The five declared candidates for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Congress (clockwise from left) – Molly Gray, Louis Meyers, Becca Balint, Kesha Ram-Hinsdale and (below) Sianay Chase Clifford.
by Joe Patrissi
When Louis Meyers knocked on my door and asked for my wife and I to sign a petition supporting him for congress, we began a conversation that we’re still having these many days later. Louis, a doctor of many years, a former policeman and social worker, reminds me a little bit of the protagonist in the movie, ‘Mr Smith Goes To Washington’. Although not as naively idealistic as Mr Smith was in the movie, Louis is honest, and so not a career politician. He would fight against corrupt politicians just like the character in the movie did.
He is a moderate. He is a pragmatist. He is a man of principle.
In his experience as a doctor, he has a graphic understanding of community needs in Vermont that are the underlying contributors to community and individual health outcomes including housing, substance abuse, employment, domestic abuse, crime, isolation, etc. He will be a voice of reason and integrity. He will use his voice to help Vermonters achieve prosperity in health as well as the economy. And protect our environment, and the safety and security of our state and country.
I watched the debate hosted by VTDigger on April 13th that included Molly Gray, Becca Balint, Kesha Ram Hinsdale and Sianay Chase Clifford.
When the debate was announced, I asked Paul Heintz, editor, why Louis wasn’t included. He wrote that Digger ‘couldn’t accommodate’ Louis. When pressed what the accommodation barrier was, no response was given. I then asked the four invited candidates to advocate for the inclusion of Louis. Deafening silence.
That VTDigger couldn’t pass the smell test with a reason to exclude Louis (who was announced as a candidate in Digger) was disappointing. Here, a debate for public consumption, hosted by a well regarded journalistic pursuer of truth, excluded an important voice seemingly arbitrarily. Inclusion, not exclusion is supposed to be a value of democracy.
Even more disappointing were the invitees. When pressed to advocate for, that’s right, inclusion, of another candidate, nothing. Not a word.
I thought Democrats stood for the value of inclusion. Inclusion and diversity. If they do, they must demonstrate it. They didn’t.
I have concluded long ago that you only really know people but what they do, not by what they say. That’s one of the big reasons I’m supporting Louis Meyers over the other candidates.