Vermont Democrats sound the alarm, “we risk losing every ounce of progress”
by Kolby LaMarche
On June 16 of this year, I received a startling email. “Must I live with constant fear and trauma for the rest of my life?” the subject read.
I had initially been concerned; it all sounded a bit mentally unstable.
To my great relief, it was Emily Bower, now-former Communications Director from the Vermont Democratic Party.
Bower went on, saying “The constant threat of gun violence has defined the majority of my life.” She continued, writing “The fear that leaving my house might result in tragedy weighs on me, as I know it weighs on countless others.”
As someone who has written fundraising emails, I understand the use of urgency and hyperbole. That’s a given, in moderation. But Vermont Democrats have taken fear-mongering to a whole new level. Here is a sample:
October 30, “MAGA extremists and their special-interest donors are expected to out-raise Democrats in the 2024 election cycle. We have to keep them at bay here in VT.”
August 15, “Without the support of grassroots donors, we may not have the resources to defeat MAGA Republicans up and down the ballot next year.”
May 23, “Phil Scott deliberately screwed up expanding paid family leave for all Vermonters – failing to address the struggles of vulnerable communities living paycheck to paycheck…donate just $5 to fight back against Phil Scott’s heartless extremism.
April 23, “The creeping extremism of the right poses a bigger threat every day. Now is not the time to take a step back…we risk losing every ounce of progress we have made for VT.”
On May 26, 2023, Burlington Councilor Joan Shannon, now mayoral hopeful, had had enough. VDP’s attack on Phil Scott had, rightly, gone too far for her. “Dear VDP, please stop embarrassing me and other Democrats,” Shannon wrote, “we can present a positive vision and do not need to vilify those with whom we disagree.”
The Vermont Democrat’s belief in fearmongering about MAGA Republicans winning enough elections in Vermont to reverse their “progress” is absurd.
And as far as their “we have to keep [MAGA] money at bay”, really?
As the Democrats like saying, let’s be clear: In their July financial filings, the Vermont Republican Party had raised $37,558.44. The Vermont Democrats raised $73,236.90, not to mention Saint Patrick Leahy’s coffers and that of many other Democrat powerbrokers.
The Democrat’s approach to fundraising is nothing but a dated rehash of the post-2016 playbook, a tired and uninspiring tactic that reeks of desperation and a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
They’ve resorted to lying to Vermonters to make a quick buck and use a shock-and-awe technique, trying to wrongly convince Vermonters that their beloved state might fall into the hands of MAGA Republicans. And, unfortunately, it works on some.
For a party that prides itself on progress, its approach is not only disingenuous, it’s abusive and anti-progress.
Burning Sky is dedicated to providing critique and commentary on the issues of the day from an unapologetic perspective, fueling change in the heart of Vermont. Authored by Kolby LaMarche every Saturday.