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BlogElection 2018

Thanks, from ‘on the banks’

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

My sincere thanks to the voters of District 20 for their support yesterday. I did not win, but I did get 1.5% more votes than in 2016. My time will come.

Running against "the lion of the senate" was always going to be an uphill slog. I genuinely believed District 20’s voters were ready for someone new and principled, but you get what you vote for.

To my donors, supporters, and volunteers, thank you! I couldn’t have done it without you. From sign waves to lit drops to door knocking to providing moral support, having you by my side made it fun and worthwhile.

A special shout out to the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance, the Get Involved PAC, and Young Americans for Liberty for your support. Glad to see so many candidates you endorsed did well!

Many great liberty friends and colleagues did win. Congratulations! I wish you luck in serving.

Governor Sununu won. I encourage the Republican party to stick to its platform and support policies that embrace "free people, free markets and free enterprise".

I leave you with this quote from Will And Ariel Durant:

“Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing things historians usually record; while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry and even whittle statues. The story of civilization is the story of what happened on the banks. Historians are pessimists because they ignore the banks of the river.”

Peace out.

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BlogElection 2018

Unity in diversity

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Yesterday was a big outreach day for me.

The morning started with a Right to Know NH board meeting, where we discussed proposed bills to improve government transparency, and thus accountability. The current lack of transparency and the unacceptable level of redaction of public information is a growing negative trend in NH. I’m honestly not sure whether this stems from actual malfeasance or just general incompetence. I suspect officials simply do not know what they can or can’t do, and thus default to "no" rather than, as it should be, to "yes." As your Senator, I will continue to work to improve government transparency, openness, and accountability.

At 11AM, I raced off to a golf fundraiser at Stonebridge Country Club in Goffstown, hosted by the School District Governance Association, where my campaign sponsored a hole. I spoke briefly about my background and why I am running for NH Senate, and you can catch my second ever Facebook Live here. Apologies for the awful backlighting, I’m still learning as I go!

I then popped in at Manchester Market Day on the West Side to grab my Bardo CSA. We are clearly moving into peak tomato and onion season now. Noms!

Next, I visited Veteran’s Park in downtown Manchester for the "We Are One" festival. I immediately loved the vibe: vibrant, inclusive, yummy food stands, and great, GREAT music!

The Manchester Republican Committee had already set up their outreach tent in a primo spot in front of the stage by the time I arrived at 2PM. The festive booth displayed Manchester Republican’s literature and yard signs, and a GOP red balloon-making machine, which was a huge hit with the kids!

It melted my heart when one little girl came back to the booth with her dad to tearfully ask if she could get another balloon as her first one had slipped off her wrist and blown away. One kiddo built up a formidable collection of balloons, and I asked him if we could get a pic together (featured). Check out some excellent photos by Mark McLean, GOP candidate in Ward 8, here.

Our booth was next to the "Fight for $15"/union booth. One of the booth operators was dancing to the incredible band playing on stage, and when he noticed me also getting my boogie on, he came over and we started dancing together.

I complimented his sleeve tat, which was a teal and green forrest running from his wrist up to near his elbow. "I don’t have any tattoos," I said, "But I love seeing what other people choose." We started chatting. "What do you think of Fight for $15?" he asked, handing me a flyer. "Well," I smiled, "I don’t think you are going to like my answer." He smiled too, but took the flyer back.

We had a long, respectful, and interesting conversation. I explained my stance that I have nothing against voluntary association, but rather, my Right to Work position comes from forcing people into groups against their will or forcing employers to make economic decisions that might not work for them.

I explained that when it comes to minimum wage laws, first, it really only applies to a very small portion of the population (according to this Pew Report, only 2.6% of all wage and salary workers make minimum wage), and that, in my opinion, it is used to drive a wedge between people, to foment a class struggle narrative in which the only ultimate winner is Big Government. I also explained how in places like Seattle, where $15 minimum wage is now mandated, the very people they are hoping to help are losing their jobs. That employers, rather than far-removed bureaucrats, know best how to run their own businesses. I added that minimum wage laws end up hurting entry level workers, who are simply not yet experienced enough to warrant $15 per hour, and thus this crowds them out of jobs that could be providing a spring board to higher paid jobs later on. He raised his eyebrows at this last point. I don’t think he’d heard this position before, and it seemed to make an impression. We exchanged contact information, and he invited me to come speak at the new "Conservative" group they had formed. I heartily agreed to come!

Being from Africa myself, the music in particular stirred me, and when I wasn’t talking to attendees–or complimenting shoes and fashion choices!–I couldn’t help but dance. My one recommendation for next year would be to dial down the volume just a smidge (yes, I admit that officially makes me "old" :P) and to announce where in the world the bands are originally from, because I’m not sure my guessing games were always accurate. Not that I cared, because it was immersive and wonderful, regardless!

