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by Tom Koch
I have been a lifelong Republican. I remain active in the Barre Town, Washington County, and Vermont State GOP committees. I will be voting for Republican candidates this fall. However, I am totally fed up with the antics of our President Donald J. Trump.
He has started a war that he does not know how to finish, resulting in gas prices in excess of $4.00 per gallon.
He has imposed tariffs at will, with or without authority, the cost of which is inevitably inflationary and borne by us—the consumers.
He has insulted our friends (Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, and others) by suggesting that all or parts of their lands ought to be part of the United States.
He and his appointees have allowed ICE to run amok, exceeding its lawful jurisdiction, thereby putting its proper mission in jeopardy while violating the constitutional rights of innocent people.
He has demonstrated his egocentricity by replacing the names of public places with his own name and by ordering the construction of monuments and facilities (the East Wing ballroom and the arch on the Mall, e.g.) which will forever be associated with him.
And just in the last few days, he has promised to pay every adult U.S. citizen $5,000.00, provided Republicans retain control of both houses of Congress in the coming elections—at a cost of $1.3 trillion, which would be highly inflationary and stick our grandchildren with the bill!
That is the short list. There is much more; every day we need to hold our breaths to see what the President decided to do when he woke up this morning. Short of employing the 25th Amendment, Donald Trump is likely to remain President of the United States until January 20, 2029. That is the law, and we must obey it, but I no longer recognize him as “my” president or as a Republican, and that leads me to the real reason I have chosen to offer these thoughts publicly.
We have an election coming up in less than two months, and I fear that some voters might tend to think of the Trump operation in Washington, D.C. and the work of local and state Republican candidates in Vermont as one and the same. They are not! Whatever Trump and his people may be up to has nothing to do with what our Vermont candidates propose to do as State officers and as members of the Vermont legislature come January.
Our candidates for State and Legislative office are concentrated not on national, but on state issues, things such as education reform and property tax relief; full funding of the highway fund so as to enable proper maintenance of our bridges and roads; proper support for law enforcement and bail reform; permit and finance reform; and much more. These things our candidates pledge to tackle head on in January; they also happen to be things the Democrats with their majorities and super-majorities have promised to fix in the past but have failed to do, or in some cases—criminal law, for example—have actually made worse.
As you consider how to use your votes, I ask you, first, not to conflate Vermont Republicans and Trump Republicans. They are vastly different in temperament, in authority, and in the issues they will be dealing with. And while I expect to get lambasted by a few friends who are loyal to Donald Trump, I believe that the majority of grass roots, individual Republicans in Vermont are also disillusioned with the performance of the President, but they also realize that there’s not much they can actually do to change that. Yes, replacing the loud, disrespectful voice of Becca Balint with the dignified and reasonable approach of Gerald Malloy will be an improvement, but in reality, that’s only one vote out of 435.
On the state level, we can do no better than maintaining the present course with the leadership team of Governor Phil Scott and Lt. Governor John Rodgers. And in the Washington Senate District (Washington County plus the towns of Braintree, Orange, and Stowe) we are proud to support three common-sense, ordinary citizens: businessman and former legislator Rob LaClair; Barre Town farmer Chris Neddo; and music teacher and band leader Peter Schmeeckle. Please listen to these people as they campaign over the next two months, and compare what they say and believe to the accomplishments or failures of the three incumbents.
My friend, the late Ralph Wright, former Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives, used to emphasize that “all politics is local.” I think he was absolutely correct, and it’s extremely important this year to look at the needs in Montpelier as opposed to the circus in Washington.
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Categories: Opinion
Might I suggest taking two Growacet, and some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning; I promise.
Things are moving at the speed of Trump because they need to. The ship has lurched so far to the left that the gunnels are underwater, thanks to a brain-addled pResident that couldn’t name half his own cabinet. Trying to rectify all the damage in 4 short years was always going to be difficult, but Trump is spearheading a multi-pronged attack. Sure, renaming a lake seems admittedly silly, but the Left has made an artform out of it, so, why not join in the fun, right?
As far as “insulting” allies, actual adults need to hear the straight talk; “diplomacy”, such as it is, is responsible for NATO letting the US pay and provide the lion’s share of western defense, and pay only lip service to ever changing things. Trump bloodied their noses, and let them know those days are over, and the west is better for it.
