Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Jake Perkinson, the chair of the Vermont Democratic Party.
This election cycle, the Republican Party and its mega-rich puppeteers have landed on the argument that even though voters soundly reject the extremist philosophy of modern Republicans like Paul LePage, Michelle Bachmann, Wendy Wilton and Allen West, they should nevertheless vote Republican so there can be a “balance” in politics. Their argument is essentially: “We know we are wrong on every major issue facing Vermonters, but you should put us in power anyway so we can continue to advance the ideas you have rejected.”
Because the majority of Vermonters soundly reject the Tea-Party politics of the modern Republican Party, Republicans have resorted to unfounded fear-mongering, baseless accusations, and bold-faced lies in this election cycle, bringing the political conversation to a new low. This approach is a disservice to all Vermonters and degrades our political discourse while providing no constructive contributions to the discussion about how to move our state forward.
We live in a democracy. That means if most people don’t agree with your ideas, you don’t get to force them on folks anyway. But Republicans obviously believe Vermonters don’t know their own best interests and that we have all made a grave mistake in electing representatives in Montpelier that reflect our values as Vermonters.
We live in a democracy. That means if most people don’t agree with your ideas, you don’t get to force them on folks anyway. But Republicans obviously believe Vermonters don’t know their own best interests and that we have all made a grave mistake in electing representatives in Montpelier that reflect our values as Vermonters.
So, instead of modifying their extreme positions to attract more voters, the Republican Party is relying instead on their greatest asset – obnoxiously rich individuals who are accountable to no one, like multi-millionaire Lenore Broughton. The great irony is that while Republicans cry out for “balance” they clearly have no commitment to this principle as they willing to cede their agenda to a single individual who has outspent every other candidate and party in Vermont. That’s not an argument for democratic balance, that’s a push for autocratic plutocracy.
If Republicans want to increase their numbers in elective office, the way to do that is to adopt ideas that reflect the will of the people they seek to represent, not by trying to buy their votes. The Democratic Party has grown and succeeded in Vermont because its members are responsive to the needs of the people. If you want balance, the first thing you need to do is listen.
