A way forward

Meg Hurley
Claremont
To the editor,

In this dark time, when our federal government is all too eager to damage people’s lives and the environment — positions that ultimately affect states’ abilities to protect and educate their citizens — candidate Gary Merchant’s bid for N.H. state representative includes constructive approaches that can address deterioration in the environment and social fabric. First and foremost, he will work to protect the environment, which is in fatal crisis. Without a healthy planet, nothing else much matters, because our welfare is at risk from violent natural disasters, spread of deadly disease, food and water shortages and the subsequent fear and insecurity that drive hatred and war.  

Gary sees the dire need to stop global warming/climate change as a priority. From there, all his other goals can take root: adequate state funding (that does not raise local property taxes) for public schools; expanding technical-focused community colleges and training in the trades; rebuilding infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and internet in the context of disaster preparedness; adequate health insurance that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions and affordable medicine. His positions are ones of pragmatic compassion that reflect the interconnections between health and education and environment and infrastructure and fair-wage employment and democracy. Together with Gary Merchant, we can reimagine the way forward — a way that honors all life, present and future. A future — something we won’t have unless we elect people with integrity, vision, vigilance, and wisdom like Claremont’s Gary Merchant (Ward 2) for state representative. 

 

Meg Hurley

Claremont