With Independence Day tomorrow, it's almost fitting to feature a story from the state whose motto is "Live Free or Die".  As someone who spent more than half of his life in New England, I can tell you first hand that New Hampshire is somewhat of an enigma.  Whereas New England is a bastion of liberalism, New Hampshire has had a prominent independent streak.
 From 1948 until 1992, New Hampshire was actually a pretty reliable Republican-leaning state.  With the exception of voting for LBJ in 1964, New Hampshire voters favored the Republican candidate each time until breaking for Clinton in 1992.  Even that election is a little misleading since Independent candidate Ross Perot garnered over 22 percent.
Since 1992, Hew Hampshire, has been a battle ground state.  Clinton won the state in 1996, George W. Bush in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.  The same lack of party loyalty has been seen in other elections around the state.  In the state house, Republicans were swept out of power in 2006 after holding a 98-seat majority.  Republicans also suffered defeats in state-wide races and federal races.
What is the future of New Hampshire?  I cannot even begin to predict given New Hampshire's affinity to buck the norm.  That being said, some are concerned about the big government ideologies that are starting to creep in.  The battles over free market issues have become so prominent, that Americans for Prosperity has just launched a state chapter to support limited government solutions.
Regardless of what happens to New Hampshire down the road, I think their state motto is a great rallying cry that conjures up feelings of patriotism, the memory of where America has come from, and the hope of where we can move America towards.
Have a great holiday!