HEARING NEW-TOLD LIES

Wherever we turn, we read about the veto-proof legislature. Today, this is just an opinion, not a fact. The speaker, who with the cooperation of all her members, and all the Progressive members, and the independent member, and if all are present, will have a veto-proof chamber. That is a difficult trick.

The speaker has committee chairs to assign, via the moral and intellectual high ground or via the political road. But, as one wag told DPR, there are only fifteen committee chairs; every member needs a bridge.

Governor Douglas has been working the Montpelier trade since most Vermonters were in short pants. He is hardly a potted plant. He is a very knowledgeable and sophisticated political player.

The press does the voter an injustice and the member a disservice by constantly repeating the myth of the veto-proof legislature. This may discourage many a participant and turn arrogant many a member.

THE KING HAS RETURNED

Freshman Senator-elect and Senate Pro Tem-elect Peter Shumlim, D-Windham, has returned with aplomb. Easily winning his seat in the recent election, Shumlin returns from his fall from grace four years ago, running his ship on the rocks during runs for congress, governor and lieutenant governor, to power.

His victory over favored Senator John Campbell, D-Windsor, was reportedly by a single vote, an eleventh hour transfer of affection accounting for Shumlin's victory. When committee assignments are made, confirmation of the trading reports might be made clear.

DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO

Shumlin was invited to speak to freshman legislators at the Vermont Issues Forum. Shumlin was going down a list of do's and don'ts when he said, "Whatever you do, keep you word."

Spontaneous laughter ensued. Shumlin is known by those who ply the corridors of the Capitol to be many things, but honest is not one of them. That is why many shook their heads upon learning that Shumlin had beaten out Campbell for the job.

ATTACK DOG

If you believe the press reports, Shumlin carried the day as his peers wanted an "experienced, polished, aggressive" spokesman to duel for media face time with Governor Douglas. The Rutland Herald chides Shumlim about his taking an "aggressively partisan tone" or acting as a "political firebrand."

We doubt that ambition has cooled in Shumlin's soul during his four year exile from Montpelier. We are almost in a replacement year. Surely, Governor Douglas will have to do better than championing school spending caps, civil commitment, and opportunity scholarships if he thinks that he will win reelection in 2008. The four year term bandwagon has years to march, perhaps a decade; that will not save him. He has spent thirty-five years marching to the fifth floor; he best generate some creative ideas on what to do. So far, if they exist, he has kept them to himself. Tune into his inaugural address to hear the good news.

IT AIN'T OVER, IT IS NEVER OVER

"Douglas, Democractics (whatever they are) are on collision course." This Times Argus headline, forgetting for the moment the lack of proofreading by new editor Sue Allen, does not have it quite right. The collision will not be a collision of ideas but a collision of ambitions; the race for governor starts today.

Clearly, Speaker Symington and Senate pro tem Shumlin wish to ascend. Then there is the long time waiter in the wings in chief Sorrell. And all those other wannabes. The potential problem of course is not making progress on the issues.

IT IS THE PROPERTY TAX STUPID

The priority issue all agree is reducing the impact of the property tax on households across Vermont. There are however no consensus ideas on how to do that. The Democrats always need more money, so they will go in search of another tax to create or boost; the income tax probably. Jim Douglas will say, veto. And they are off.

We recall Chairwoman Fox a few years back saying, "I am doing all I can to accommodate all the requests from the advocates." Another representative told DPR, "We are treated like royalty here."

Great, for them. But who is representing us? In fact, nobody. Once in Montpelier, all that changes; pressures from lobbyists, advocates, chairmen, and the Speaker overwhelm most good intentions and we are forgotten.

For example, what about the burden of the property tax? They will not look to reduces taxes, but shift taxes. If taxes are crushingly high, why not reduce them? What would the Next Generation Commission say about this?

AND WE ARE OFF

Douglas would be wise to keep his cards close to his vest, and not announce his reelection intentions until the spring of 2008. He does not want to be a lame duck, now or next term. Yet if he runs once again and wins, he will be an immediate lame duck as nobody will believe that he will run again in 2010. Working against constant opposition will not be fun.

At one point, Douglas had planned on two four-year terms as we were told, four two-year terms actually. If Leahy stepped down in 2010, perhaps Douglas would run for the senate. Leahy however is that energizer bunny who just keeps ticking. He and the post have morphed; they are one. With the Democrats in ascendancy, his chairmanship for life, and microphones and cameras at the ready, it is doubtful Leahy will step down.