Sorry gas is high; your hardship and burden must be immense, compared to our servicemen and women doing their very best to ensure that our children don’t have to deal with a crazed regime who will absolutely use nuclear weapons the minute they can get one to work.
I could go on, but your wish is granted; no one will confuse you
with those that possess the spine
and fortitude to do what needs to be done, and bear what needs to be borne.
Sit back, and let the adults handle this.
You’re welcome, I guess.
Thank you Pat. Several good points.
It is obvious you are suffering from BFtS (Blindly Following tRump Syndrome). The good news is it is curable. I highly recommend you stop listening and watching Fox, breitbart and other far right opinion stations and start getting your info on the world from real news sites like Reuter, AP and NOTUS. Your symptoms should go away in a month or so
Um, this isn’t a presidential election but you can’t seem look around your Trump lens….. a trait you share with most leftists.
When the apocalyptic, suicidal theocracy running iran has been defanged, even the Trump critics will be silently grateful.
The writer notably neglects to mention that he did not vote for Trump in 2024. He was “fed up” by questioning of Democrat election shenanigans in 2020. His fear of being associated with Trump and Trump supporters (which include “Vermont Republicans”) is sad. Gerald Malloy is doing the same thing.
Gerald Malloy is not doing the same thing. He is a very humble man with integrity and honesty and true concern for Vermont. I would rather support Gerald than the joke that we have in Becca Balint and the rest of the yahoos who claim that they are looking out for Vermont. I have met and talked with Gerald about some of the issues that we have and I plan on voting for him. I ask you, Do you want more of Becca or someone who wants to see positive change in Vermont and is committed to do so.
Again, THE LIST, compiled by Jeff Childers, with appropriate commentary at the end about these demoralization ops. Please share with your fellow VT GOP squishes:
🔥 Trump 2.0 Accomplishments (as of mid-July 2026) 🔥
USAID and the “Institute for Peace” closed
Negative net migration for the first time in 50 years
2.6 million+ illegal aliens removed (including 650,000 arrests and 400,000 convicted criminals) + 2 million self-deportations induced by ending incentives
Fentanyl trafficking crushed 56%+; overdose deaths down 21% monthly since inauguration
Laken Riley Act signed and aggressively enforced
Catch-and-release ended (99.9% drop); zero releases into the U.S. for eight straight months
Record-low border encounters; Darién Gap migration cut 99%
Largest one-year homicide drop in U.S. history; violent crime (rapes, robberies, assaults) down significantly
Targeted crime operations in major blue cities delivering record-low murders in several metros
Law enforcement officer deaths down 25%
Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and other cartels dismantled; international drug cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations
Antifa designated a domestic terrorist organization
Gas under $3/gallon in 43 states; record U.S. energy production and exports at all-time highs
654,000+ new private-sector jobs (all net gains to native-born Americans); 671,000+ jobs added since January 2025
4.3% GDP growth in Q3 2025; largest blue-collar wage growth in 60 years; real earnings up ~$1,100 annually
Inflation tamed to ~2.4% core CPI (down ~70% from Biden peak)
One Big Beautiful Bill passed (July 2025) — making 2017 tax cuts permanent, No Tax on Tips, Trump Accounts for newborns, senior deductions
$5T+ in deregulation savings + $215 billion in government efficiency cuts ($1,335 per taxpayer)
$10T+ in reshored/domestic investments secured
Trade deficit at lowest level since 2009; $300 billion+ in tariff revenues collected; Predatory global tariffs shifted in the US’s favor for the first time in modern history
Stock market record highs
Gaza ceasefire + hostage release secured; 12-Day War (Israel-Iran) ended; multiple additional peace deals/accords (Armenia-Azerbaijan, India-Pakistan, DRC-Rwanda, Cambodia-Thailand, Kosovo-Serbia, Egypt-Ethiopia)
Iran’s nuclear capability destroyed + maximum pressure campaign (450+ sanctions designations)
NATO allies leaping toward 5% GDP defense spending
OPEC dismantling
85+ detained Americans released; Abraham Accords expanded
