By Paul Bean

You may have heard, a few days after the election, I hit the road. I have decided to “get out of Dodge” if you will. I will return to Vermont in early January for the start of session, ready to write and video the news for the Chronicle. Now, as much as I am forced to suffer through 75+ degree weather, palm trees, blue skies, southern Florida weather, this journey has a purpose. 

You also might have heard, Vermont has picked up quite a few new Republican Legislators as well as a new Republican Lt. Governor, John Rodgers, who we interviewed three times in studio throughout the campaign season. 

Many have told us the property tax revolution or the public uprising against the Clean Heat Standard wouldn’t have happened without VDC’s shareable news, commentary and comments forum. Now look, we’re not trying to take credit for the hard work done by candidates across the state, as well as the Governor, his people, the VTGOP,  GET REAL, and of course the voters actually getting out and voting.

To do otherwise would be having delusions of grandeur… But heck yeah, we played a role, and we are proud to say so! And regardless, in 2025 we will continue to stay on top of the relevant news about affordability and protecting your civil rights of free speech, bearing arms and freedom of assembly. 

Back to the original point; this journey has a purpose.

There’s this funny phenomenon when you’re just a small town-kid from Vermont. People will actually make fun of you if you “never left your hometown.” Especially those coming here from outside of Vermont- they don’t take your perspective as seriously, and perhaps sometimes that’s valid! 

I experienced this a lot at the University of Vermont. Of course that’s because during my time there I was known as the MAGA-Qanon-Antivax-AntiMask-Conspiracy-Theorist-Climate-Denier-Racist-Mysoginist at one of the most liberal schools in the country. Looking back it makes me laugh. But anyway, I’ve decided it is time to broaden my perspective a little.

On my way to Florida, I made my first stop in our nation’s capital (otherwise called the swamp) and let me just say “vibes” were low…

“We just don’t know what he’s going to do yet,” said one lady with her date at a bar in Reston, Virginia. “He’s going to take away women’s rights,” she continued. 

I’ll admit. It was nice to not be known for once. She had no idea who I was, what my politics were, nothing. (No MAGA hat this night).

I carried the conversation on as peacefully as possible without interjecting any of my own personal views. I just asked questions, and I did mention that I was a reporter….

 “I work in progressive politics here in DC for a non-profit representing and advocating for mom’s. Everyone I work with is totally freaking out right now.” 

For those of you who know me, you’d be proud. I just kept my mouth shut. The only thing I mentioned was that our northern border had record illegal crossings and that had been upsetting Vermonters across the political spectrum. To which the lady’s date replied “Well now everyone’s going to have to mow their own lawns now that Trump’s President because he’s going to deport all the hard workers. These guys work harder than you’d ever want to”

Little did he know I’ve spent 3 summers in Northfield mowing the graveyards and digging graves. Apparently we don’t have enough… Mexicans?

The next day I spent in downtown Washington DC. A friend and fellow 2021 UVM’r who is from the area showed me around. He was able to give me a “behind the scenes tour” of the Natural History Smithsonian because his father is a contractor for the Museum, designing and creating the exhibits. It was a blessing to do this with him and see the museum with an “insider,” if you will.

We also went to the African American history museum, and before entering, my friend said a little sheepishly, “hey so um…I am not like telling you that you have to do this but like, maybe when we go in here you could take off your MAGA hat.”

I replied “but a lot of black people love Trump.”

“They do. However a lot don’t, especially where we are going. Many of them might even see it as a symbol of white supremacy.” 

Embarrassingly enough, I obliged. Simply because we were having a good day he was going out of his way to show me around and make sure that I had a good time- but hang on a second. 

I enjoyed the African American History museum a lot. I highly recommend it. They had important artifacts on slavery, and from important American figures such as Fredrick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King Jr. The museum starts two floors underground, deep inside a dark basement essentially. The flow/timeline carries you from the deepest depths of slavery in the lowest levels, mimicking the bowels of a slave-ship, all the way to the top floor with exhibits featuring America’s first black President. It was a powerful display that really put it all in perspective. I believe in an America where we can put racial division behind us once and for all, and this museum reminded me why this was again such an important goal. 

Following our visit to the museums we rented electric scooters and rode around DC to all the monuments. 

At this point in the day, I had received quite a few comments on the Dark MAGA hat. Every single one was positive. After stopping by the capital, we decided to venture into the streets behind capitol hill. Parked on the street in front of me was a USPS truck, and while zipping around the sidewalk, I nearly struck a black gentleman walking out of the truck. I quickly stopped and said “sorry man!”

He looked up at me and said “Hey man no worries… Yo, nice hat, hell yeah bro!  Make America Great Again….” 

“Thanks man, have a great day,” I said. 

When I finally caught up to my buddy, I asked if he heard that interaction and he said “Yes. You are something else bro” in an endearing way. 

So much for a small town Vermonter’s perspective. 

I had an incredible visit in Washington DC. To be there immediately following Trump’s election was powerful. 

I genuinely feel like in the past four years since graduating college we have been living under a dark, dystopian government. Upon my refusal to take the covid vaccine I was literally told graduating college that I’d never have a future. I’d never be able to travel, get a job, or even find a place to live. I’ve been called all sorts of names and been subject to all kinds of ridicule, and shame for not going with the narratives.

I am not alone in this when I say that finally, things make sense again. 

Now look, I don’t mean to put too much weight into any political figures, but for years we’ve been lied to. We’ve been lied to about Covid, the vaccine, Russian interference, billions wasted Ukraine, a brain-dead President, and an even more brain-dead vice President who took the nomination without receiving a single vote. The gaslighting by the complicit, corporate lamestream media has gone beyond a point of return, almost no one trusts them anymore. And finally it seems the lies are not only being recognized by a small percentage. Headline’s like this from 2021 remind me just how dark things were: Scott says 5% of unvaccinated Vermonters are ‘the problem’

It is like a giant wave of confirmation. Subtle nods, turning into a streaming river of Truth.  What we are seeing with our own eyes is actually real, we no longer have to doubt ourselves. 

So back to the purpose behind this mission. I am down in southern Florida with my Grandpa. Down here there is a ton of conservative influence, and it is just so refreshing. I don’t mean to brag.. But maybe I can bring a pocket full of this Florida Sunshine back with me. I have a number of plans to meet with contacts I have down here, learn about their business, their podcasts, their websites, and how they make their “Beans” if you will. This week I plan to stop by the Babylon Bee Headquarters in Jupiter and at the very least buy a hat or something. I have plans for interviews with contacts in Miami, Boca Raton, and Key West. 

Where I currently reside is about 35 minutes away from Mar-a-lago (where President Trump lives) so if anyone knows how I can get a press-pass to get in the building, let me know. 

I will continue with updates as we go and I look forward to sharing with you all I learn. 

The goal here is to take the Chronicle to the next level, and that is exactly what we intend to do. 

Stay tuned. 

-Paul