Opinion

For opinion pieces on any topic.

A Trump Coup?

by David Van Deusen | Politics

Two nights ago, at the first 2020 U.S. Presidential debate, Americans of all political leanings should be alarmed and sickened by the spectacle that was Donald Trump. Trump, when asked point blank if he condemns white supremacists, refused; instead he told an armed neo-fascist organization to “stand-by.” He further verbalized a series of lies seeking to undermine confidence in the U.S. election system. Together these assertions give strong inclination that Trump expects to lose the popular vote & the electoral college, to be defeated by Joe Biden, and yet to position himself in a way that will allow him a public argument as to why he must remain in power. Never in modern U.S. history has such an extreme rightwing Presidential candidate come so close as to telegraph a coup.

Democratic candidate Joe Biden, for his part called for massive re-investment in America’s infrastructure, building out our renewable energy production, for the creation of millions of new prevailing wage jobs, and for a collective effort to find redress to systemic racism. Biden, who is endorsed by the National AFL-CIO, presently leads Trump in national polls by 6.4%.

Landlords & the Vermont Housing Crisis: A Response from TUB to Brandie Starr’s “Be Part of the Movement Towards a Sustainable Brattleboro”

by efrancese | Op/Ed

Brandie Starr of the Brattleboro selectboard recently wrote an article titled, “Be part of the movement towards a sustainable Brattleboro” in which she directly addresses community members and, more specifically, landlords. The article is in reaction to and support of a, now notorious, proposal written by the Tenants’ Union of Brattleboro (TUB) which limits security deposits to an amount of one month’s rent or less.

Since the proposal was added to the last selectboard meeting agenda and since Starr has voiced her support, there have been rumblings of discontent from the landlord community. From voices of opposition at the selectboard meetings, to local landlord Deedee Jones’s rebuttal piece, to emails sent directly to the tenant’s union.

I am a member of TUB and a tenant who has rented four apartments in Brattleboro. On behalf of myself and the tenant’s union, I would like to elaborate on Starr’s points and examine the conditions that make a proposal like this reasonable, necessary and, quite honestly, not very radical. I would also like to address some of the voiced and rumored concerns from our local landlords.

October Surprise?

by tomaidh | Op/Ed

The polls so-far don’t look too good for Trump’s re-election.

His ego will not accept a defeat. He WILL go to extreme measures to prevent this.

One extreme measure might be a war.

Imagine Trump or Biden In Church Praying For Yemeni Children Facing Starvation and US Missiles?

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Noting the history of the child genocide in Yemen as only one example of America’s genocidal foreign policy and cruel criminal media managed political distraction away from compassionate public interest, article seeks to awaken enough of a feeling of outrage to promote public demand for a halt of what is the ongoing murder of a massive amount of children.

Bear or Bull Market? Your Vote for State Treasurer May Keep Vermont In Debt with Unfunded Liabilites!

by Cris Ericson | Politics

Do we need to vote for a new Treasurer for the State of Vermont? Is the current State Treasurer actually admitting she’s having a hard time? Is ten years of her control over our taxpayer dollars enough?

If you always vote with your political party line, if they have you like a fish, hook-line-and sinker, then don’t cry when the sinker
takes you down.

Here are the candidates running for the office of State Treasurer on the statewide ballot for the Nov. 3, 2020 election. Voting has begun.

Pay Attention! There Is A Huge Difference Between Lieutenant Governor Candidates!

by Cris Ericson | Politics

Let’s pick apart a few huge differences between Lieutenant Governor candidates!

Cris Ericson, Molly Gray, Scott Milne and two other candidates are on the ballot for Lieutenant Governor. Mr Billado and Mr. Corbo do not have websites, but you can call or email them.

It is actually important to know something about the people we are voting for or against.

Only 2 Choices on Statewide Ballot for Auditor, So What’s the Difference? Big Money!

by Cris Ericson | Politics

In the State of Vermont, ten year incumbent Auditor of Accounts, Doug Hoffer (D/R) is on the Nov. 3, 2020 election ballot for BOTH the Democrats and the Republicans.

He has only one opposing candidate on the ballot running against him, Progressive Party candidate, Cris Ericson (P).

Doug Hoffer, as the current Vermont State Auditor, sits on the Audit Committee of the University of Vermont which is SELF-AUDITING. How on earth can that be, when UVM, University of Vermont, receives about 44 million dollars of Vermont taxpayers’ money every year?

Brattleboro Representative Town Meeting Team Effort

by TCarter | Op/Ed

Since August most town representatives, like myself,  started refamiliarising ourselves with the town articles that still needed to be voted on . Due to Covid  19  town meeting ,for the most part, was all put on hold last March.  Zoom was the method of this rescheduled  9/12  meeting, a whole new frontier for many, a true labor of love and team effort .

I want to thank and praise my fellow TM members that managed to keep the quorum for over 13 1/2 hours with all articles voted on , this also included the 3 hour test run on the 5th.

Brattleboro Food Co-op Announces Voter Registration Event on September 22

by Lise | Politics

According to their recent press release, the Brattleboro Food Co-op will be participating in National Voter Registration Day on Sept 22. They’ll be in front of the Co-op from 10 am – 2 pm with both paper and touchless options for those who would like to register to vote. Staff are being trained by the Brattleboro Town Clerk.

