To the editor:
I no longer expect anything close to professional journalism from the Daily Chronicle. I acknowledge that you have the right of free speech, so you are free to lie about me or misrepresent me if you wish, as you have done in this instance:
“To quote Progressive Representative Brian Cina’s call last year, “Madam Speaker: Read my lips, yes, new taxes…!” That’s their opinion.”
That is definitely NOT my opinion. And you know that you are chopping up my words to lie about my opinion, because we have been through this before.
But how would you feel if people lied about you and misrepresented your position by taking your words out of context? For example, what if I posted this:
To quote Republican so-called journalist Rob Roper “we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on Global Warming Solutions Act projects ….we should backfill any of that with state tax revenue…” That’s his opinion! Instead we should re-evaluate both our spending priorities and our taxation policies.
Respectfully, I ask that if you are going to quote me, that you quote me correctly and not take words out of context. For the record, I do not support new taxes for everyone. And you know this.
–Rep. Brian Cina (P-Burlington)
Editor’s note: At VDC’s request, Cina forwarded from the House Journal his statements made on the House floor: Rep. Cina of Burlington explained his vote as follows: Madam Speaker: Read my lips, yes, new taxes on corporations, so that Vermont can take this important step forward toward guaranteeing the human right of health care to all Vermonters.”