I was using my own money to circumvent the silver-spoon barrier put in front of working-class candidates to preclude them from debates, which are the last semblance of meritocratic elements in our electoral process.
Category: Commentary
Commentary policy
Commentary policy:
In 400 to 850 words, we invite you to share your view on a current issue you feel is important. Have something shorter to share? Submit a letter to the editor. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermont voices. We encourage contributors to engage in a civil discourse based in reason and fact — and devoid of ad hominem attacks. While we do not have the resources to fact-check every assertion, we reserve the right to reject commentaries we believe to include falsehoods, distortions, inaccuracies or unverifiable information. We are particularly disinclined to publish commentaries related to public health and medicine that run counter to the scientific consensus and could cause harm. We will not tolerate discrimination, prejudice or abuse. We do not publish commentaries that endorse political candidates or parties.
Commentary guidelines:
Commentaries must include the author’s first and last name, their town of residence and a brief biography, including affiliations with political parties, lobbying entities or special interest groups. Authors are limited to one commentary published per month from February through May; the rest of the year they are limited to two per month, space permitting. Commentaries should be submitted to senior editor Tom Kearney at commentary@vtdigger.org.
Dr. Paul Manganiello: NRA’s tactics are to spread disinformation, outright lies
Because the NRA fought any attempt to develop any databases on gun violence, even defensive use of guns, it is not known the extent of successful implementation or the effectiveness of defensive use of guns in preventing firearm death or injury.
Michael Leichliter: Universal school meals help families cope as food costs spike
We can make sure that no child in Vermont ever goes hungry during the school day — and we can give them the opportunity to enjoy delicious and locally-sourced and produced meals.
Brenna Galdenzi: A Vermont trapping lobbyist tried to sabotage our work
When one can't win in other arenas (such as the Legislature and the court of public opinion), resorting to underhanded and divisive tactics may feel like winning.
Tim Rieser: My 37 years on the staff of Sen. Patrick Leahy
Much has been written about Sen. Leahy — his many accomplishments for Vermont, the country, and the world. But very little has been written about what it meant to be able to work for him.
Rev. Devon Thomas: Black is beautiful in Vermont
Blackness and whiteness are not just physical features. They reflect culture, history, struggle and opportunity.
Anthony Iarrapino: Vermont needs to overcome its NIMBY notions
Vermonters have for a long time had the luxury of imposing much of our energy production pollution burdens on those who live in faraway places. Our complicity in this environmental injustice is yet another reason to embrace clean, local renewable alternatives.
Melissa Golightly: Be the Beat: Hands-only CPR for Vermont schools
$30,000 seems to be a minimal investment that could go a long way toward ensuring schools can meet a requirement deemed necessary by the Legislature, and ensure the best chance of survival should a Vermonter collapse at home of cardiac arrest.
Bob Stannard: Vermont needs a moratorium on spraying toxic chemicals in our lakes
The public is finally waking up to the fact that poisoning our way out of perceived problems is not the solution and that the process allowing the state Department of Environmental Conservation to do so is flawed.
Robert Fireovid: I want our population to shrink. I pray for it every day.
De-growth can be a truly satisfying and rewarding future for everyone and everything in Vermont and around our planet. Let’s shrink into abundance for all.