In the evening, we had good friends over for a dinner of chicken, corn on the cob, roasted veggies, zucchini bread–thanks, Em, delicious!–and Bardo Farm tomato, basil, and mozzarella salad. A delightful way to cap off an exhausting, but rewarding, day!

If you would like a yard sign or to have me to come speak at an event–I’d love to meet you!–please email me at Carla (at) Carla4NHSenate (dot) com.

Join me at my monthly "Town Square" gatherings at Manchester City Hall on the first Tuesday of August, September and October from 5:30-7PM. Learn more and RSVP on Facebook.

Help me win! Donate today!

Follow my campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

Tell a friend or family member in District 20 (Goffstown, Manchester Wards 3, 4, 10 & 11). Word of mouth is a powerful tool!

Thanks for your support! Let’s build a better future for all Granite Staters, young and old.

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BlogElection 2018

Balance is a good thing, in life and in government

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

On Saturday night, Louis and I went to see Radiohead at TD Stadium (pictured). How is this relevant to my race, you might ask. Well… let me tell you…

I learned the hard way that balance in life is a good thing. That "balance" is not something that just "magically happens," but rather, is something you need to work at, consciously, with effort and determination. I learned that I need to keep reflecting on my personal and professional goals, that I have to strive for that sweet spot between public service and my everyday life.

Over the past year, I have focused on better managing my health, stress, diet, and lifestyle. I stopped drinking alcohol, and, by switching to a Keto way of life (low carb and sugar consumption, medium protein, and high good fats–following the FDA food guidelines will make you sick and fat), I’ve lost close to 60lbs.

As the political machine in America marches forward to consume too much of our daily lives, creating an imbalance between us and the state, I also made the decision to, yes, of course, work hard to earn your vote, but also to continue to do the things I love.

I love music. I love to garden. I love to write. I love to laugh. I love to cook–and dinner guests say I’m pretty good at it (you can find my foodie pics on Instagram under #freedomnomnom). I love watching documentary films. I love to paint, although I’m not very good at it (and that’s OK). I love to read–currently a historical novel, Beautiful Exiles about Martha Gellhorn, a war correspondent, novelist, travel writer, and third wife of Ernest Hemingway. I’ve read most of Gellhorn’s work, and she’s the kind of ballsy, no-nonsense woman I admire (even though her political views don’t jibe with mine–and that’s OK too).

I believe politics is taking over too much of our lives–the Talking Heads on TV screaming at each other, trying to keep us divided and off balance, the social media storms, the surveillance, the pickpocketing of our hard earned money to fund programs that don’t mesh with our values, that we don’t want to personally support (but are FORCED to).

I believe this is because government is too big, too intrusive, and too nanny-ish. As your District 20 Senator, I will work to reduce these types of intrusions into our daily lives so that you are FREE to pursue your passions, FREE of the Nanny State, FREE to spend your hard earned money as YOU see fit.

Let’s not continue to teeter into the abyss of socialism, but rather, I ask you to stick out your arms (by voting for me) so that I can work, just as I have in my own life, to restore the rightful balance between ourselves and our government.

If you would like me to come speak at an event–I’d love to meet you!–please email me at Carla (at) Carla4NHSenate (dot) com.

Join me at my monthly "Town Square" gatherings at Manchester City Hall on the first Tuesday of August, September and October from 5:30-7PM. Learn more and RSVP on Facebook.

Help me win! Donate today!

Follow my campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

Tell a friend or family member in District 20 (Goffstown, Manchester Wards 3, 4, 10 & 11). Word of mouth is a powerful tool!

Thanks for your support. Let’s build a better and more balanced future for all Granite Staters!

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Blog

Voluntary is always better than force

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

"Forcing someone to pay for something they don’t want, is tyranny."

It comes from this clip by the consistently pro-market John Stossel in response to yesterday’s landmark labor union case, Janus vs. AFSCME, in which the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that nonunion workers cannot be forced to pay fees to public sector unions.

Readers know I am a yuuuuge proponent of voluntary interactions, meaning I don’t believe peaceful people going about their business should BE FORCED by law to do (or not do) things they don’t want to. In this clip, the lawyer representing Janus, Jacob Huebert, makes a similar point.

While I was completing my M.F.A. at City College in NYC, I also taught Freshman Comp. I was forced to join a union. I specifically asked if I could opt-out because nothing the union stood for supported my values.

