( – promoted by Sue Prent)
As a Progressive, I was somewhat shocked by Franklin County Republican chair Steve Trahan’s recent discussion with a group of Republican college students , ( St.Albans Messenger, 11/19/13 ). He noted that when they were asked what changes were needed for our country, they replied first and foremost with the need to disconnect government from corporations, get money out of politics and to curb the military industrial complex as it is taking authority away from the American people. These are the same things that U.S. Congressman Bernie Sanders and the Vermont Progressive Party have been saying for the last 25 years, in contrast to the Republican Party in Washington, who have been fighting tooth and nail to do just the opposite.
These young Republican college students have grown up with the realities of Republican policies. They have seen for themselves that tax breaks for the rich, corporate welfare and allowing money to rule politics has only made the rich become obscenely rich, while the middle class has struggled with flattening wages over the last 30 years. These policies have brought constant war, and dimmed their own hopes for the future, as the income gap between the extremely rich ( with all their money and influence ) and the rest of the American people has become greater than anywhere else in the world. The youth of this country can no longer believe they have the same chance at ” the American dream ” as preceding generations have had.
The Democrats also go along with these policies while paying lip service to the middle class and poor, but in the end, they take the same corporate and special interest money and nothing changes. We need a new party in this country, one that does not embrace corporate lobbyists or accept their money and who will fight for the 99% of us who struggle and work hard for our families and for a just society. Vermont is the only state in the union with such an established third party. It is called the Vermont Progressive Party (www.vtprogressiveparty.org) and has been thriving for decades with elected representatives in Montpelier. The time is right for this party to grow in America.
It is remarkable that these young Republicans are not just quoting the same old tired Republican talking points. They see that corporate dominance of the government needs to end, they see that money needs to be removed from politics and that the military industrial complex that is bleeding the country dry in terms of blood and treasure needs to be sharply curtailed. Mr. Trahan, you say that you are “awestruck, impressed and filled with hope and a great deal of pride” for these young Republicans, as well you should be. My question is, “Do you agree with them on these three points?” Your party bosses in Washington certainly do not. Please reply.
It is indeed interesting that the only way the state Republican Party can woo young voters is to embrace reforms that are anathema to the national party.
If the national Republican circus maintains its current trajectory through the 2016 elections, it’s hard to imagine very many Vermonters identifying with that mess.
Perhaps this foreshadows the rise of yet another Vermont party in the not too distant future; a center right party that hews closer to the Pre-Reagan Republican party?
The Sanka Party, perhaps?
It is ironic that “Republican Youth” in Franklin County, Vermont, are saying these things that their national party would never be caught dead saying for fear of a tea party backlash. It is ironic considering that the Republican Party is the one responsible for destroying this so-called “American Dream,” in the name of a few more dollars in the pockets of less and less people. Still, perhaps, this is progress, yet, it is not enough. It would be interesting if Trahan does reply.
I too would like to see the progressive party grow throughout the land. I would at least like them to be the new minority party in Montpelier, even the majority if that ever could happen. It is long past time. I would love to see a progressive governor here in Vermont. It can happen.
Crickets…