NH Executive Council election results show injustice of gerrymandering: Letters

Executive Council election results show injustice of gerrymandering

Nov. 12 — To the Editor:

The recent election results for the New Hampshire Executive Council paint a perfect picture of how gerrymandering has warped our representation. Republicans took four of the five seats, but looking at the total votes cast this should not have happened. Statewide, the Republicans won 301,723 votes and Democrats cast 303,223 votes. So Democrats cast more total votes yet won only 20% of the Council. With a fair voting distribution map, one would expect one or two more seats going to the Dems. Republican gerrymandering packed Warmington's district with Democratic strongholds (she won by 20 points), which left fewer Democrats spread out over the remaining districts.

An attempt to have a non-partisan redisticting commission draw the districts (fairly) was vetoed by Gov. Chris Sununu. So he got his rubber stamp Executive Council and voters got cheated.

Allen Norelli

Portsmouth

Whether my skin is thick or thin, I'm calling out bigotry

Nov. 12 — To the Editor:

I am glad to read that T. Stephen McCarthy found my letter interesting but I fear that he misunderstood my position and so feel the need to clarify.

I do strongly believe that everyone has the right to express his or her opinion. And if Mr. Brighton had written that he believes the City Council is stupid, or dishonest, or ugly, or stinky, or any other banal insulting adjective, while I might disagree, I wouldn’t object.

The problem is when a historically persecuted class of people is used as the disparagement, thus perpetuating a hateful stereotype, that I find offensive. If, instead of having used people with intellectual or physical disabilities as his insult he had used any other group — be it a race, a religion, a gender, a sexual orientation, or a nationality — his letter (I hope) would have met widespread and strident condemnation.

And while it’s true, as Mr. McCathy asserts, that I might have thin skin (something I should probably see a dermatologist about), it’s better than having skin so thick that you don’t feel offended by bigotry when you see it.

Jonathan Sandberg

Portsmouth

$10 billion opioid settlement not as impressive as it sounds

Nov. 8 — To the Editor:

On the face of it, the recent proposed opioid settlement with CVS and Walgreens for paymentof $10 billion ($5 billion each) would seem like a good deal. (Walmart may also be part of this agreement.) Themoney would be paid to states, local governments, and Native American tribes to offset costs of pastand future programs dealing with the opioid crisis. The money from CVS will be paid out over the nextten years; Walgreen's to be distributed over a 15-year period.

The payment would appear to be a substantial amount of money. But by way of comparison, in2018 CVS paid a total of $68 billion to purchase Aetna Insurance, so $5 billion really isn't going to be muchof a burden, and remember that the money is to be paid out over a 10 year period, so roughly onlyabout $500 million a year. That will come from corporate revenues which in 2021 amounted tosomething in excess of $300 billion for CVS, with actual profit of close to $7 billion. That makes the annualpayout a little over 7% of corporate profits, and keep in mind that CVS's actual profit margin has beenincreasing by about 10% each year, so that percentage will decrease in each succeeding year. Finally,whatever the payment, it will count as a business expense, making it eligible as a deduction, therebyreducing the amount that the company will owe Uncle Sam at tax time, a considerable benefit to thecorporate bottom line.

Then consider this: the $500 million will be divvied up each year as it is distributed to the variousgovernmental and tribal recipients of the funds. Although the final formula hasn't been determined,NH's share might be something in the neighborhood of, let's say, $10 million annually. That will certainlyhelp fund important programs, but another relevant area of comparison is this: the current total annualcompensation package for CVS's CEO stands at just over $20 million (Walgreen's CEO receives somethingin excess of $28 million), and we can count on that figure to increase substantially over the next tenyears.

Past profits have come in part from the excessive marketing of the opioid products thatcreated the conditions that formed the basis of the lawsuit that has now generated the settlement.Future profits will be generated by the sale of product within the next ten years and it is entirely withinthe determination of each company involved as to what consumers will pay, and you can safely bet onhigher prices over the next ten years.

So we should be fully aware of who is actually paying for the settlement. It is you and me.Whenever we purchase goods or services from CVS (or Walgreen's or Walmart), or buy a policy fromAetna we, as consumers, are underwriting the full cost of repairing the damage that these corporationshave caused for so many years. The cost to our communities has been enormous; with this settlement,for CVS and the other companies involved, not so much.

Anthony McManus

Dover

Rep.-elect Balboni thanks voters, looks forward to serving district

Nov. 12 — To the Editor:

I would like to thank the citizens of Greenland, North Hampton and Rye who have given me the opportunity to represent them in the New Hampshire State House next term. Over the past few months, I have gotten to know many people who have taken the time to discuss their issues and concerns about our state government. I appreciate that input and hope that residents will continue to reach out to me throughout my term so that I may be an effective representative for our communities.

During my campaign, I was encouraged by numerous friends, old and new, who provided advice, hosted gatherings, canvassed with me, wrote letters, placed signs in their yard, held signs at the polls and most importantly, voted for me on November 8th. I am so grateful for your support! Special thanks to Representatives Jaci Grote, Dennis Malloy, and Jim Maggiore; Chris and Melanie Muns; Donna McCay and Donna Seigel and the North Hampton Democrats; Alice Passer and the Greenland Democrats; Stacey Brooks and the Rye Democrats; and my family, for their patience and understanding of my campaign commitments.

I look forward to serving you in Concord.

Peggy Balboni

Rye Beach

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH Executive Council election shows gerrymandering injustice: Letters