WG... Right on point as usual. But.. I disagree.. ( What a great country!)
What kind am I?.. Great question ! ( but you may not like some of the answer!)
So. to keep this going.. I'm going to stray off point.
I'm a non native, transplant, (Department of Redundancy Department) Lefty Democrat.. (whew.. Hi, My name is SteveA and I like Obama and Jeanne Shaheen
)
The motto "Live Free or Die" is a shorter version of the original toast from NH greatest hero John Stark. If you research his personal history.. he, and his NH vounteers saved the day at Bunker (Breeds) Hill.
"The phrase comes from a toast written by General John Stark on July 31, 1809. Poor health forced Stark, New Hampshire's most famous soldier of the American Revolutionary War, to decline an invitation to an anniversary reunion of the Battle of Bennington and to send his toast by letter:
Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils. "
Sadly, this great mans comments has turned into some sort of "Tax Thing" . or "Life Style Thing". Sad that so many people have no idea of all of what he really said and most likely meant. (My guess is that the Whole phrae wouldn't all fit on the license plate!
I'm afraid that this great man's words have been highjacked. The NH of the 1950's was decidedly "right of center" , and that's when the motto was adopted.
He certainly didn't mean political intolerance. He fought to create freedom of political belief. I bet he would be horrified by the use of a snipet of his toast to be translated into any sort of political agenda.. left or right.
I see "Live Free or Die" misused all over the place on the forum.. from speed limits to property taxes. Sad.
Check out our biggest hero John Stark.. we all need to be careful when we invoke his words. (Remember.. it was POLITICIANS..that used his words.. and we all know how reliable they are..
)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Free_or_Die
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stark
So, am I a native? NO. Am I in the minority YES .. in central NH.
But, much to the dismay of many "natives" a more "left" influence is starting to show up here in the Lakes Region.
And.. YES.. WG It's almost BIKE WEEK... and you still owe me a beer!