PAGE 4A — Addison Independent, Thursday, May 28, 2015
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Sanders offers hope for change
Bernie Sanders: Restoring the American dream The intensity was there. The spark was there. The bombastic political rhetoric has never left. But at the moment Bernie Sanders stepped up to the podium late Tuesday afternoon to announce his candidacy for the president of the United States, there was something new: His voice cracked and his demeanor softened as he humbly and graciously thanked all those in the crowd and throughout Vermont’s largest city for their 44 years of support. “This is an emotional day for me,” Vermont’s junior senator told the crowd of 5,000-plus. “Not just for what I’m going to be saying, but to see so many people here and to hear what’s been said. Thank you very much.” It was heart-felt, and if you were in the audience, you sensed he was seeing a lifetime of political struggle culminate in a single announcement, a goal so lofty when he first started in politics more than four decades ago that now it seemed almost unreal. But there he was — born into a lower-middle income family that lived in a rent-controlled apartment in Brooklyn, son of a Polish immigrant and a mother who died too young to realize her dream of a house of her own — making his announcement in the waterfront park he had helped create in the city he has called home since the 1970s. It was a moment that told more than words can say. With that, however, he launched into campaign mode and delivered the fiery speech he has been working on for much of his life. He hit all the standard progressive issues: health care for all, income and wealth inequality, the dwindling middle class, campaign finance reform, reversing climate change, creating jobs and raising wages, reforming Wall Street, providing affording higher education, protecting the most vulnerable Americans, and keeping the country out of war but strong and secure. (See story, Page 1A.) Notably, he glossed over the nation’s foreign policy conundrums, and avoided any mention of immigration — both crucial issues for any presidential candidate in the upcoming election. But he was vintage Bernie on his keynote issues and themes, including this assessment of the state of the country and his response: “My fellow Americans, this country faces more serious problems today than at any time since the Great Depression and, if you include the planetary crisis of climate change, it may well be that the challenges we face now are direr than any time in our modern history. “Here is my promise to you for this campaign. Not only will I fight to protect the working families of this country, but we’re going to build a movement of millions of Americans who are prepared to stand up and fight back. We’re going to take the campaign directly to the people — in town meetings, door-to-door conversations, on street corners and in social media… This week we will be in Iowa, New Hampshire and Minnesota, and that’s just the start of a vigorous grassroots campaign.” He had a few good zingers in his 35-minute speech, but mainly he stuck to an outline of issues he is calling his Agenda for America — a blueprint for rebuilding America into a nation that serves the needs of all Americans, not just the wealthiest few. “To those who say we cannot restore the dream, I say just look where we are standing. This beautiful place was once an unsightly rail yard that served no public purpose and was an eyesore. As mayor, I worked with the people of Burlington to help turn this waterfront into the beautiful, people-oriented public space it is today. We took the fight to the courts, to the Legislature and to the people. And we won. “The lesson to be learned is that when people stand together, and are prepared to fight back, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished.” That lesson is key to Vermonters, and all Americans, today. The question is not whether Bernie stands a chance of winning the Democratic nomination and the presidency, but whether his message would strengthen the nation; whether his policies are what each of us believe in and support. If they are, the revolution Sanders is talking about is getting each American to act on that belief. What you can’t do is handicap the election by voting for the person you think is most likely to win, rather than for the candidate with the ideals you embrace. When Sanders finished his speech and the crowd thundered with approval, the 73-year-old senatorial statesman raised a single arm into the air with a slightly clinched fist — but it wasn’t as if he were a prize fighter cutting his foe down to size, it wasn’t Bernie winning his first race as mayor of Burlington by 10 votes in 1981, it wasn’t him railing against the billionaire class and declaring war on injustice. Rather, there was a hint of satisfaction on his face, a hint of personal accomplishment that he would be able to deliver his message to the nation and that he had gained the status to be heard. He won’t rest with that thought for long, but it was a moment well-deserved. Angelo S. Lynn
