He will still be there, lurking in the shadows, waiting for nightfall......BOOO!

I miss NH, she's gone.. she bought the liberal lie, she drank the kool aide and we will all suffer because of it. Sold out by stupid people in large numbers

Whether you like him or hate him Speaker OBrien did something that most politicians aren't capable of doing. He LED. Speaker OBrien knew how to achieve what he wanted, he is a true leader. He will still be in Concord and eventually he will be called in to fix the mess that will happen over the next 2 years, just like he fixed the last mess

Pam Tucker = More of the same!

I will not miss him at all. He is the catalyst why I am no longer a republican. He wasn't a NH republican. The independent minded reasonable republicans seem to be gone now. I am still a registered republican but voted all democrat this year. Proud of it in fact.

A good leader doesn't need to use guns and screaming. Gov. Lynch was re elected 4 times for a reason. Mr O'Brien barely was re-elected in his own home town. (he came in 2nd for the 2 state rep. positions in his district. Even he got the message and is not even trying for the House Minority Leader.

A Republican my entire adult life, I found Speaker O'Brien (and Rep. Bates etc) to be poster-children of all that is wrong with the Republican Party at this point in time. While purporting to be the Party of ALL of the citizens of NH, their actions and agendas showed otherwise. ALL of the citizens, to O'Brien & company actually meant "as long as you weren't gay and thought the way they did and believed in their version of the all-mighty. I don't begrudge anyone their religion or lack thereof. Nor do I begrudge anyone of their likes or dislikes (whatever their reasons are), but to create and promote legislation, based upon their religious beliefs or likes and dislikes, in my opinion, flies in the face of what this country was founded upon and what we all should stand for. The radical factions on both sides of the legislative aisles have perverted these standards and made a mockery of the founding tenents of this country. The sooner the extremists on both sides realize this the better.

Sure, I'll miss Speaker O'Brien. I have had poison ivy once too. I really miss that as well!

If bully = leader, then your point is valid. Real leadership, one where people willingly agree to follow someone because of shared convictions, is vastly preferable IMHO to dictatorial methods. Real leaders cross aisles, mend fences, help those in need and don't waste resources. If there is no possibility of compromise, then there is no democracy. It's not about who is right or wrong, it's about finding solutions to the problems we all face. The sooner that us vs. them is left behind, the better. Hopefully this changing of the guard will be the first step toward that laudable goal.

Speaker Bill does not want to be minorty leader. I am not sure he would have got the job anyway, after the way he treated many of his fellow Republicans if they did not say "how high", when he said "jump". I doubt he will want to sit in the shadows for the next two years. I see a "more time with my family and law practice" statement coming sooner than later. Say goodnight, Bill....

I am glad he is gone. His extreme far right politics and willingness to ignore the tenets of our democracy were chilling to say the least.

I am glad he is gone. Bully O'Brien was an textbook case of extremism at its best. The fact of the matter is that the GOP has thrown out it's moderates and liberals within their party, creating a litmus test that renders the U.S. Constitution a major blow. The founding forefathers of this country did not want a political party packing firearms, and strongarming the political process. That is not the will of the people. While the 2nd ammendment has its reason for being there, it shouldn't be used turn the State Capitol into a large pillbox of extremists. The last 2 years were basically a dark period for New Hampshire. Let moderation, and respect for all parties that represent New Hampshire be the order of the day.

Miss him? About as much as I'd miss leprosy. O'Brien's heavy-handed, dictatorial, bullying leadership combined with his extreme right-wing views produced a reign of terror and horrendous legislation. The further he diminshes in the strate's rear view mirror the better off New Hampshire will be.

O'Brien is a bully and has proven to be one! I say "Good Riddance" you pompous jerk!!!

It is hard to argue with results. When Speaker O'Brien assumed office the State was facing a $2B deficit and conventional wisdom from the Governor's office was raising taxes was the only answer. Under Speaker O'Brien's leadership in 90 days we went from an impossible to solve budget short fall to a two year balanced budget and a permanent and fair resolution to the untenable state employee's retirement system. Was he guilty of perhaps being too politically incorrect to some? Perhaps. However, he was not afraid to assume the "point" and take enemy fire. Speaker O'Brien was the quinessential Leader with a capital "L". I will climb out on a limb and forecast there will be a request within 90 days of the House reconvening to increase spending! God Bless Speaker O'Brien and thank you for your service.

