Category: Commentary

Is Drag Queen Story Hour like blackface? the Pro argument

“Why is it socially acceptable – as a form of entertainment – for men to put on dresses, make up and high heels and act out every offensive stereotype of women (bitchy, catty, dumb, slutty, etc.) – but it is not socially acceptable – as a form of entertainment – for a white person to put on blackface and act out offensive stereotypes of African Americans?”

Berry: Trickle-down totalitarianism

VP Kamala Harris said in a recent interview that “freedom of speech is a privilege.” To this I would counter that, no – it is a right, and an inalienable one at that.  Just imagine how astonished these same powerful people will be if they succeed in collapsing the First Amendment, and then are silenced by opposing forces in the future.

Koch: Vermont has a spending problem

Although we can improve the way we pay for education, we have more of a spending problem than a funding problem, and until we figure out how to reduce our education spending, our tax bills will continue to go up, regardless of whether those bills are for property, income, sales, or some other tax!

Roper: Property tax commission brainstormers suggest more taxes, bake sales

And this one really gets the old jaw to drop: “Bake sales.” Yeah, sure! At an average cost of $2 each, we would only have to sell around 100 million chocolate chip cookies to cover the current over-spending gap – assuming parents foot the cost of ingredients. Sound thinking here from the brains of those charged with preparing our young people for future of success.

Agenda 21 Puts the You in U.N.

Agenda 21 is not a conspiracy theory; it is a real plan of action created by the United Nations in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit. The document outlines voluntary steps nations should take to achieve sustainable development, including land use planning, protecting ecosystems, managing resources, and reducing carbon emissions.

Climate hysteria is destroying our youth

Truthfully I do not blame these kids at all. It’s what they’re being taught, (that the world is going to end in 5 years) and its all because of us terrible humans! I went through the Vermont schools system, and I can remember laying in my bed at night as a middle schooler, unable to sleep because I was afraid the ice caps would melt and flood everywhere.

Soulia: Don’t worry, The state will pay for it

The common refrain seems to be, “Don’t worry, the state will pay for it.” However, this mindset creates a dangerous financial spiral that leaves both residents and the government worse off. As state spending grows, so does the expectation that it can cover an ever-expanding list of social programs and environmental goals.

Koch: Throwing tax money at a problem won’t solve it

Frequently, those on the hunt for more tax revenue suggest that the sales and use tax law should be expanded to charge the tax on services—think attorney fees, physician and hospital charges, automobile repairs and maintenance, and the like.  How about making the person who cuts or styles your hair a tax collector?  Or maybe the neighborhood kid who cuts your lawn? 

Heck: Lamoille County’s battle cry!

I also concur with the Governor that the Supermajority’s policies do not represent Vermonters overall views and more importantly their purse strings.  Our families expect reasonable legislation with policies that will help hard working Vermonters. Not drive them out of the state.  At the Lamoille County Field Days, folks told me they want to see the return of local control of their school budgets, programs, and staffing.