(Bumped. Also see Vermonster’s recommended diary. Bulk of content moved below the fold.   – promoted by kestrel9000)

by Dan DeWalt

Its time for Vermonters to draw the wagons into a circle.  Aided and abetted by the NRC, Entergy Nuclear of Louisiana is trying to crush state sovereignty in the federal courts. Salivating in the wings, Monsanto is now threatening to sue the state because House bill H722 calls for honest labeling of genetically modified (mutated) food. The legislative leadership is faltering and Monsanto’s bullying threats may prevent the bill from getting to the governor’s desk.

This Saturday, April 14, from 12-2, Governor Shumlin, Senator Sanders, Attorney General Sorrel, along with other legislators and representatives of citizen groups, will be joining with Vermonters at the Brattleboro Commons to declare our solidarity as a state and to make it clear that we will only increase the pressure on Entergy to shut down VY before an accident shuts it down for us. The people have already shown their support for the state on the first day that Entergy operated VY without its license. Now our government representatives will be joining us to show America that Vermont stands united and will not back down in the face of corporate intimidation. This is not a struggle of activists or malcontents. This is no less than an existential struggle for the right of states to govern themselves.

Corporations are used to throwing their weight around using vehicles like the WTO, GATT or NAFTA, to decimate environmental, labor and health/safety laws in underdeveloped countries. Now they want to do the same to us. Vermont, with its long history of true democracy, clear thinking, pragmatic idealism and community values poses a threat to the juggernaut of profit-making at all costs which has become the norm (along with extreme weather events) marking our brave new world: government of, by and for the corporations. If Vermont successfully saves itself from the hazards of nuclear pollution, if we become the first state in the nation to label GMO foods, we would pose a threat to more than just the profits of particular enterprises. Across the country, from Progressives to Tea Party groups, Americans are sick of the self serving plunder-fest that the 1% try to pawn off as a viable economy. Successful actions in Vermont could trigger something much bigger. The power elites will stop at nothing to crush this resistance to their unbridled power.

The governor’s participation is a strong sign of his continued leadership in this struggle. It is also an acknowledgment of the hard work that citizens have done independently of state actions. He and the other elected officials know that only by a highly visible unified effort, combining the legal system, legislative action and citizen actions, can we hope to prevail against the threat we now face.

Under the Statehouse dome last Monday morning,  the governor addressed a conference of high school students who want to make a difference in the world. He frankly laid out the failures of our current generation of leaders (himself included) to realistically assess and address the threat of climate change. He outlined the new thinking that will be necessary for us to develop a strong local economy that promotes local foods, local businesses and a green energy future.  He challenged them to join him in taking the initiative and welcomed the leadership role that their generation will have to play.

In the meantime, our work must continue. Saturday’s rally is an embodiment of the efforts of citizens to create a vision of a Vermont that no longer allows corporate America to dictate the terms of our lives, safety and future. We have to create a new paradigm that controls how we are governed. We have to craft a way that our government, backed by the indomitable will and muscle of the masses, can exercise its sovereignty in spite of federal meddling on behalf of the corporate and financial sectors. We have to let abominations like Monsanto and Entergy understand that no amount of bullying or intimidation will stop us from passing laws that act in the interest of Vermonters. And if the legal system undermines our rights, we the people will follow the example of Ethan Allen (as engraved in marble in the halls of the Statehouse) and resist by all means necessary until the Constitutional powers of the state have been restored.

Bernie’s voice will also be welcomed at the rally. But as well as appreciating his words of support, why not press him to use congressional power to help the cause? Congress gave the NRC its mandate. Over time, the NRC has shown itself to be a cheerleader, not a regulator. Why not demand that Congress revisit the NRC mandate? Why not demand that safety be acknowledged as a legitimate concern of states and citizens? Why not hold hearings forcing the NRC to justify some of its most astounding rulings that have benefitted the nuclear industry to the detriment of citizens? Our state legislature may be momentarily stymied by the power of Entergy, Monsanto and others, but there is no excuse for Bernie, Peter Welch or Patrick Leahy not to be acting on Vermont’s behalf in Washington D.C. right now.  President Obama’s nuclear policies have been influenced by the political contributions of the nuclear industry. That doesn’t mean that Welch and Leahy need to remain silent team players while their state is twisting in the wind.

Although we have done great work in the last few years to support the state of Vermont, this is no time to rest on any laurels. It is time to increase the pressure on all fronts. On Saturday you can show your appreciation of our representatives while making it clear to them that their (and our) work has only begun.