by Tom McLinden
If you are a fellow conservative, I invite you to join me in forming a new conservative action network in Vermont. Our mission would be to promote conservative ideals, and push back against the tidal wave of the progressive/socialist ideology over-taking Vermont.
Right now Conservatives are scattered across the state acting as armies of one. I believe the Vermont Conservative community, when organized, focused, and energized could be a force for good. By facilitating ongoing conversations, the exchange of ideas and information, calls to action, and a shared agenda we can leverage the impact Conservatives have on legislation, and the political dialogue. And given recent attacks on the First Amendment rights of Conservatives, the network can support fellow conservatives who speak out.
The network would not be in conflict with the VT GOP, I hope on many days there will be synergy between the two. If you believe the VTGOP’s job should be to get Republicans elected, as I do, the party is better off sticking to the issues. And, the promotion and defense of conservative ideals will not complicate the lives of moderate candidates.
I see this like teaching the Bible. If you want more Christians, you teach the Bible. You can cast about looking for more Christians but if no one is teaching the Bible the supply is limited. Right now no one is teaching the Conservative bible in Vermont. No one is teaching the principles of conservatism that are the real draw to the Republican party once they are understood and appreciated. And no one is opposing head-on the larger Progressive agenda, its destructive impact on the state, or the highjacking of the American and Vermont culture.
The network will begin as an email database that will allow us to start a conversation. We can build on the network as we go. The first priority is to get everyone onboard who should be, so please forward me the emails of people you’d think should be on the network, so I can invite them to join. The working name I’m using is the Conservative Vermont Network. I’ve avoided using words like Liberty, Freedom, and Patriot. They are great words, but because there are already so many organizations using them they all seem to run together.
Once the network is up and running, we can talk about ACTION, which will be the primary mission: letters, presentations, petitions, marches, articles, phone calls, and networking with like-minded organizations. I will also share ideas on issues, agenda, and goals, and welcome your input on the same.
Please email me to be added to the network. Please remember to recommend the network to your conservative friends or colleagues, or send me their email addresses directly. My email is tom@mclinden.net.
A final shout-out to Rob Roper and the Ethan Allen Institute, and Meg Hansen both outspoken leaders for the conservative cause. Linking people and organizations like these will be at the heart of the new network. I hope there will be many.
The author, a Stowe resident, is a letter writer, fund-raiser, presenter, organizer of VT Lt Governor debates 2020, local leader, logo designer for political parties, political website developer, Facebook page manager, former new product innovation specialist and design firm owner.