Life is fundamental; without life, there can be no liberty

To The Daily Sun,

This is the 49th in the series of reports to you on legislative activity. As you know we are focused in campaigning for the November 6 election so action in Concord is minimal. Endorsements and support from various organization are feathers in a candidate’s hat. I am honored by the endorsement and support from the Liberty Alliance, the New Hampshire Right to Life PAC and the NRA. However, one of the endorsements is both heartening and concerning.

I am one of 25 endorsements from the New Hampshire Right to Life PAC (NHRTL PAC). The PAC’s web page says, “endorsed’ candidates are those that have been thoroughly vetted and the committee has great confidence in their pro-life stands. Those that are ‘supported’ are those persons … show a strong pro-life orientation, even if the surveys were not necessarily ‘perfect.’ …. we believe we have enough information to encourage you to support them.” There were slightly over another 100 that were ‘supported’ by NHRTL PAC.

There are only two of us from Merrimack County to be endorsed — Natalie Wells from Warner and me. Three out of four Republicans representing Franklin are either “supported” (Greg Hill and Kathy Lauer-Rago) or “endorsed” (myself).

Why do I care? Because life is a fundamental principle. When the Declaration of Independence says “Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness” we need to take it seriously. Support of infanticide of the youngest and genocide of the oldest is only one thing . . .it is wrong! It is criminal to justify murdering people because it is convenient and a woman’s choice. Shortening an elderly person’s time on this earth because they are burdensome to themselves and others is devaluing not only a God-given right but human decency.

While I am delighted with the NHRTL PAC endorsement, I am gravely disappointed that we have less that half of the Legislature who rise to the challenge and truly support life! These are Republicans who claim life as a fundamental principle in their platform. A Rasmussen survey finds that a majority of Americans are morally opposed to the taking of innocent pre-born and that number includes a majority of women. A majority means more that 50 percent, while only 31 percent the New Hampshire House rises to the level.

Now you can argue that Rasmussen’s survey wasn’t as detailed as NHRTL, but it is eye opening. If we truly represent the fundamentals of our mission statement, the Declaration of Independence, we must do better. Life is listed first for a reason. Without life there is no liberty, and one cannot pursue anything, let alone happiness.

Dave Testerman

Representative for Franklin & Hill