Says the Co-op: “Did you know that 1 in 4 people are not registered to vote? Did you know that many young folks, people who have moved and those who recently changed their name have issues with registering?”

The Co-op plans to do its bit in this annual effort to help people register to vote.

Progressive Party Candidate Cris Ericson, on Nov. 3 Ballot, Asks You To View Her Videos!

by Cris Ericson | Politics

Hi! I’m on the Nov. 3, 2020 official election ballot! I am on the ballot for 5 statewide offices which no one ran against me for, no one opposed me. The Nov. 3, 2020 official candidate list is on the VT Secretary of State website.

https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/election-info-resources/

ALL NEW VIDEOS!!! If you thought I really spoke my mind out loud before, wait till you hear what I have to say now!

VT AFL-CIO Back Emilie Kornheiser and Mollie Burke For State Rep – Endorse Progressive Slate

by David Van Deusen | Politics

9/4/20, Montpelier, Vermont – The Executive Board of the Vermont AFL-CIO, representing 10,000 Union members across the Green Mountain State, have unanimously voted to recommend the entire Progressive Party slate for the 2020 VT House & Senate elections. This unprecedented General Election move highlights an emerging solidarity and coordination between the Vermont AFL-CIO and the Vermont Progressive Party on the Vermont Left.

Vermont AFL-CIO President David Van Deusen States: “As we continue to struggle through the pandemic, the continuing economic crisis, systemic racism, attacks on the working class, and a rise of neo-fascism on the national stage, it is clear that politics-as-usual is insufficient in addressing the dire challenges that we are facing. We cannot mitigate a new economic depression through more austerity and cuts. Rather we must seek bold systemic solutions both to racism and economic hardships. The Vermont Progressive Party has time and again been a reliable ally in this fight. We know that with a strong Progressive presence in the Vermont General Assembly, with Progressive David Zuckerman as our next Governor, we will be well-positioned to implement a Union-led Green New Deal. The Progressives have stood by us on Card Check and on every issue we have given priority to in 2019-2020. In turn, we know our 10,000 Union members are ready to stand with the Vermont Progressive Party. Together we can and must build a movement capable of delivering a Vermont whereby the needs of working people come first.”

Work To Do Before Labor Day

by fidel | Politics

Labor Day is Monday, and mail-in or drop-off ballots for the November election will be sent to all registered voters well in advance of the election. If you are not registered to vote in Vermont, you can do so online at olvr.vermont.gov any time of day. If you are registered, it’s probably a good idea to go check your registration status at the same web address to verify your voter information so as to ensure that your ballot is delivered to you.

Be a good citizen, and then relax and enjoy the day.

The Post-Trump World

by RDavis | Politics

Many Americans harbor a mix of fear and superstition when it comes to talking about a world where Donald Trump is no longer president. Our worst fears were realized when he was elected in 2016 and it just didn’t seem possible that such a flawed human being could win an election. But it happened, and too many of us are living in fear of the possibility of another four years of misery.

It might be best for us to move past the fear and superstition and start to talk publicly about what a world without Trump would look like. Instead of listening to the back and forth accusations between Trump and Biden and having to swim in the cesspool that political debate is mired in, we can make an effort to change the discussion.

Town Clerk Letter to Brattleboro Voters

by Not Signed In | Politics

Dear Brattleboro Voter,

For the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election, you will be receiving an absentee ballot. This ballot will also contain on the reverse the local Justice of the Peace ballot.

I strongly urge you to review the ballot, make your choices and return it to the Clerk’s Office as soon as possible.

There is a secure drop box in the Municipal Center parking lot where voters themselves, or a friend or family member may return their ballot in the signed certificate envelope that will be sent with the ballot.

A View From The Undecided Left

by Lise | Op/Ed, Opinion

Our voting choices this year are many or few depending on who you ask. For those who’ve already decided, there’s really only one choice — their candidate. Some will vote Trump. Some will vote Biden. But for the unlucky few who haven’t sorted out their vote yet, it’s not that simple.

Americans Can Imagine How Non-Nazi Germans Felt As Their Soldiers Murderously Invaded 22 Nations

by jay janson | Op/Ed

Germans witnessed their radio and newspapers hail the Nazi invasion and occupation of most of Europe while praising fallen German soldiers for their service to the fatherland; a fatherland representing the world’s most wondrously superior people. Sounds similar to the indiscriminate praise monolithic US corporate media heaps upon exceptionally marvelous and righteous USA and her many proud invasions and occupations.

Unofficial Brattleboro Primary Results

by Not Signed In | Politics

Good evening,

Please see here for the “unofficial results” for Brattleboro’s State Primary election. These are the results from the ballot tallies, not including write-in votes, and not including other towns’ results for the Primary races.

Thanks to the amazing poll workers and the American Legion who made today possible! Considering our number of absentee voters, we had a lot of voters coming through the doors, and record voter participation for a state-wide primary. The day was smooth and safe!

The Narcissist

by tomaidh | Politics

Narcissist Trump very, very badly wants to be re-elected.
He has the means (wealth) to pull it off via a full-court press.
And he loves dirty tricks.