Once again the fair minded, intelligent, responsible, middle of the road on those issues government is capable of handling competently NH voters have spoken. Regardless of your party affiliation, the outer edges of any movement is not where you lead from. We need to hold the newly elected and re elected to valuing the University system and all of the other educational institutions in this state. The devastation wrought in recent years is horrific. Just ask a middle class parent who is paying the highest tuition for in state students in the country, or the middle class student from NH who graduates from the State's schools with the highest school debt in the country. Look around my fellow gray haired, aging lovers of the NH "advantage" (also known as "more for me at the expense of future generations"), unless you are prepared to leave your NH we need to keep these kids, future tax payers in this State to support the infrastructure you and I will need. Not to mention drive the ambulances and respond to fire calls in our little hamlets. The consequences of the bad decisions over many years controlled by both paties is coming home to roost.

Bill Obrien is the best Politician that benefited Democrats.
More Tea any one ?

Who ???

As an independent I have always voted for House Rep's equally, to try and keep a balance. Because of Bill O'Brien for the first time ever since the age of 18 which was many years ago I voted for all Democratic Reps after I did my homework to see if their views fell inline with mine. Will I miss Bill O'Brien, nope about as much as I miss the the very infected Gall Bladder that almost killed me. A good, strong, effective leader does not have to threaten, bully or treat people as though they are beneath them.

Na na na na na na na hey hey (everybody sing) goodbye...

Yes. I will miss him like a boil on the back of my neck! So long Bill. You, Baldasarro and the rest of your gang should take the hint. Too extreme=bounced out on your #%+!!!!!!

I can not wait for my taxes to triple now.

It will be a blessing to return to civility. I'm sure that the democrats are equally capable of balancing the budget without abandonning their moral obligations.

I will enjoy watching all the tax hikes that will be required for them to run the state and then hearing all the complaits. I think we need to start out of the gate taxing and hiring state workers. Let's go to 100% employment.

Ken Eyering - gimmicks like Mediscam? The gimmick Judd Gregg used to balance the budget - a gimmick that we're still paying back? Is that what you mean by gimmick?

Charlie Arlinghaus and the Josiah Bartlett Center are mouthpieces for the Teabaglitarian contingent. If what they advocate actually worked, NH wouldn't be in the mess it's in. Remember, the NH House was under GOP control for 150 years. That 150 years includes Mediscam, by the way. Democrats had control of the House for 4 years. To pretend that they devastated the state in 4 years is utterly dishonest. NH has the 11th worst infrastructure in the nation. We didn't get there in 4 years. NH ranked dead last in state spending on our university system long before the Democrats came along.

Look why discuss the democrats have a mandate to raise taxes in order to hire more teachers. Please let's get to full employment right now. If you are unemployed apply to be a teacher

@Ken Eyering If asking you a legitimate question is your definition of "ridicule," Ken, perhaps your skin is too thin for comment sections. I also seem to be missing the place where it was I preached tolerance. You wouldn't happen to be engaging in some partisan stereotyping would you, Ken? Let me help you with 2 things: I'm not a Democrat. I'm also not an unknown. susanthe is hardly a pseudonym.
Now, let's get down to business, shall we?

You created a post of faux-outrage, designed to distract from the fact that you addressed precisely NONE of the points I raised. Mediscam, infrastructure, state university system: please discuss.

Tax Hikes are a comin are a comin are a comin tonight.

Ken,

What names did I call you? A direct quote would be most helpful.

Ken, let us summarize. You don't like being challenged. You've chosen NOT to respond to any of my points, preferring to just repeat the Charlie Arlinghaus mantra. You became miffed that I refused to bow before the great Arlinghaus, and even more miffed that I failed to show proper respect to the Teabaggers, John Birchers, and Free Staters who did their best to make NH a running joke on late night TV. I notice you didn't become miffed with anyone other than me, for not using a name that you couldn't identify. It's the internet, Ken. People can post anonymously. I have no idea if your name is really Ken Eyring. You could be anyone. To get prissy about pseudonyms in comment sections smacks of "hey you kids, get off my lawn."
I could google you, but, really - I just don't care. I get the feeling I'm not posting with the level of decorum you're accustomed to from the wimmins.

