We Have Priorities [UPDATED]

by: Caoimhin Laochdha

Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 01:15:00 AM EDT

It is also important to call out divisive and hate generating media advocacy when it rears its ugly head.

Greenvtster makes a good point when he says the Democrats need to prevent the media, or conservatives - but I repeat myself - from defining their agenda as a single issue.

The Times Argus' toxic and divisive poll is a reminder to our legislative leaders that the responsibility to enact priorities carries with it the responsibility to publicly advocate for those priorities. "Leading," it is why we elect them.

The Democrats need to advocate for the policies and priorities needed to help Vermonters protect themselves from an economy that Republican and conservative policies have thoroughly dismantled and run into the fiscal ditch. The economic recovery and sustainability plans, particularly those the Governor and his administration consistently undermine, need to be pushed front and center.

They, and we, also need to advocate against those forces deliberately distorting the agenda our legislative leaders are pushing on our behalf. Do not shy from calling out partisans in the media. Do not shy away from those conservatives who are fighting social justice or any other group that is distracting from a badly needed progressive legislative agenda.

. . . UPDATED down under . .

One Sentence - One Syllable - One Second

by: Caoimhin Laochdha

Sat Dec 06, 2008 at 05:00:00 AM EST

Here it comes.  The trolls are coming out of the closet to lament how the General Assembly, in this coming 2009 session, will not have no time to pass a law giving equal marriage rights to all Vermonters.

The chorus is chiming in and the preemptive song is that the General Assembly will be legislating 24/7 and Eight.Days.A.Week to get a handle on all the policy problems -- social, fiscal, legal, economic, regulatory,environmental, health care, educational etc. ad nauseam that are gripping our State. Last I heard it was the Republicans and conservatives who tanked the economy - the same people who are so concerned (at the mention of marriage equality) that only the economy should have our attention.

But does that mean that justice necessarily goes on the back burner?

Here is the deal folks: One sentence of Vermont law needs to be changed. One syllable ("All those in favor . . . "AYE") needs to be uttered on the floor of the House and Senate; AND the Governor needs to take just one measly second to sign his James Douglas Hancock to the legislation. Then it's done. It's a big deal, it's important, it's a huge step, but it doesn't have to be any more complicated than that. The work is already done, we know the problem, we have the solution. Let's get it done.

Say it with me --

One Sentence  *  One Syllable *  One Second

One Sentence in Title 15 of the Vermont Code to fix. Just one.  One Syllable to utter. Just one.  One Second to put pen to paper. Just one.  That is all it will take to end marital inequality in Vermont.

(there' more, about how little it takes, on the flip)