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Angelo Lynn’s Memorial Day editorial “We’re siding with Bernie” perfectly expresses the thoughts of many Sanders supporters. We thank him and hope his message will help inspire Vermonters who have been hesitant to jump into the campaign. It was disheartening that Bernie’s long-awaited entry into the 2016 presidential race met largely with silence or the response — even by many who had urged him to run — that he has little chance against Hillary Clinton. Certainly Clinton, with her money and connections, is the Democratic establishment candidate. But while she’s a far lesser evil than any potential Republican nominee, she generates little enthusiasm or hope of real change for the better. In contrast, Bernie genuinely champions ideals and objectives that would improve the lives of ordinary Vermonters and Americans. He is sincere, straightforward, dedicated, and appears as uncorrupted and incorruptible as a senior politician can be. Angelo’s editorial has it right: If we acknowledge Bernie’s qualities and the importance of his message and then endorse Clinton, we advance the self-fulfilling prophecy that meaningful change is impossible; and we sacrifice our future and our children’s and grandchildren’s futures to that prophecy. Bernie’s energy and passion about issues that matter are our best hope and deserve our equally energetic response. Why would we write off the candidate we really want? Let’s commit ourselves to primary victories for Bernie in as many states as possible, above all in Vermont. Judy and Michael Olinick Middlebury
Diploma time
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE SENIORS stand at attention during Sunday’s commencement shortly before crossing the stage to receive their diplomas.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell
A fence viewer in need of a fence
Good fences make good neighbors, Robert Frost famous- I must have just inhaled one of the café’s double espressos ly wrote in “Mending Wall.” — Ben asked if I’d also like to be appointed as the town’s Perhaps that’s why Cornwall and many other Vermont alternate to the county solid waste district board. towns still appoint official fence viewers who, Again he assured me that nothing would according to the Vermont League of Cities and be required of me — though I could attend Towns (VLCT), “examine fences within the the board meeting if the town representative town when requested to do so by the selectcouldn’t make it. Assuming, of course, I didn’t board.” have a better invitation to do something else Turns out, though, that this duty is essentially that evening. bogus. “The role of the fence viewer has beI got another new, important-sounding title come somewhat limited,” VLCT’s literature and I still didn’t have to do anything? This was explains, with some municipalities abolishing my kind of public service — all the glory and it altogether. none of the pain. But despite the uncertain future of fence Sure, I said, positively drunk with power viewing in Vermont, I have recently and hapand prestige. Barack Obama’s got nuthin’ on pily ascended to the role of being an official me. Sign me up for that one, too. Town of Cornwall Fence Viewer — a title I’ve So far they’ve both been great jobs. coveted ever since I first heard it existed. Nobody’s asked me about jury duty, and This thirst for fence-viewing power began the only thing I’ve had to do is once a month, with a question to me from Ben Wood, a Corntransfer the agenda packets of the solid waste wall selectboard member who, with his wife district from my mailbox to the recycling bin. Sally, runs the wonderful Otter Creek Bakery. I’m now in my second terms in the positions by Gregory Dennis The board needed to appoint a Cornwall of board alternate and grand juror. I’ve manresident as a grand juror, he asked me a couple aged to stay out of court and out of the news. years ago. Did I want the post? So probably it’s because I’ve done such a bang-up job that What, I asked Ben, would be required of me as a grand Ben asked me — on behalf of the entire town of Cornwall, juror? mind you — if I would be a fence viewer. Not a darn thing, he assured me. It was just a title left Ben assured me that I would still not be required to do over from a past era. The town merely needed to appoint anything as part of my official duties. someone to hold the title. Fence viewers once had the obligation to help the town “OK,” I said, manning up. “I’ll take the job.” settle disputes between neighbors about where fences Having found me in an agreeable and energetic mood — (See Dennis, Page 5A)
Between The Lines