Well that went well ... Ya think.
In all fairness Perception is not reality.
Truth be known, I like politics I like politicians.
It takes courage to throw your hat in the ring.
" It's easy to be brave from a distance "
Native American Indian proverb

Taxes will increase, state government will grow, economic vitality in NH will decline...all predictable and historic examples of what the Destructive Democrats always do. Those of you who proudly voted for it? You'll get what you voted for, of course. Then the Republicans will once again have to come in and clean up the mess. History repeats itself.

We need to share wealth and tax all workes to give to the poor. We are all rich so why should we all not be taxed more. Consume less share more. I support taxing gov workers 10% more as well

I feel it is so important to tax the public workers at a higher rate as they are not producing or adding to the the economy as a private sector worker does. With this being said I am encouraging all people to do their share of sharing. When I get my Gov Job I will be happy to pay an additional 15% so others can share

I like the mandatory drug testing idea. But I do not think that public pay is meager. It takes ten private sector workers to fund one public workers pay and bennies. Thus I think the share the wealth equation needs to be tweaked. I don't think any fair minded Gov worker would not agree to the fair tax I propose.

what is dreamy ? It is crunch time and we are so looking for solutions. I like your idea of taxing Unions as the businesses that they are. It is so good to see people putting together workable solutions.

Who is dreaming?

Salemvoter good point if we move up the public sector to age 75

well if they want to retire early that will be ok. how else can we afford to pay our bills? Mike what is your plan? Do we take all of Oprah Winfrey's wealth and redistribute? Tell me your dream. My Father worked as an electrician till 65 with a bad back.

oh no not really at the time he retired they wanted him to as times were different. but are you saying that all workers under 65 are Lazy?

So Mike would you agree to tax and additional 20% for rich making over $250,000 who are in the entertainment and sports business and an extra 10% for business owners as long as we taxed as corporations Unions and taxed public sector workers an extra 10% and extend their retirement to 70? If they want to opt to a lower age they could agree to a 50% reduction of their pension. Seems like a fair starting point. Can you agree?

mike you seem to be getting upset. What petty angers? we are presenting real solutions. Who are you talking your anger out on when you want to make someone pay? Who should pay more? Why should some pay more and not others? I thought we were sharing?

nonsense I am proposing solutions but you seem one sided. So you want others to bail you out? You don't feel all parties need to help?

what Douglas replied I can't believe that people can get paid $4671 in 4 weeks on the computer. did you look at this web page Cloud65.com

To understand the magnitude of the problem with pension funding you have to look at some of the payouts compared to lifetime contributions.
William Mortimer contributed 51K over his carreer. He started receiving a pension in 1988 and currently receives 92K annually. Other examples:
William Mortimer-->51K --> 1988 -->92K current (repeated from above)
Robert Lister --> 102k --> 2009 --> 82K
James E. Coughenour--> 153K -->2008 --> 72k
Frank S. Ott --> 99k --> 2003 --> current 74K
Robin N. Burdick --> 91K --> 2009 --> 78K
It doesn't take an advanced degree to see from the math for some of these pensions that no investment is going to come close to paying the employee pensions. That is why we have a 4 Billion+ deficit.Now that the state is unmasking how much pensions really costs by decentralizing the city's contribution and making it local,we are getting a pretty good idea of why our services are so thin. We have to pay substantial dollars into the state pension system. For a very long time the system was skewed to the pensioner beyond reason. These well-hidden fantasy pensions have existed for too long. They are unfair to the taxpayers who have to pick up for the slack in the contribution to obscene payout ratio.Some small corrections have been made but we are still looking at a long term reduction in services due to pension benefits that the municipalities will pay more directly.Some fear that the newly elected house will try to roll back some of the reforms.

Mike I do not think a 10% flat tax will feed the Democratic monster. Can you show me how it will cash flow for us?

Mike bail you out of you train wreck of debt? How will we pay it off if we don't come up with solutions? Come up with an original thought mean while we will have Hassan hiring more public workers we can not pay for.