"Nah," I was told, "you can’t," with an underlying tone of "pay up and shut up!" Since I knew I would be moving to New Hampshire soon after I graduated, I decided not to fight the issue, and reluctantly paid, like you usually do in a shakedown.

Unions make the argument that without everyone being forced to join, "freeloaders" will get benefits without having contributed. To this I say, let free market principles prevail. If you are truly adding value, people will voluntarily contribute. If not, well, maybe your "services" are nothing short of extortion! (And don’t forget those sweet, sweet salaries in the HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars union bosses are making!)

Free people should be free to freely support whatever group, institution, or organization they want. This is why I support Right to Work, and, as your senator, I will work to add New Hampshire to the growing list of RTW states!

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Blog

A future senator goes to PorcFest XV

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

I spent last week in the stunning White Mountains of New Hampshire, one of my favorite places, at one of my favorite events, the 15th annual Porcupine Freedom Festival, hosted by the Free State Project.

Read about my experience at Shire Liberty News.

"The non-aggression principle (stated differently, The Golden Rule) lies at the heart of our movement. We believe hurting and bullying and forcing people to do things against their will under the banner of “the state” (the “collective”) is wrong. We believe the world needs to heal by returning to the principles of individual freedom, where you can do what you want, as long as you don’t hurt others. We believe that unless there is an actual, real life person who was harmed by your actions, there is no crime. We believe in property rights, free markets, peace, love, personal responsibility, and in building strong social bonds within our growing community, and beyond.

If you would like me to come speak at an event in District 20–I’d love to meet you!–please email me at: Carla(at)Carla4NHSenate(dot)com.

Help me win! Donate today!

Follow my campaign on Facebook and Twitter.

Tell a friend or family member in District 20 (Goffstown, Manchester Wards 3, 4, 10 & 11). Word of mouth is a powerful tool!

Thanks for your support! Let’s build a better, more peaceful and prosperous future for all Granite Staters!

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Blog

Can we still take a joke?

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

Even future senators get an evening off! Last night, together with friends (and literal neighbors), I met my husband, Louis, at the Wang Theatre in Boston to see Dave Chappelle and Jon Stewart, with surprise opener, SNL’s Michael Che.

"What???" you say. "Why would you go see a bunch of lefties make fun of things?" Because IT’S FUNNY.

I have a refrigerator magnet holding up my favorite photo of Nellie, our rescue, that depicts two women in a parking lot doubled over in laughter (pictured). The caption says, "A laugh is the shortest distance between two people." I believe this to be true.

You don’t have to agree with everything a comedian (or a politician, for that matter) has to say in order to have a good time. And while there were many things I do not agree with these two clowns on, they were still hilarious!

Jon Stewart, who followed an excellent and excited-to-be-there Che, broke down a very public Twitter spat between him and President Trump. I won’t deny it, I laughed at the exchange, and was left wondering who was trolling whom.

Both Stewart and Chappelle talked about guns, and school shootings, and both–inaccurately–made the point that it is too easy to buy a gun.

But there was much to amuse as well, including Chappelle’s contention that all Black people should all start arming themselves, because this would be the only way to get the powers-that-be to make it harder to purchase guns. This sort of "reverse psychology" has always been part of Chappelle’s schtick, and, because it contains grains of truth about social issues, it forces you to question things in a new light.

What I love about comedy is its unabashed bear hug of the First Amendment. Political correctness has no place in good comedy. If you’re offended, get over yourself–or better yet, keep it to yourself, and in the future, just don’t go to the show! Free market principles–withdrawing your consent by withdrawing your purchasing dollars–is the strongest, most immediate feedback loop. No need to get The Man involved!

Comedy highlights current events, politics, and social trends. It creates an avenue for dialogue. You can’t change someone’s mind if you have no idea what they are thinking.

This is why current threats to comedic expression is a problem–through campus speech codes, and online "outrage culture".

In recent years, several excellent documentaries have been released that delve into the overt attempts to enforce "PC-ness" in comedy, especially on college campuses, which have traditionally been testing grounds for new material.

If you are interested in this topic, I recommend the feature-length documentary, "Can We Take a Joke?", which explores the negative outcomes of trying to police comedic speech.

Said Sarah Ruger of the Charles Koch Institute at the event launching of the film: "Free speech allows us to question the status quo and challenge ourselves to be better. The arts are an essential pathway for social commentary and introspection, and now, more than ever, we need more toleration.”

Know what "toleration" means? It means if something is not your jam, move on. It doesn’t mean use the force of the state to make everyone comply with your personal sensibilities, mores, and will.

