[sevdie]

You don't have to give me your personal view, I am just curious as to the overall general political view of Burlington. Forgive my ignorance, but I would love to hear from people who live there rather than just read up on this type of thing or guess. Thanks!

[vter]

Very liberal/progressive

[sevdie]

Thanks for your response.

[chaz longue]

Sevdie -

Actually - none of the choices in the poll really tell the story. In Vermont, Democrats are only one kind of liberal - there's another kind.

Our recently elected Mayor is not a Democrat or a Republican, but a member of The Progressive Party. The city Council in Burlington now has 6 Democrats, 4 Progressives, 2 Republicans and 2 independents. Voters here actually turn out and vote with greater frequency than the national rate.

I can shed some light on this question with a brief story.

Vermont has one representative in the US Congress. His name is Bernard Sanders. I think he'd be described accurately as a democratic socialist. Leftists, greens, farmers and labor/trade unionists tend to support him, those on the right (people who voted for Bush for instance) don't. At one time, Sanders was best known as the author of a biography of Eugene V Debs, an avowed socialist who ran for president of the USA from a jail cell. Then in 1981, Sanders (after many years of political organizing) was elected Mayor of Burlington VT. By a dozen votes or so. Then he was re-elected, but by a far far larger margin. Then he ran for US Congress and won. He's been our representative to the US congress for quite a while. Even those who oppose him will grant that he's a very hard worker, and consistantly stands up for Veterans, the elderly, and farmers. He was advocating a "Canadian Style Single Payer" health care system for 15 years or more. His detractors often say he "wants the government running healthcare", or "favors socialized medicine". He's now running for the Senate seat recently vacated by Jim Jeffords. He lives in Burlington and is very very popular here.

VT actually has functioning, organized third party. This is extremely rare in the USA as you know.

[sevdie]

That clears it up for me. Thanks!

[Georgia]

Vermont! My favorite state. Used to part of my territory for 5 years so I spent many a night at the Hampton Inn, right off 89

Now coming from a very traditional Republican (not the current Bush Republicrat type) I find the folks in Vermont the best around.

Yep! Liberal and Progressive. Much like the Teddy Roosevelt type, not the Hillary Clinton type. A tend to your business, take care of your own, but assist others in true need. One negative is the horrid Democrat virture of outrageous taxes. Income tax can exceed 9%, on of the highest in the nation. Then again, Howard Dean gave Vermont that gift. They used to have a flat percentage tax.

If my wife would move to the tundra, I would be a Vermonter in a heartbeat. Though I would make my home in Rutland or Mountpelier.

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

Sevdie -

Actually - none of the choices in the poll really tell the story. In Vermont, Democrats are only one kind of liberal - there's another kind.

Our recently elected Mayor is not a Democrat or a Republican, but a member of The Progressive Party. The city Council in Burlington now has 6 Democrats, 4 Progressives, 2 Republicans and 2 independents. Voters here actually turn out and vote with greater frequency than the national rate.

I can shed some light on this question with a brief story.

Vermont has one representative in the US Congress. His name is Bernard Sanders. I think he'd be described accurately as a democratic socialist. Leftists, greens, farmers and labor/trade unionists tend to support him, those on the right (people who voted for Bush for instance) don't. At one time, Sanders was best known as the author of a biography of Eugene V Debs, an avowed socialist who ran for president of the USA from a jail cell. Then in 1981, Sanders (after many years of political organizing) was elected Mayor of Burlington VT. By a dozen votes or so. Then he was re-elected, but by a far far larger margin. Then he ran for US Congress and won. He's been our representative to the US congress for quite a while. Even those who oppose him will grant that he's a very hard worker, and consistantly stands up for Veterans, the elderly, and farmers. He was advocating a "Canadian Style Single Payer" health care system for 15 years or more. His detractors often say he "wants the government running healthcare", or "favors socialized medicine". He's now running for the Senate seat recently vacated by Jim Jeffords. He lives in Burlington and is very very popular here.

VT actually has functioning, organized third party. This is extremely rare in the USA as you know.

Ahh yes. Ole Commie Bernie.
Yep, he is probably one of the most left wing fellas that served in congress. Then again, by todays standard in the DNC, he would probably be a conservative.
One thing about Bernie, I had the opportunity to meet him in downtown Burlington. We were just sitting in a pub (forgot the name, on the corner) and he just strolled in and sat down for a sandwich.
I compare him to Byrd. I guy who's politics I don't agree with but he has character and standards. Unlike many of the beaucrats (ie Hillary) today.

[sevdie]

You guys are a riot! I love reading these posts. You never know, maybe your wife will come around one day and head for the tundra

ChazLounge,
I will see you in October!

[LifeLongLearner]

One thing I love about Vermont political temp around here is that I have always been encouraged to learn, learn, learn. My son was able to walk into a political office at the age of seven without an appointment, and talk to the politcian himself. You can see people out and about acting on what they believe in, which is what I am teaching to my children. If it is a protest I have almost always found someone feeling just the oppisite way right across the street being able to say thier feelings as openly and loudly as well.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

He was advocating a "Canadian Style Single Payer" health care system for 15 years or more. His detractors often say he "wants the government running healthcare", or "favors socialized medicine".

Well, after 40 years of big corporations running health care, I say it's time we let someone else have a turn. Good for Bernie, I say.