But for Douglas, familiarity breeds contempt; staying too long will not be fun. The witches' brew of unsustainability will catch up to state government. It will not be pretty. Perhaps the inevitable crash date has just been extended with the Democratic delegation sweep; state coffers should expect a flood of unearned income from them.

Here are Dean's reelect numbers for his last three elections: seventy percent, fifty-five, fifty. You fall fast if you linger. Douglas' last two elections are fifty-nine percent and fifty-six. The next will be lower.

SCUDDER WINS

Scudder Parker bettered Peter Clavelle by almost eight percent. In 2004 Clavelle was mayor of one the best small cities in the country. Clavelle, for some reason, decided not to campaign on what he had done for Burlington. Perhaps, as the wheels were coming off the city's treasurer's office, he decided to mix it up with Governor Douglas.

TREES FOR AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE

Been skiing lately? Looked out over the hills and valleys from atop Killington? What do you see? Trees, trees and more trees. Wilderness forever. Yet forever is not enough.

More wilderness is needed and has been added. Watch for even more. Editorials abound with praise and glory. The Free Press wrote, "If we don't protect our wilderness now, it will be gone." Gone to whom, for what? Building is prohibited on high land, low land, wetland, steep land, landlocked land, land near polluted streams, farmland, and view shed land. It is hard to believe that the wilderness will ever be gone.

The Valley News wrote, that "seventy percent of Vermonters support more wilderness." What were the questions in that poll? We bet that they were puffery. Supposed the poll questions were about the willingness to pay higher property taxes, to throw your woodsmen neighbors out of work, to shut down saw mills, and to close wood manufacturing businesses? Bet folks might have had a different answer.

Those opposed to additional wilderness were described in a letter to the Rutland Herald by Ted Williams, conservation editor for Fly, Rod and Reel, "Vermont is blighted by an ugly, backward contingent of property-rights extremists who call themselves sportsmen but who aren't willing to use the two most important pieces of outdoor equipment --feet. The nasty minority is led by the Vermont Traditions Coalition, Hunters, Anglers and Trappers of Vermont, and James Ehlers, editor of Outdoors Magazine, an embarrassing, semi-literate, hook-and-bullet rag that can be counted on to be on the wrong side of every environmental issue."

ENDANGERED SPECIES WATCH

"Vermont's Endangered Species Committee will hold their annual fall meeting on Thursday, December 7, in Waterbury to discuss listing, monitoring, management, recovery planning, and permitting of endangered and threatened species. The meeting will be in the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Conference Room."

The most endangered species in Vermont, almost extinct, is the Vermonter. He/she was probably not on the agenda.

SIGNS OF HOPE

The Secretary of State hosts the Kids' Page, state and election "stuff" as it is called. In the recent vote by students, Martha Rainville beat Peter Welch forty-six percent to thirty-nine in a reversal of the eight point victory for Welch in the adult contest.

Children in some towns showed overwhelming maturity: Craftsbury Academy sixty-three percent for Rainville, Westford Elementary sixty percent for Rainville, Sheldon Elementary seventy-five percent for Rainville, Williston Central School fifty-nine percent for Rainville, Burlington's Mater Christie School sixty-six percent for Rainville, Colchester High School fifty-three percent for Rainville, and South Hero's Folsom School fifty-five percent for Rainville.

Go to: www.vermontvotesforkids.com

THE PROMISE

One of Peter Welch's promises was to take care of the economy. He spoke of how as Senate pro tem he had worked for permit reform and workmen's compensation insurance reform. The permit reform did almost nothing to really help the permit process; workmen's compensation reform was geared at slowing the double digit increases in premium expense.

In the San Francisco Chronicle, the headline read "Workers' compensation savings are cheered." The article went on, "California has pulled off a stunning overhaul of its worker's compensation systems that has driven premiums down roughly sixty percent since 2003 and has saved employers about $14,000,000,000 each year..."

That is reform, not the tepid "slowing the increase" stuff of Welch's promise. That is what competition is about. And where is Vermont in workman's comp competition when encouraging a new or expanding business? At a distinct disadvantage to a state that takes competition seriously. What would the Next Generation Commission say about this?

SEND ME IN, COACH

Kids yearn for competition. Teachers and school officials it seems do not. The following is from a recent Randolph Union High School meeting appearing in the Herald: "It was noted that the trend in schools is to de-emphasize academic competition."