The only duty of a comedian is to be funny. When the Roseanne Twitter storm went down a few weeks ago, my position was, if it’s funny, and you’re a comedian, then regardless of who you offend, you are doing your job. If it’s not funny, you failed. Roseanne’s tweet wasn’t funny.

Interestingly, at last night’s show, audience members were asked to put their cell phones in fancy pouches that were sealed until after the show. I loved this!

It created an immediate intimacy within the large theater–we’re all in this together, for reals, no intermediaries, no distractions. Instead of watching people recording the show, with the glare of their screens lighting up the room, everyone was engaged with the experience of the experience itself. No selfies, no checking social media. Simply butt-in-chair time, with a desire to be amused.

And amused we were. Towards the end, Chappelle and Stewart took to the stage together and asked each other questions and shared past experiences, laughing and joking and telling stories as true friends.

It was a reminder that setting aside our difference (and our cell phones) and just talking to each other as fellow human beings is something worth striving for. The cliche is true: laughter is the best medicine. Let’s heal our world, one guffaw at a time!

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Walk the walk

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

If you are going to talk the talk, as I do, about private, free market and voluntary solutions to society’s challenges, then you must walk the walk, too.

This past Sunday, I was delighted to join my fellow Manchester Republicans to participate in the Walk Against Hunger. We raised $1,300 for New Horizons of New Hampshire.

As we walked the 5K route on a humid day with the constant threat of rain lurking in the dark clouds on the horizon, we chatted about issues important to us–will our property taxes go up again?–we bonded with walkers from other groups, and enjoyed the camaraderie that comes from doing good together, as a group, for a good cause.

It reminded me of the untapped "people power" that exists in the Granite State, and how important it is to seek private solutions to problems.

Instead of always turning to the government to try to "fix things," we should be turn to each other to solve things on a local level through our own human action.

Taxes should be kept low to grant people the freedom to spend their own money on the things that are closest to their own hearts and values. Government, which is inherently violent in exercising its coercive force, should always be the last, not first, resort. If you have a pet project, get your community involved. Use social media tools to get your message out. Convince people through persuasion (voluntarism) instead of forcing people through taxation (statism).

Being able to voluntarily contribute to a cause I am passionate about through my own time and treasure, put a smile–and a tan–on my face this past Sunday. "Yellow dog," AKA "Nervous Nellie," had a blast, too!

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BlogElection 2016

Positions

by Carla Gericke
written by Carla Gericke

The best way to serve the greater good is, above all, to protect the smallest minority, the individual… YOU.

It’s the economy, stupid*

*You are not stupid, but boy, the laws coming out of the legislature often are. The best way to stimulate the economy and to create jobs is for government to get out of the way. Lower taxes, freer markets, less regulation, and the right to work all lead to more prosperity.

Criminal justice reform

The War on Drugs is an abject failure, wasting trillions in taxpayers’ dollars and resulting in the militarization of the police–yes, even here in NH! Just as alcohol prohibition did not work, it is time for new thinking on drug policy and criminal justice. Less incarceration, no policing for profit, more compassion through harm reduction policies, safer streets and neighborhoods. Let’s end the overcriminalization of ourselves!

YOU choose

Whatever floats YOUR boat–education, school choice, parental rights, localism, gun rights, cryptocurrencies, the environment, free speech–the government should simply protect your constitutional rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We should be repealing laws left, right and center, and not passing so many new ones. Smaller, limited, constitutional government FTW!

See-through governance

You have the right to know exactly what your representatives are up to. Government should be transparent and accountable to you. As your senator, I will disclose every vote I take, regardless of whether a roll call vote was recorded. As a member of Right-to-Know NH, I will also work to strengthen laws that expand government transparency, and reduce all those sneaky loopholes!

States’ rights

Everyone seems grumpy about the current political climate. Are you? If so, I want you to know there is a very simple solution to many of your frustrations. Adhering to states’ rights, and nullifying overreaching Federal laws. As your senator, I will focus on localized control, and always put New Hampshire and Granite Staters first.

Persuasion, not force

Every single law is backed by the barrel of a gun. Government is force–don’t take my word for it, see what this fancy Yale law professor has to say–so the smaller the government, the more peaceful life is. Instead of using the state to pass laws about your pet projects, embrace the power of persuasion and pursue your passions privately. Rather than pushing new laws on everyone, use tools like social media to further your cause on a voluntary basis. If it’s a great idea, people will adopt it. If it isn’t, why force everyone else to comply with your will?

Pro-life

Many voters have called and asked about my position on abortion. I am personally pro-life; however I would not vote to criminalize what I believe is a difficult and personal decision. I do not support any taxpayer funding of abortions.

Pro-life to me also means I am antiwar (but pro-veteran!) and against the death penalty.

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