Politics & Government

Candidate Profile: Robert Elliott

We will be profiling the candidates for state House and Senate for Salem.

(Editor's note: Salem Patch is contacting candidates for the state House and Senate for Salem with a questionnaire, and their responses will be published as candidate profiles between now and the Sept. 11 primary. Disclaimer: Salem Patch will be publishing these responses as they are returned to us.)

NAME: Robert Elliott

DATE OF BIRTH: July 20, 1932

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YOUR BACKGROUND/EDUCATION: Graduated Boston University, BA in Psychology, 1955. School of Theology, STB, 1958.

EXPERIENCE: Civic positions include being first Chairman of Personnel, and one of the original Directors for the Salem Boys and Girls Club; On original Salem High School building committee; Original Fourth of July Committee; Founder and Director of Salem Christmas Concert; Salem Budget Committee, three years; President of Lancaster PTA; Government Committee, Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce; Chairman, Assisting Dogs Committee and Executive Board Member, Salem Lions Club; Vice President, Triumphant Cross Church Council.

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PERSONAL: Have lived at 44 Centerville Drive for the past 44 years with wife, Barbara. Six sons, three daughters, 15 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.

Love being a "citizen public servant," as New Hampshire State Reps. are called. We are not "career politicians."

PRIORITIES: Priorities for this year include, first, a continued balanced budget...which means voting for laws that help businessmen provide jobs to continue one of the lowest unemployment rates of 5 percent in the entire country, which will increase revenues...OR making further cuts...OR increasing taxes (which I will never do) as there is no other way to raise revenue, except gambling, which I strongly recommend.

I will continue to battle, and it is a battle, to construct a state budget, based on the projected revenues accurately predicted by the N.H. Ways and Means Committee.

Second, the largest problem of our century, Obamacare, or Enhanced Medicaid. This will be an historic decision for every newly elected legislator. The Supreme Court has mandated everyone must have insurance, or Medicaid, but at the same time it has declared that each state will be free to vote to have it, or not. If NOT, there will be a penalty imposed on everyone who does not have it, and the State will have to pay the penalty, and the IRS, not Washington, will collect it.

Next, supporting an educational system that provides and adequate education for every child in NH with up to date teaching tools, and methods, with teachers being selected by school principals, and accountable to them, with a one year training contract to be renewed in the second year, or not, and whether or not the Legislature, NOT the Courts will have full authority for all education.

Next, the completion of Route 93 in the next 10 years through Federal Funds and State Bonding.

And finally I will continue the frustrating fight for handicapped children by reforming outdated institutions, and putting children back into the homes of parents willing to care for their own children 24/7 with the Pilot Program named after Sean William Corey, supported by this year's House Vote, to begin in 2013...a bill I have sponsored and worked on for the past 2 and a half years.

And of course, the fight will continue for Casino gambling in Salem, and one Northern area as well. The Northern Reps. will never vote for just one casino, and every elected Representative knows that.

I will continue to oppose a sales tax, and an income tax. I respect the sanctity of human life. I support the 2nd Amendment, and will continue to vote for laws that respect civil liberties for all of our citizens.

Having voted for Civil Unions, even though my personal religious belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman, I think every person must make up their own mind on this issue, depending on their church's definition, not the State of NH, and I will respect that decision.

And finally I support the Constitution of the United States of America, as well as the Constitution of the State of NH. "So help me God."


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