Strikes on Houthis, Iranian assets, and narcoterrorist vessels; Nicolás Maduro captured
South America shifts rightwards; Europe shifts rightwards
Record military recruitment goals met; largest military investment in decades with AI integration; F-47 sixth-generation fighter unveiled
VA backlog reduced 60%; 3 million disability claims processed; 51,936 homeless veterans housed; benefits restored for vaccine-mandate discharges
Transgender enlistment barred; DEI eliminated across military and federal agencies
Over 269 executive orders signed in the term (230 in first year alone — highest first-year total since FDR); 81 memoranda + 158 proclamations
DOGE-driven bureaucracy cuts; IRS IT budget savings of $2B; wasteful contracts eliminated; federal retirement system automated and brought out of a literal coal mine
DEI discrimination banned in federal contracting and agencies; race-based hiring ended
DEI outlawed for college admissions; colleges’ patent revenue shared with taxpayers who funded it
Federal ‘boards’ and ‘commissions’ fired and replaced with conservatives
Washington, DC beautified; reflecting pool refinished
Gender ideology extremism curbed in schools, medicine, and government (minors protected from chemical/surgical procedures); girls’ sports protected from creeps
MAHA reforms launched: Presidential Commission established; Most Favored Nation drug pricing with 16+ major pharma companies; 8 artificial food dyes phased out (40%+ industry compliance); Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act; marijuana reclassified to Schedule III; childhood vaccine schedule revised from 72 to 11 consensus shots; expanded IVF access; $50M autism initiative; new whole-foods dietary guidelines
Massive firings at CDC, FDA, NIH of sold-out scientists; Ralph Baric and EcoHealth debarred; even some arrests
Withdrew from WHO
Crypto regulatory framework via GENIUS Act; Strategic Bitcoin Reserve created; Operation Choke Point 2.0 ended
Sanctuary city funding cuts implemented
Election integrity and citizenship verification measures expanded nationwide; USPS program pending; SAVE Act drafted and run at Congress several times now
Energy dominance unleashed: National Energy Emergency declared; 6,000+ drilling permits approved (55% increase); 13.1 million acres opened for coal leasing; record LNG exports (>100 million tons); nuclear projects advancing toward online status; major energy export deals ($100B South Korea, $200B Japan); Paris Agreement withdrawal
US becomes a net oil exporter for the first time in history.
Trump Accounts launched for newborns with federal seed funding + corporate matching
Farmer aid secured; skilled trades and domestic manufacturing (semiconductors, autos, heavy equipment) expanded
Over 100,000 fraudulent visas revoked; 275,000 illegal aliens removed from Social Security rolls; benefits terminated for 1.4 million illegal aliens; H1-B crackdowns and $100,000 application fees
62,000+ missing migrant children rescued; Alien Enemies Act invoked against gangs
Vice-president-led welfare fraud task force recovering billions and making mass arrests
$2B sent to rebuild Western North Carolina
Massive AI, space, and nuclear investment projects
John Bolton convicted. James Comey arrested. John Brennan under investigation (probably facing a grand jury).
RussiaGate grand jury set up and running in Florida.
DOJ/ODNI seized Fulton County 2020 ballots. Trump is still working on Plans B, C, D, etc, with a ‘new’ integrity announcement scheduled as soon as tomorrow night.
I told you it was a long list. (And I probably even forgot some stuff.)
Whenever someone posts “we should stay home on voting day because Republicans refused/failed to whatever”— that’s just self-destructive clickbait. As I said, we’ve seen this kind of narrative before. The formula is always the same— cherry-pick whatever issue is in the headlines this week that MAGA is unhappy about and promote that issue above every single good thing that has already been delivered— and delivered over just the first 18 months.
At best, it’s childish petulance of the worst sort; an all-or-nothing, perfectionist obsession that can never, ever be satisfied. At worst, it’s an organized demoralization campaign.
Gas under $3/gallon in 43 states? What year would that be, Tyler?
Record energy production? Yeah, because we’ve drained America’s SPR to an all-time low.
