[BickleTravis]

Originally Posted by MRVphotog

I too will not be voting in the governor race, don't like either candidate. The person I liked also lost in the primary. She's short on statue but tall on her ethics and ability to lead.

You mean carpetbagger Deb? Don't know anyone who has met the woman and has anything good to say about her.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by BickleTravis

You mean carpetbagger Deb? Don't know anyone who has met the woman and has anything good to say about her.

I seem to recall her using her office to attack the VT secession movement in an opinion piece on a state owned website.

[BickleTravis]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

I seem to recall her using her office to attack the VT secession movement in an opinion piece on a state owned website.

Don't agree with using office to do anything political, do agree that the VT secession movement is insane, although it would be funny to watch the Air Force use the Green Mountain State as a bomb testing ground.

[Anon_vt1]

Originally Posted by sugarmaple

A 'hot topic/controversial issue' which is an integral component with the campaign issues with both candidates is 'women's reproductive rights' -- without, once again getting into a debate/dialogue re: pro-choice, or not, I do think it is important to clarify what women's reproductive rights means - this is the umbrella- it includes birth control measures, the right to consider birth control measures, women's health [including sex] education, etc. It is not only a pro-choice decision/right. Hopefully this explanation can help to mitigate/negate any potential debate/argument.

I think this topic is what is so dismally depressing about Vermont politics today. All we can talk about are "big picture" issues on which the Governor and/or state level government have little or no practical broad impact. This is true of all political strips and pretty much for the last 15 years or so.

Pick any issue from the following list, it should be the topic of the day: budget gaps, lack of jobs, high cost of living, out flow of young people from the state, an overstaffed education system, a crumbling infrastructure. When I was a kid, the budget being a sea of red was an out and out crisis. We talked of practically nothing else at the state level. I miss that Vermont.

But by all means, continue to talk about hot button emotional issues that have practically zero to do with what it takes to run a small mountainous state with one of the smallest and oldest populations in the union. Rome hasn't quite finished burning down yet.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by BickleTravis

Don't agree with using office to do anything political, do agree that the VT secession movement is insane, although it would be funny to watch the Air Force use the Green Mountain State as a bomb testing ground.

I doubt there'd be any war if VT seceded. Alaska, maybe, VT, no.

Maybe secession sounds insane, but the federal government already is insane these days, almost making VT look sane.

I still want the NEK to secede from VT...

[BickleTravis]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

I doubt there'd be any war if VT seceded. Alaska, maybe, VT, no.

Maybe secession sounds insane, but the federal government already is insane these days, almost making VT look sane.

I still want the NEK to secede from VT...

No state willingly gives up territory. It sets a bad precedent.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by BickleTravis

No state willingly gives up territory. It sets a bad precedent.

No but it can be cornered into it. It happened in VA (VA-WV split, which was years in the making), and ME (which was part of MA).

[vter]

Um folks? Lets keep this on topic please. Discuss the Governor Race...not secession. Thank you.

[sugarmaple]

Has anyone had the opportunity to attend any of the debates? I did attend the one, prior to the primary, in Ludlow....has anyone contacted/e-mailed either candidate with questions, etc. and if so, have you had any responses from them? I emailed Dubie's camp when the attack came out re: financial disclosure re: troopers and the nonsense that went with that attack as I felt it was not only not the issue [i.e., individuals who are supporting Dubie who gave up their time to do so and ended up getting paid] - in my email to Dubie's campaign, I commented that I thought that attack really negated the time and effort of all volunteers, regardless of which side they are volunteering - all volunteers have values, many work too and have given up their time and how do you put a price tag/financial disclosure on that.

I was disappointed that I did not receive any response.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by sugarmaple

Has anyone had the opportunity to attend any of the debates? I did attend the one, prior to the primary, in Ludlow....has anyone contacted/e-mailed either candidate with questions, etc. and if so, have you had any responses from them? I emailed Dubie's camp when the attack came out re: financial disclosure re: troopers and the nonsense that went with that attack as I felt it was not only not the issue [i.e., individuals who are supporting Dubie who gave up their time to do so and ended up getting paid] - in my email to Dubie's campaign, I commented that I thought that attack really negated the time and effort of all volunteers, regardless of which side they are volunteering - all volunteers have values, many work too and have given up their time and how do you put a price tag/financial disclosure on that.

I was disappointed that I did not receive any response.

Might of been how you worded it (i.e., they figured you already had your mind made up, or were working for the Dems, etc.), or it simply got buried. Did you email shumlin over the wooden nose ad attacking Dubie? As it is, the info that came out eventually on the trooper issue shows some level of corruption on the part of the union man who endorsed shumlin.

I've emailed Dubie's campaign with questions and got an answer. I imagine they're inundated with questions at that.