The pension model is unsustainable. When you can put in 50K as an individual and have a pension running for 24 years and at year 24 you are earning 92K, the money has to come from somewhere.It comes from taxes.You can dress it up anyway that you want but saying that the municipalities are shortchanging the system might be right, but the burden that the municipalities have to pay is too high.The pension was/is unrealistic based on the employee contributions. It's been hidden for a long time, but it looks like you didn't do the simple math above.Lister retired in 2009. At 80K+ a year for 4 years, not only does he exhaust the 102K that he put in, but he exhausts the artificial intererest rate that would put his employer/state/and combined contribution at 320K. Due to NH Freedom of Information requests we're starting to learn the truth about the state pension system. It's consuming our town's and city's and state's taxes.Social Security has a higher entry rate of 65 years of age and has a cap of <28K. Public pensions have crazy rules.If someone in a fire department fills in for a week while a higher ranking officer is on vacation, he gets the higher ranking pension.It's rules like this that still are breaking the back of this pipe dream pension system. I have a background and certification in treasury operations/finance.The numbers don't work. Look at the contributions,look at the payout. With the population declining, things look grim for funding.Prepare for reduced services

Mike I think she plans to hire many but in not yet in office. I think she will add 30% to the public sector workforce. Do you think she will do the right thing and announce a hiring and wage freeze?

So Mike you said "Currently the top 1% only pays 2% or less of their net worth in taxes, It might have to be lower." so is you flat tax based on 1 to 2 % of Net Worth each year. You are right you have confused me on you thoughts

Prepare for higher taxes. Per capita income decreased in NH, but not for public labor union employees. They got COLA's, step raises, longevity bonuses, etc. The US population is in decline. Personal income is in decline. Personal debt is on the rise. This is a pyramid scheme that has no way of being fixed without increasing the tax base. That's hard to do without increasing the number of citizens, especially working citizens. If NH raises taxes we will become less business friendly. The European failures over the last 4 years are a indication of what we have coming if we don't adopt some austerity measures. I'm not happy about our situation but you have to look at the reality of our bruised economy.
We have to simplify and work together for a solution. I'm dismayed that our society has lost the community spirit of sacrifice that we had during WWII. We are generally self-centered and feel entitled. Regretfully the winds of change over the next 10 years are going to push us to an understanding of our economic reality.We have too many retirees with too few workers.We borrowed to prosperity. We have made financial promises beyond our means.Who will lead our people to thrift? How will we replenish the population if not through immigration? What will we do when we can't take care of basic human needs and people haven't saved?
Our somewhat healthy personal economic status today exists only because the Fed hyperprinted currency. We stand to decline further.

Mike skeaking of pulling things out of ........ Well your last statement is 100% faulse

why 30%? More public sectors? Democrats believe austerity kills growth. So Hassan will ballon the public work force thinking she will stimulate growth

Ask the question in two to four years when we have an income and sales tax because it will be the only way to pay for the 40 - 50% budget increases and the massive structural deficit.

Just 50%? Why so low?

O'Brien should have been forced out after he bullied a female legislator and brought her to tears. Or after he cleared the house gallery which was against the law.

Republicans should have been ashamed of him and cleaned their own house

Leverage is a short term solution. We have been leveraged every year that we have had a budget deficit and had to borrow. There's always some reason. Our government keeps growing. Both major political parties have their blame. Economies have indicators that give us reasonable predictors of where you're going to be over time. Declining population, diminishing jobs for the chronically uneducated, global competition enable by fast and cheap real-time communication, inferior public education, and endless entitlements are pushing us over the cliff. It's reversable, but not by just whistling Zip-a-dee-doo-dah and saying that we don't need to make any changes. We just had 10 years of war and we didn't sacrifice to pay with it. What happened to the American spirit of sacrifice? Optimism is great, but it needs to be balanced with a realistic self-examination. People are leveraged in there personal finance. I know far too many people who are a paycheck or two away from financial implosion. The Republicans are being criticized for being harsh. When the day comes that we can no longer borrow money, what happens? Our credit rating has dropped. That hadn't happened in 50 years. The collective household debt of the US is 13 trillion dollars. Add that to 16 Trillion dollars of federal debt. Our nations yearly economic output is 15 trillion dollars. It's not a single party's fault. It's been heading this way for 40 years.

Mike, the reason that Europe is not recovering is because a few nations like Greece and Spain got to virtually have Germany's credit rating. The worst mistake that Germany made was to give up their soveriegn currency. The UK didn't and they don't have the same mess as Europe. Austerity measures were made in countries that overextended their credit. Can you think of a country with three initials that is overextending its credit?