Meanwhile:
– No DOGE or tariff rebates for taxpayers
– No audit of Fort Knox
– “No more wasteful regime change wars” (oops–strike that)
– No ending Ukraine war “in first 24 hours” (or any hour, since we continue sending arms to Ukraine, burning up US munitions–and taxpayer dollars–just as Biden did)
– Bombed ten countries (so far)
– Dept of Defense replaced by Dept of War
– No arrests by Trump’s DOJ of Epstein clients (the list was “a hoax”, remember?)
– No meaningful arrests for the Russiagate and Covid debacles
– No pardon of Edward Snowden (but did pardon one of the world’s foremost drug traffickers)
– Nation’s first $1 trillion military budget
– Nation’s first $40 trillion debt
– No repeal of Section 1021 of Obama’s NDAA, which allows the military to detain American citizens without due process
– Pushed through Real ID (resisted by Republicans for 20 years)
– Data centers and Flock cameras everywhere (for surveillance, not for you)
– National citizen database (via Palantir partnership)
– Genius Act created privatized back-door CBDC via Stablecoins (OpenUSD goes live Jan 2027)
– Welcomed former Al Qaeda commander to White House
– Days before the 25th anniversary of 9/11, lifted sanctions on top Al Qaeda recruiters and financiers
– No mass deportations, but more H-1Bs
– Greenlit continued use of glyphosate and atrazine, the two most toxic pesticides (banned in Europe), as well as “forever chemicals” in drinking water
– Bounced Marjorie Taylor Green and Thomas Massie from congress (basically the core of MAGA in Washington)
– Posts a list of the greatest presidents, with himself at the top (of course) while leaving out Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan
– Hosted White House dinner with guests Bill Gates and various Big Tech CEOs (MAGA’s sworn enemies during Covid, remember?). Later awarded Gates’s GAVI organization $600 million to create “newer vaccine formulations.”
– Continues defending Warp Speed (made possible with an executive order Trump signed three months before Covid was even discovered) and mRNA shots.
– Awarded Fauci and his Coronavirus team a presidential commendation
– Nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz as new CDC director, who said in her confirmation hearing that “I do believe that mRNA technology is safe and effective.” Bravo?
– In August 2026, Trump’s FDA approved the first mRNA flu vaccine (despite 6x more serious adverse reactions in the trial vs a conventional vax), made by Covid shot maker Moderna and now mandated for the US Navy.
– Trump’s CDC awarded Pfizer $1.2 billion contract for mRNA Covid shots for 2026-27
– Trump’s HHS secretary Kennedy has not canceled his predecessor’s PREP Act extension, giving Covid vax manufacturers liability immunity through 2029
– Welcomed the new Fed chair by saying, “The Federal Reserve is a pillar of the world financial system and the most important central bank anywhere in the world.” So, no ending the Fed?
– Claimed that Chevron and ExxonMobil were “making too much money” and should return some profits to the public–which would be labeled communist if a Democrat said it.
– Drains America’s SPR to its lowest level in half a century (to keep gas prices from exploding due to his regime change war) and then blames it on “Sleepy Joe.”
– When asked how the Iran war could affect Americans economically, he responded, “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation.”
– With America’s cattle herd the smallest since the 1950s, Trump opened the door to import 300,000 tons of cheap Argentine beef that China wouldn’t buy because it was tainted with a banned antibiotic
There’s more, but what’s the use? The cult formerly known as MAGA will believe what they want to believe, even if most of their 2024 campaign platform was left in the dust a long time ago. There’s been a few wins, but hey, you’ve got to throw out a few treats to keep trained seals clapping.
100% correct Tyler! Thank you for taking the time.
Thank you, John, for articulating just how far the goalposts have moved in just 18 months. Well done.
Splendid job! Malloy should read you piece and us it! Sadly a tired ole rhino,
We should make a copy a post parts every day on FPF or local paper!
Tyler, great work! Hopefully I responded to your post snd not that sadly misinformed Kirby who clearly doesn’t understand reality.
Doesn’t care to look at the incredible unimaginable things Pres Trump has done!
Sadly he has made some inappropriate statements about the Russia/Ukraine war and the Iran conflict. He is used to rational people not the nut jobs in these countries. None of them are rational. Also Pres. Trump does not want to harm the people of Iran who are mostly slaves to the regime., by not destroying there power plant, bridges and roads to total bring them into the dark ages . But he will have to. It is hard to win against an adversary who uses your empathy against you.
