This commentary is by John Clifford of Hinesburg. He is a former Army officer and professor at Vermont Technical College.
Phil Pouech is my representative because I live in Hinesburg, a small town with a reasonable budget and great people. But what I have learned is that very few residents actually speak out on important issues unless surveyed, and, as always, it’s great to hear from Rep. Pouech.
I think many of my fellow citizens would totally agree that our elected political leaders should speak out on issues that are important to them and us. But sometimes I respect leaders who are not quick to respond and who consider their impact on the wider issue being discussed, and I have come to respect our governor for his concern and leadership. Especially on important issues that directly impact my wallet.
But now that you bring it up, couldn’t we also ask “Where has the Legislature been?” over the past several years as important issues have dominated our economy and social ecosystems? It’s been no secret what problems have plagued us: education spending, property taxes, health care costs and availability, homelessness, rational climate policy, zoning, forestry, etc.
It seems to me and many others that our legislators love to study issues ad infinitum. Remember these studies cost money and time, but I wonder if they take the time to read the reports that have been generated over the years. Doesn’t it actually seem that many of the answers we are looking for now have been detailed many times already in these long and highly detailed lovely reports from studies? But when the Legislature would prefer not to act, they generate another study.
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I love Vermont and have lived here all my life, and joined the Army to fight for it. I desperately want Vermont to succeed, and for Vermonters to have access to any and all services that would allow them to live a long and fruitful life. Isn’t that the ultimate responsibility of any political leader?
One thing I have discovered from my time in the service is you can’t identify who will become a great leader. You can’t teach leadership, but great leaders are needed to make up for the ones that aren’t. What I do believe is that great leadership comes from the heart, empowering a force of action that even the mind wouldn’t advise. Great leaders rise to the occasion.
I think what many Vermonters are looking for is action by the Legislature that allows the governor to move forward on fixing our problems. Are there any leaders in the Legislature that will put politics aside for the good of the people?
We need your help, not your questions. Stakeholders have had their way in the past, necessitating Vermonters to spend far more than what was needed on education. Now, let’s work together to fix it.
