Welcome from the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, known as New England’s playground because of the beautiful surroundings of lakes, mountains and trees. It is said “this is what people move here for” but I have to tell you it’s more than that.

I am originally from the Phoenix, Mesa area of Arizona and I remember the conservative values of the state while growing up. Arizonans were a strong-willed people that weren’t afraid to jump into the middle of a problem and fix it. They are a very independent type that didn’t have a tremendous amount of friends, usually they were acquaintances. I always thought that the tough environment of Arizona’s desserts, mountains and plateaus built character but I was wrong. If you want to see a character building environment come to New Hampshire, especially in the winter months.

The people of New Hampshire are equally strong-willed and independent but they also have a strong sense of community. I have been to many different states throughout my life but I have yet to see politics in the most pure form than in New Hampshire. If you have attended any Town Meetings you will know what I am talking about. All of the members of the community come together in March to discuss the town budget, capital improvements, school budget, town and school staffing issues, etc… and nothing is done until a majority of the town residents in attendance vote for it. This is one of the main reasons people like me move here, you can actually have a voice in your government. Since the Civil War New Hampshire has seen a Republican majority in both houses of the Legislative Branch, Executive Council and Governors office more often than not. In fact the elections of 2006 gave the Democrats control over all the 4 main sections of the government, 2 Executive Branches and 2 Legislative Branches for the first time since 1874.

I have struggled with trying to define Conservatism and what a Conservative is. I consider myself to be a Conservative and know what it means to me but it is difficult to put it into words without getting extremely lengthy.

In my studies I have come across the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal. Dr Russell Kirk is the only American to hold the highest arts degree (earned) of the senior Scottish university—doctor of letters of St. Andrews. He received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and his master’s degree from Duke University. He received honorary doctorates from twelve American universities and colleges. Dr Kirk has published 32 books, hundreds of periodical essays and many short stories during his over 40 years in the thick of intellectual controversies.

The Hon. John Engler wrote:

“Russell Kirk has defended traditional values in a culture that restlessly seeks the shock of the new. Through numerous writings and lectures, conversations and seminars, he has taught Americans about America—about its deeply conservative habits, about the roots of its constitutional order, about the Burkean influence on our Founders.”

This week the Republican presumptive nominee’s interview with Bill O’Reilly was aired (May 8^th in 2 segments and on May 9^th in 1 segment) on the Fox News Channels “The O’Reilly Factor”.