It us yiur article we must copy and publish it everywhere we can!
Hey Gene– Every single item on my list comes with receipts. It’s not “denying reality” if you have the proofs. What would you like to see?
Well said Tom! The republican party is mostly dead now and is now the tRumpublican party. tRump will go down as the worst president in our history. He is corrupt, immoral, is a felon, hates Vets, and on and on.
For some of those out there, it’s time to stop watching Tucker Carlson, the View, Jimmy Kimmel, cancel your subscription to the Washington Post and the New York Times and start thinking for yourself.
CNN fan obviously
You Mark know nothing about Vets. I am a vet and appreciate Trump. Obama & Biden sought to make it difficult for Vets. Take this to the bank. Damn non-thinking Liberals.
Mark. You have drank to much Swamp water kool-aid for sure……time for you to 👀 see a doctor….don’t you think 🤔
Honestly, I am struggling to understand the purpose of this post. You emphasize you are lifelong Republican and you are intending to vote for the Republican candidates, but the majority of your post Tom, is extensive criticism of our Republican President. Then you are asking voters not to mix Vermont Republicans and Trump Republicans. I am wondering why so much of your post is attacking our Republican President and then asking people to support republican candidates? What is the message from this post?
I am thinking would it be better to keep focus on our Vermont issues and support our Republicans that will represent our state and community? I am also wondering if our Republican voters have to be told to choose between being a Republican and concerns about our Republican President. I personally focus on our candidates based on their own record and not if I agree or disagree with our President Donald Trump.
Nancy. Spot on and well said 👏
Need I say more….
That native Vermonter….
This attitude of a REPUBLICAN (?) that indicates the attitude of many so-called REPUBLICANS in Vermont. There’s no mental conviction, just a flaky attitude. If Mr. Flaky should read the excellent comment by Tyler Austin I doubt he could comprehend the reality. As goes Mr. Flaky, so goes the REPUBLICANS. By not supporting REPUBLICAN issues and what Trump has accomplished, Mr Flaky is voting Socialist Progs (he didn’t say he was a REPUBLICAN, just voted for some) of which it appears he’s supportive of. I believe the under line of Mr Flaky’s comment is to recruit people to the VT status quo. He must be happy with them. That’s the only reason for his comment as It appears. Why state publicly his position, it ain’t worth a damn. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, MAGA.
1. Could you imagine the price of gas and diesel if Iran had nuclear weapons and had strongarm control of the Strait of Hormuz and all of the middle east. There hasn’t been a refinery built in the U.S. since 1976 because people like you could not stand up to the environmentalists.
2. Canada exists because of the strength of the U.S. military and is run by a Socialist government.
3. ICE is run by the same laws, policy & procedure that every other president of the United States. Trump is only using the tools allowed by law. You didn’t see anyone complain when Obama used those same laws, policy & procedure.
If the Republicans do not keep the House and Senate, it won’t be because of Trump.
It will be because of people like you and John Thune who won’t pass the Save America Act. You know they are cheating and you don’t do nothing about it. The word that comes to mind is cuckold. People like you would rather rule in hell than serve in heaven. You would probably let China master the AI race and then blame Trump.
Trump is America First. You are America Last
The price of gas would likely be what it was before the war started that Trump said he wouldn’t start. And if Iran’s nuclear capability had already been “totally obliterated” (his words) in the July 2025 strikes, why even start a war at all?
Love this statement. 100% agree
Well said!
100% spot on period……….
In my 70 plus years the New Yorkers have always ruffled Vermonters feathers.
Try to look at the results and not the bluster.
There is a reason for the bluster.
Actions speak louder than words.
You’ll see.
Stay united Republicans, even if there are parts that gets your hackles up.
Divided we fall.
Guy and Tim, Why was this not in your Letters/opinion category? Clearly this is nothing but a [weak] opinion. A response would be great.
The blue tag above the headline literally says “Opinion.”
After reading all of these comments I believe next year I will just plant a bigger garden. Comment from Richard Day. I am glad I loaded my yard with more firewood this summer.
Tom. I believe you are a good person, but on this, you definitely went down the wrong Rabbit hole for sure 🧭……….
United we stand- divided we fall 🏔………
Thanks Bert