Just last month, the Burlington Free Press reveled in three area students' selection as Rhodes Scholars. Gee, there must have been some competition for those thirty-two awards across the country, or for Fulbright, Eisenhower, or National Merit Scholarships. Maybe not though, competition is bad.

We read a few years back that there was a movement to eliminate the score in kid's basketball games as keeping score almost always produces a loser whose feelings would then be hurt. Let's make doing well illegal, achievement a crime, let's all slip to the lowest common denominator so that no one's feelings are hurt. What would the Next Generation Commission say about this?

IN THE END, THEY DID AWAY WITH THE BEGINNING

Bethel has a new bridge. Church Street Bridge no less. Men and women of the cloth gathered to bless the bridge and "ask that all our crossings be safe."

Selectpeople, the highway department, and fire department boycotted the event. They were praised in editorials, who asked, "Where would that leave the Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, pagans, and atheists?" We expect all of them would have been welcome, but that begs the question: who are we?

Some of you may recall the beginning:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Some of you may have viewed our currency, metal or paper:

"In God we trust."

Some of you may have recently pledged allegiance:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Would the editorialists have us remove such references as well? We wish not to offend.

PEACE LOVE AND TIE DYE

According to a story in the Barton Chronicle, voters in Irasburg on November 21st decisively voted down a $6,400,000 school improvement project eighty-four percent to sixteen. How could the school board be so out of touch with the community?

The school's building, a product of the 70's, is full of open classrooms where kids should not feel enclosed or shut up, but free to love, wander mentally, and create the new age life. But over time, this philosophy aged and "open" turned into being unfocused, unstructured, and undisciplined.

Irasburg does not have shrinking enrollment. The school needed walls and improvements. But the citizens' pockets had already been picked. What would the Next Generation Commission say about this?

WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY

According to the Stowe Reporter, there will be no more weddings at the "bucolic Peterson Brook Farm." A neighbor, Peter Fisher, spoke, "All the distractions are not part of what we see for our area." Zoning officials listened. Owner Bob Barnes had approval for weddings but it expired last year and will not be renewed. So much love and happiness taking place close to the Fischers a couple times a year was just too much. What would the Next Generation Commission say about this?

WALDO THE CHAMPION

Who would have guessed, that Howard Dean would be the champion? With the rabbit's foot firmly in his pocket, he rose from being a mediocre legislator to lieutenant governor. As wags said, "At least he can't screw things up there." Then to governor on the untimely death of Richard Snelling, then to the unlikely presidential front runner based on his clear anti-war position, and now to the accidental chair of the Democratic National Committee. He ran not knowing what else to do.

Now the "boys", the James (Carville) and others called him "Rumsfeldian." Who knew there was such a word. Well, the James can go pound sand; he does not even have a vote. And those who do, received largess from the Chair.

ERRATUM

»» DPR, November 4, 2006: "Parke's Washington DC public relations person, Phil Kiver, also left the campaign. An incident, according to information received by DPR on August 1st, was in part the reason. "As a mom, a woman, and a citizen of Vermont, I'd like to believe in the integrity of candidates and their staff. This morning my daughter tells me that she was accosted last night, while working at Centennial Field, by Phil Kiver. He pushed her up against a wall, leaned in and said 'I really like redheads'. This occurred in a crowd of fans. Mr. Kiver was escorted from Centennial Field by employees of the Lake Monsters."

»» Greg Parke, Rutland: You stated Mr. Kiver left the campaign. Since he attended the GOP Unity Breakfast, that is a false statement. I did investigate the alleged incident and was unable to corroborate the accusations. In fact, the young lady concerned never said he was escorted from the game.

»» Young lady in question’s mom, Colchester: Mr. Parke called and apologized for the incident.

»» Phil Kiver, Northern Virginia: For the record, I do not know the lady in question, nor do I recall any incident even remotely resembling anything conversation I had that evening.

»» C. J. Knudsen, General Manager, Lake Monsters, Burlington: After the incident was reported to me by the lady in question, we had two Lake Monsters' staff members monitor the man in question until he left the ballpark.

»» DPR: We erred in our report of November 4, 2006. We apologize to Mr. Parke and Mr. Kiver.

THE TSUNAMI OF 06

»» Jim Daley, Colchester: Dwinell....you're a rare one! Thank goodness. A couple of comments on the recent tsunami!

