Nick Murray

Occupying the Occupiers - UNH

Nov 15, 2011 at 12:36 PM

By Nick Murray

On Thursday (11/10/11), dozens of socially-conscious students and community members gathered on the campus of the University of New Hampshire to express their frustrations and solutions to the current state of affairs in America. Two not-wholly different groups gathered on Thompson Hall lawn that day: one organized in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, and one rallied around capitalism and free markets as a counter-protest, organized by Young Americans for Liberty at UNH and UNH College Republicans. They stood a fair distance apart, but over the 2-hour protest a practical dialogue arose among the attendees about the causes and solutions to the ills that weaken America in support of an elite few over the many.

Towards the end of the "stack," or speakers list, I submitted my name for a chance to address the assembly. Instead of devoting my time for comments on the future structure, organization or name for this group as most were discussing, I chose to spark an existential dialogue within the occupiers.

The occupiers were there to express their frustrations with capitalism, pointing to the failures of a system propped up by large corporations and the US government. Some spoke about corporate person hood in elections and Citizens United as well as corporate welfare in the form of bank bailouts. As far as I could see, I agreed with the occupiers on this issue of rampant corporatism in America. The thing was, they would tell you that capitalism begets corporatism, and I would go to say that "ignoble politicians" perpetuate this unjust system. I believe solutions grounded in markets and free people -- capitalism -- will decentralize power away from state, a collection of powerful elites unaccountable to the public. We might as well call it "the 1%."

Obama Not Willing to End Drug War

Jul 26, 2011 at 3:49 PM

By Nick Murray

At a town hall in Maryland on Friday, President Obama answered a question on drug policy from a doctoral student studying -- wait for it -- political rhetoric:

Much sacrifice is being asked of our generation. When are our economic perspectives going to be addressed? For example, when is the war on drugs in society going to be abandoned and be replaced by a more sophisticated and cost effective program of rehabilitation such as the one in Portugal?

The President's answer echoed his administration's continued position on the drug problem. He spoke about violence in Mexico attributed to drug gangs and our underachieving rehabilitation system, but emphasized that the focal point of the strategy is on reducing American demand for drugs. At the end of his response, he cut to the chase:

Just to make sure that I’m actually answering your question, am I willing to pursue a decriminalization strategy as an approach? No. But I am willing to make sure that we’re putting more resources on the treatment and prevention side.

This town hall was the latest public statement on national drug policy by the President and shows his continued backtracking from statements he made in 2004 on the failure of the war on drugs and support for decriminalization.

Bachmann Flares Up in Early NH Polling But Will It Keep?

Jul 9, 2011 at 11:21 AM

By Nick Murray

Recent news cycles have channeled the latest polls from New Hampshire to refer to Michelle Bachmann's latest rise in the GOP field after her announcement during the June 13th debate in Manchester, NH. The latest poll conducted by Suffolk University and 7 News found her with 11%, behind Mitt Romney with 36% and above Ron Paul with 8%. This poll included people not yet in the race like Rudy Giuliani (5%), Sarah Palin (4%), Rick Perry (2%) and George Pataki (1%), while excluding some announced candidates like Gary Johnson, who recently opened a campaign office in downtown Manchester.

In CNN and WMUR's NH Primary Poll conducted by the UNH Survey Center published May 23rd had Michelle Bachmann with 4% behind Romney, Ron Paul, Giuliani and lead balloon candidate Newt Gingrich.