won't get my way on all the issues.
Even Mr. Splaine has argued against changing the NH definition to all Civil Unions or all Personal Partnerships. He believed that historically the word "marriage" was used, though I pointed out that "a man and a woman" was also the historic definition! A word that was "borrowed" from the religious teachings of that time period when the original statutes were drafted. Give the word with all it's connotations, back to the religions since the State can only confer legal definitions on any partnerships.
Work Hard Have Fun!
Bob DeMaura