1. If half of the members of the Board of Directors of the Lake Champlain Regional had stayed in town and voted for Gordon Paquette in 1981, Sanders would not have been elected Mayor. As the CEO of the Chamber at that time I asked many of them including former Mayor Frank Cain if they had voted. Most said they hadn't because they thought Gordy was a shoo-in.

In my opinion, Sanders won the 1981 election only because he and his teenage groupies organized the 18 year old & juvenile college kids, many of whom were here for 4 years and back to CT or MA or wherever, and did not have to pay anything for the results of their actions. A study of the impact of local non-native student-voters on the political structure of Vermont would be an eye-opener. How about we bring back the poll tax?

2. I asked Rich Tarrant several times to take a stance that he would only serve 2 terms and promote term limits for the Congress. I suggested 2 six-year terms for the Senate and 6 two-year terms for the House (Four-year terms would be better in this day and age). If they can't get it done in 12 years they never will! I doubt that would have got him the win but his strategists should have considered it.

3. Congratulations to the 170,000 Vermont voters who have morphed Bernie Sanders from the least effective member of the US House to the least effective member of the US Senate!

As usual...keep up the good work.

ANOTHER TAKE

»» Anonymous: You wrote, "Instead of supporting individual candidates, they might have supported a statewide campaign exposing the Democrat's record of every tax increase known to man. Perhaps they could have pounded the fact that Democrats from 1996 to 2005 increased our tax burden by one and a half times (150%), while the national average is an increase of only a third (36%)? It is baffling that when one issue is so hot, taxes, completely caused by Democrats, that Democrats not only win, they pick up eleven seats."

Just between you and me, I argued that this would have been a more useful strategy to no avail. I told Jim Barnett that the Party and the Governor had to make these connections for Vermonters at that level and then the candidates could do their thing at the local levels, but was told that wasn't their job.

YET ANOTHER TAKE

»» Bart Bonaz, Tinmouth: You are wrong... The Democrats won on the Bush hating, anti-American, Al Qaeda-supporting rhetoric blasted out to the public on the nightly, morning, and all day news shows and newspapers! The constant hate-filled rhetoric calling Bush every name imaginable along with the cowardice and weakness of the American public, which surrendered in Iraq after 2,800 deaths, gave the victory to the secular progressives!

The lack of spine in the American people ensured the democrat victory. We lost 18,000 soldiers on D-day and 2,000 soldiers per day for 80 days during the battle of the Ardennes in WWII... and we are whining after 2,800 deaths in the middle of world war III facing 2,000,000 Muslims who want us dead! Give me a break! When the Iranians see this election they see surrender! When several nukes go off in LA, NY, and Boston, the American liberals will have gotten what they voted for.

REVOLT AND REPEAL LIVES

»» Rep. Steve Adams (R), Hartland: Enjoyed DPR as usual, however your comment that Revolt and Repeal never recovered from the Democrats ignoring the taxpayer (and their town selectboards) is far from correct. The grassroots movement that we started in September is still spreading statewide. Town after Town have passed Resolutions calling on the legislature to repeal the statewide property tax. As of November 11th, 41 towns have issued Resolutions. Our movement was never intended to be an election year ploy, we will still be here in January when the biennium begins. Be assured that Revolt and Repeal is very much alive and well. Visit www.revoltandrepeal.com to learn more.

VOTERS DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW "WHAT HAPPENED TO BERNIE"

»» Michael Seely, Dorset: Another good analysis. Bernie for six years--what a dreadful thought.

DOUBLE STANDARD

»» Bruce Shields, Wolcott: Very thoughtful report. On the Vermont Business Council being attacked -- I brought up the VBC scorecard at a Lamoille candidate's forum, where every incumbent present scored 0% or for Shap Smith, 7%. The incumbents attacked the votes scored as having been politically chosen. About two weeks later, the Vermont Central Labor Council issued their scorecard. Our 0% incumbents all were rated "Good Guys." There was no section of footnotes explaining the bills or procedures rated, just Good Guys and Bad Guys. There has not been one word of protest at an unfair rating system from the Democrat incumbents. How strange!

REGARDING "THE GANG THAT COULDN'T SHOOT STRAIGHT"

»» Chuck Lacy, Jericho: via phone: I was stunned when I read DPR [11/10/06]; I had never been called a thug before. I did not agree with the measure on the scorecards of the business coalition. I had hoped to write an op-ed refuting their conclusions but I wanted to know first if some members of the business coalition did not agree with the stated anti-member campaign goals. So I made some calls.