Bernie can shape campaign agenda Sen. Bernard Sanders officially launched his presidential campaign in Burlington this week. If the presidential election were held only in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York City and northern California, Sanders might very well win. However, voters from 46 other states will also vote for president, so it is likely that the person who takes the oath of office in front of the Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017, will be either Hillary Rodham Clinton or whoever emerges as the Republican nominee. Even if Sanders ends up falling well short of the number of convention delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination, he could have influence over the campaign, but only if both the national media and Clinton cooperate. If Sanders can get exposure for his arguments about economic inequality, the squeeze on middle-class incomes, the importance of addressing climate change, and the By Eric L. Davis influence of corporations and wealthy individuals on politics through the campaign finance system, he could make these issues more salient to voters, and force Clinton to address them more directly than she has to date. However, to accomplish this goal Sanders will need to get extensive coverage in the national media. He has been on one Sunday interview show so far, on CNN, but he will need to get exposure on the national news networks on a near-weekly basis. These appearances on Sunday interview and other programs will generate articles about Sanders in the print media. Sanders will also need national newspapers such as The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal to cover his campaign events
Politically Thinking
in Iowa, New Hampshire, and other early caucus and primary states. One of the best ways for Sanders to raise the profile of his candidacy and the issues he cares about would be to participate in multiple debates along with Hillary Clinton, and any other candidates who enter the Democratic nominating contest. However, Clinton may be reluctant to give Sanders and other rivals the attention that would come from appearing on the same platform with her. Clinton has been running a Nixonian “Rose Garden”style campaign, refusing to hold press conferences or campaign events open to all comers, rather than just a handpicked or invited audience. Clinton will want to follow the classic frontrunner’s strategy of having as few debates as possible rather than allowing challengers to get the publicity that debates would bring. She would also be pleased if the media were to devote more resources to covering the Republican nominating campaign between now and early 2016, to minimize the free media coverage for her Democratic opponents. Sanders has set a financial goal of $50 million for his campaign. He should be able to raise this amount, relying primarily on individual contributions in the $25 to $200 range. This would give him enough resources to be competitive in the four early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. However, once the campaign turns to larger states in March and April 2016, Sanders may not be able to compete effectively, especially if there (See Davis, Page 5A)
Airport noise is underestimated
If you’re sitting at your kitchen table right now and someone on the other side of the table says, “Hey, what are you doing?” and you reply, “I’m reading the Addison Independent,” then you’re having a conversation. This conversation is taking place at a volume of about 60 decibels. Would you believe the sound of your kitchen chat is the same decibel level as airplane engines at the Middlebury Airport? Well, they are equal according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT). At a meeting on May 19, a guy from the AOT showed us a set of charts that indicated the sound of operating aircraft is no louder than two people talking from three feet apart. If you’ve spent even one day attending the school of common sense you know this is ridiculous. The way the AOT measures sound, however, is not based on common sense. They measure sound against an absurd exaggeration of time that conveniently helps them sell their scheme. They create statistics where lack of activity is included in measuring activity. This is akin to running your lawn mower inside your house for an hour every day. That would be loud, right? Not according to the AOT. The noise isn’t statistically loud because you would need to measure how quiet it is in your house without the mower during the other 23 hours. It’s hard to believe a public official would make such a ludicrous claim. He made it, though, because most of us are laypeople and we aren’t familiar with what the designation of 60 decibels indicates. He thought he could spout some scientifically sounding data and no one would catch him. It’s this type of duplicity that has made it so difficult to communicate with the AOT about their proposed development project at our airport. Upon examination, all the claims made by the AOT — about safety, economics, whatnot — are found to be as bogus as their noise statistics. The operative word here is “examination.” The more one studies the details of their project, the more obvious it becomes this is an unnecessary and frivolous waste of millions of dollars of taxpayer money. There is a huge difference between the idea of improving our airport and the reality of the AOT plan. The AOT is trying to turn our safe and prosperous local airport into something that would require federal intervention and surveillance. I don’t know if 60 decibels would be the precise volume, but I propose we tell the AOT loud and clear we don’t want them destroying the local nature of our airport. Prem Prakash Middlebury