[pucabear]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Everyone likes to forget that the people are the state government. You (we) elect the representatives. If you don't like it, then you need to a) run for office or b) get active and make your voice heard.

Sitting around complaining does nothing. You said you worked with pregnant teenagers. Did you make sure they understood what they did was wrong or did you just act all accepting so that they can tell their friends there is nothing wrong with teen pregnancy?

I agree with you that the government should have nothing whatsoever to do with families, but we can't say that and at the same time accept it by not fighting the system at every turn.

FYI: I did attempt to get involved with the local government. This is not so easy in a small town with alot of "family tradition". I was definitely on the outside.

As far as the pregnant teenagers...my boss was very clear that I had to be careful about how I addressed this issue. She was more concerned about focusing on safe sex and handing out information/products. This went against every moral fiber in my being.

Part of the issue in Vermont was feeling like I had to constantly be on guard with what I said. This forum is somewhat reflective of that.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Everyone likes to forget that the people are the state government. You (we) elect the representatives. If you don't like it, then you need to a) run for office or b) get active and make your voice heard.

Sitting around complaining does nothing. You said you worked with pregnant teenagers. Did you make sure they understood what they did was wrong or did you just act all accepting so that they can tell their friends there is nothing wrong with teen pregnancy?

I agree with you that the government should have nothing whatsoever to do with families, but we can't say that and at the same time accept it by not fighting the system at every turn.

Lilybeans, You make a great point about the people being the government.

In VT this is even more the case than in most other places, because VT has a part-time citizen legislature, Town Meeting and various other aspects of small-d-democracy which are very easy to participate in.

David Beckett

[arctichomesteader]

I'm half convinced those receiving government benefits (free education, welfare, etc.) should have no vote. They vote in more "benefits" for themselves and tax the living daylights out of everyone else. I've come to see exactly why there were property ownership requirements to vote in the early years of the U.S. in many states.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

I'm half convinced those receiving government benefits (free education, welfare, etc.) should have no vote. They vote in more "benefits" for themselves and tax the living daylights out of everyone else. I've come to see exactly why there were property ownership requirements to vote in the early years of the U.S. in many states.

I'm entirely unconvinced...

Hasn't almost every voter received free education? Few of us go to private school for 12 years. We'd have no voters at all...

You can't really want to make the case that only property owners should be allowed to vote, can you?

I'd be happy to join you at the - "Let's take the vote from the serfs" thread, but perhaps we should let this one revert to it's topic.

[cvap]

It's the weather. Thats why people are leaving Vermont.

[chaz longue]

Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it.
Mark Twain.

Actually, we like to keep the six seasons we have to scare the flatlanders out of moving here ;-)

If we had one fewer Winter month, our population would double and the place would be unrecognizable - we'd be overrun...My house would be worth twice it's price...

(Actually, some of this will likely happen before I'm all through)


David

[NYLIER]

I am one of those Flatlanders so often blamed for everything bad that happens in VT. My husband and I were born and raised on Long Island. It was a lovely place until the local gov't became greedy. Residents of Manhattan started moving to the area. They have developed every little parcel of land without any thought to the impact on the residents or wildlife. To see 100 or more illegal mexicans standing on the street corner waiting for work was common. I couldn't wait to move because it upset me so much to see land that was once so beautiful now irreversibly destroyed. BUT, never did I treat anybody that wasn't a local as mean as the local VTers have treated me. I could have worked in Manhattan and made a lot of money. I chose not to do that but I'm not going to be nasty to the person that worked hard and can afford to buy a bigger house or a better car. Vters seem to be such unhappy people. Please stop blaming Flatlanders and start looking at the people you elect to represent this lovely State. I went to my local Town Meeting and watched the locals belittling a Flatlander for asking the Town to use last years budget. This country is headed for a recession so why are we voting to pay more taxes?! I just don't get it.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by NYLIER

I am one of those Flatlanders so often blamed for everything bad that happens in VT. My husband and I were born and raised on Long Island. It was a lovely place until the local gov't became greedy. Residents of Manhattan started moving to the area. They have developed every little parcel of land without any thought to the impact on the residents or wildlife. To see 100 or more illegal mexicans standing on the street corner waiting for work was common. I couldn't wait to move because it upset me so much to see land that was once so beautiful now irreversibly destroyed. BUT, never did I treat anybody that wasn't a local as mean as the local VTers have treated me. I could have worked in Manhattan and made a lot of money. I chose not to do that but I'm not going to be nasty to the person that worked hard and can afford to buy a bigger house or a better car. Vters seem to be such unhappy people. Please stop blaming Flatlanders and start looking at the people you elect to represent this lovely State. I went to my local Town Meeting and watched the locals belittling a Flatlander for asking the Town to use last years budget. This country is headed for a recession so why are we voting to pay more taxes?! I just don't get it.

There are pretty vast differences between different parts of the State of VT, seems to me.

What town are you referring to?

DB

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

There are pretty vast differences between different parts of the State of VT, seems to me. What town are you referring to?

I'm curious, too. My husband's from CT and I'm from FL. In the Rutland area, a mix of newer and longer-term Vermonters, we've always felt as welcome as anyone else.

I'm really sorry that people have judged and condemned you based on where you're from (or not from). I agree that it makes no sense, that "flatlanders" (anyone not born in VT, I guess?) are blamed for everything when plenty of Vermonters from here and elsewhere share the responsibility for changes.

And after all, no one "owns" Vermont or is more entitled to any part of the earth than anyone else, to say nothing of all the nonhuman animals we share the planet with. There are so many people, some territorial, some wanting more space than others, that sharing is becoming difficult, eh?

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by Sherylcatmom

I. I agree that it makes no sense, that "flatlanders" (anyone not born in VT, I guess?) a

I thought you only lose that designation after 5 generations or so.