Why won’t Congress stop China?

To the editor:

FBI Director Gray identifies China as the biggest threat to our National Security. Economic espionage, intellectual property theft, bribery and blackmail are some actions they’re using to overtake us. Gordon Chang reports China is declaring war on American people and destroying our society.

There’s ample evidence to support Gray’s and Chang’s conclusions. The Chinese have invested billions acquiring our real estate, agricultural land, corporations and food processing plants.  Critical agricultural fertilizer used for our food supply is controlled by China. Solar technology stolen from the US is now a monopolized market out of China. Critical precious metals are controlled by China and they have re-engineered our technical achievements for military and competitive purposes.

China is influencing University and high school content. They spend millions on R&D and loyal academics receive payment for allegiance. Black Lives Matter and Critical Race Theory are supported by China to create culture division and the Chinese indoctrinate us via Tik Toc. China sources and controls our pharmaceuticals and supplies Fentanyl responsible for 100,000 deaths. Their Wuhan virus has killed 800,000 Americans.

Staff members of Pelosi, Feinstein and Swalwell have China ties. McConnell’s father-in-law is the largest shipping czar in China and 23 former members of Congress are lobbyists for China.    Congress must hold China accountable, stem the flow of our assets, protect our way of life and treat China as the threat who will do anything to achieve their goal for world control.

Frank Mazur

The author, a South Burlington resident, is a former lawmaker for South Burlington. 

League of Women Voters backs Ranked Choice Voting bill

To the editor:

The League of Women Voters of Vermont (LWVVT) supports Senate bill S.229, now before the Senate Committee on Government Operations. This bill proposes to require the use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) for the primary and general elections for U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative, and general elections for President and Vice-President.

In Vermont today, a political candidate does not need to have a majority of the votes to win.  They just need to receive more votes than anyone else. Elections that require a majority can lead to an expensive runoff, usually with a drop in turnout.

RCV is a method of voting that results in a majority winner in a single election, no matter how many candidates are running. It allows voters to rank the candidates in order of preference; if no candidate has a majority in the first count, the candidate with the fewest votes is dropped. The votes of those who voted for that candidate are transferred to their second choice candidate.  This process is repeated until one candidate has a majority.  

With plurality voting, we have the “spoiler” effect.  With this, voting for the favorite candidate might lead to both their first and second choice candidates losing, and their least favorite candidate winning. With RCV, you don’t hurt your second choice candidate by voting your true preference first.  

For all of these reasons and more, the LWVVT urges support of S.229, so Vermont can continue its tradition of expanding democratic opportunities for our electorate.

Sue Racanelli

The author, an East Montpelier resident, is president of the League of Women Voters of Vermont