If I were really Thomas Jefferson, and my more famous words could resonate today, they would create a resounding endorsement of Senator Obama. His message of hope, of equality, of unity, and his call for the citizens to become more engaged in their own system of democracy should ring loudly, as they apparently do, in the "Freedom and Unity" state.
Let's contrast the 3 leading candidates.
The message of Senator McCain could well be, "I will do it to you for me. since his record of the past in matters such as the Keating Five scandle, or his fear-mongering in support of an unjust war have shown us.
Senator Clinton is a bit more clear in her message of "Let Me do it FOR you!" And her record of closed door meetings, or reaching toward various power structures either to promote a valid agenda, or to promote her campaign, validates that message.
Senator Obama's words and record are quite different. "We can do it together!" rings clearly in support of democracy. Hie entire career has been based on the practice and perfection of the same leadership characteristic. His ordinary citizen, grass roots campaign, is a demonstration of the results of that type of leadership.
Does this sound like empty rhetoric? Imagine yourself in nearly any situation that involves leadership. Suppose that you were hiking with a group, and found yourself lost due to a mapping error. One leader might lead you astray, another arrogantly insist on taking complete charge and keeping the maps hidden from the group, where the best leader would bring the minds of all together and seek the solution together.
The history of the United States is laced with the same. We can look directly at the leadership style of Ethan Allen, or even closer to home at General Stark. These men didn't lead the people astray, nor did either leader depend on any power structure to make change. The necessary leadership that so engaged the people to support a democracy was portrayed by the attitude that We can do it together. Yes we can!"
Perhaps the sub-title to the Vermont motto, "Freedom and Unity", should be "Yes, we can!" since Vermonters have done so many times before. I would hope to see a clear voice of unity and a mandate that reminds the rest of the nation of the principles of Vermont. And because every single delegate counts, this is not the race to waste a vote of idealism or protest, but instead, a day to exercise realism toward a clear mandate.