If I had told folks that I was the speaker’s husband, I assume that people would have thought that maybe I was threatening them. And I stopped as soon as I understood that my calls had made some people uneasy.

THEY LIKE US

»» Ed Wilson, Morrisville: I appreciate the DPR and I am very happy to be receiving it again. Why is it that we never hear about Bernie's early days in Vermont. The Free Press article said only that he worked as a carpenter when he first arrived. What else has he ever done outside of politics, how did he survive?

»» Paul Premo, Berlin: I want to let you know how much I look forward to your Dwinell Report online. Your letter and the Caledonian Record are the publications I agree with the most. Keep up your great work!

»» Mary Mazur, South Burlington: Too rainy to go out today? Take a minute to read and reflect this past week's election through the eyes of Jim Dwinell's Political Report. It's great to have Jim back on the job and I hope you all sign up for his newsletter. "[It's] Sometimes irreverent, always provocative..."

»» Rick Hubbard, South Burlington: I always enjoy your insights.

»» Jim Mulligan: How much does it cost to subscribe?

»» Betty Bingham, Essex Jct: Keep up the good work. I make it a point to read your reports, and very often agree with you.

ARE WE THERE YET?

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so." --Ronald Reagan

WHAT WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO?

"A man fixed his front tooth with superglue after failing to find an NHS [National Health Service] dentist. Gordon Cook, 55, has used the bizarre 'Do It Yourself Dentistry' technique on a loose crown for the last three years--with each fresh application of glue lasting around two months." --London's Daily Mail, 11/18/06

THE NEXT GENERATION COMMISSION

"Germany's downward spiral in population is no longer reversible, the country's federal statistics office said Tuesday. The birthrate has dropped so low that immigration numbers cannot compensate.

Germany has the lowest birthrate in Europe (Vermont has the lowest birthrate in the United States), with an average of 1.36 children per woman. Despite government incentives to encourage larger families, the population is dropping rapidly and that trend will continue, with an expected loss of as much as 12 million by 2050. --November 9, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com)

Germany Acknowledges Impending Pension System Collapse from Low Population
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/jul/04072205.html

German Birthrate Hits Bottom: Lowest in Europe
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06031711.html

HERE'S MUD IN YOUR EYE

"Think of it as a chance to confront fascism in 1920, if we had only had the guts to do it." --General John Abizaid

AND LATER

"Hope is not a strategy," --Senator Hillary Clinton scolded General Abizaid

"Despair is not a policy," --countered General Abizaid, 11/14/06, Testimony to Congress

HERE'S TO YOU JOE VOTER

"Congratulations to the voters of Vermont. Bernie will, as he has done for many years in the House, be working hard for you and your interests in Washington.

"Bernie will be working hard to raise the price of household goods and clothing by opposing free trade agreements and supporting tariffs in a vain attempt to save the "American worker." Bernie will be working hard to raise the price of gasoline by opposing any new drilling or refinery construction while chumming it up with his buddy Hugo Chavez.

"Bernie will be working hard to disincentive drug companies from doing expensive research into new drugs that could save your life by supporting caps on drug prices. And Bernie will no doubt be working hard to suppress innovation and risk-taking by American entrepreneurs and companies that make life better for us all by increasing taxes and regulations." --David Frink, Letter to the Editor, Burlington Free Press, 11/22/06

THE BULL MOOSE SPEAKS

"We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." --Theodore Roosevelt 1907

MAY HE REST IN PEACE, HE DESERVES TO

"Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned." --Milton Friedman

1984-ISH

"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind." --George Orwell, Politics and the English Language.

GOVERNMENT UBER ALLES

"Dominique de Villepin said that he would abandon France's previous plans for income tax cuts so as to provide more money for job creation." --The Economist

EVERYBODY GETS IT BUT OUR LEGISLATURE

"Reggie Bush was asked if he had any disappointments about going to the New Orleans Saints in the NFL draft rather than, as expected, to the Houston Texans. He said that his only disappointment is that Texas has no state income tax while Louisiana has one."

FAREWELL

"Given our monstrous, overgrown government structure, any three letters chosen at random would probably designate an agency or part of a department that could be profitably abolished." ---Milton Friedman, R.I.P.

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