DOES HE OR DOESN'T HE? 

A year ago the question was asked of the governor about his suddenly youthful hair color. In fact he did. Now the question is being asked about his support of the Circumferential Highway, the modified Burlington beltway. He gives it political support but does not give it enough real support to have it built. George Tyler explains in last week's Essex Reporter:

"In fact, Sinclair said, from his perspective the Dean administration does not favor the project and has only kept it alive for political reasons.

"'In the early 1990's there just was no money for the Circ, so no politician could have made it happen,' said Sinclair. 'Then, in the mid- to late 1990's we got a slug of money into Vermont from the feds for transportation projects...so the Circ became viable financially. So there was an opportunity at that time... In terms of what happened in the mid to late 1990's, I think Governor Dean has always been very ambivalent about the Circ. I've got pretty good information that he doesn't believe that it would make a heck of a lot of sense and if it wasn't for IBM and it wasn't a political albatross, he'd like it killed.'

"'In fact, we've been told behind the scenes that the Dean administration will do anything possible to slow the thing down,' Sinclair continued. 'It certainly was clear to me that the administration was not going to get in the way of our appeals on this issue... Governor Dean and Lt. Governor Doug Racine are not convinced that the Circ Highway is a good investment and if the politics were different I think they would say this is a waste of money.'"

To read the full article go to: http://www.vermontGOP.org/blocked_circ.shtml

For the case in support of the Circ, go to the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce site "The Circ Will Work": http://www.vermont.org/overview/circhighway.html 

THE ROUT IS ON 

When you have them on the run, keep the pressure on. One of Governor Dean's pet projects is the renewable energy bill. This week IBM sent a representative to testify that they were adamantly opposed to the bill. They were also bothered that there had been no contact between IBM and the state about the bill's creation or its legislative markup. IBM is the state's largest energy consumer and might have a justified interest in any energy bill. Maybe they might have a helpful idea or two. After all they consume energy in most every continent and scores of countries. But when you have them on the run, why bother? 

LOVER SCORNED 

After years of courting, flattery, and hand holding, he dumps the previous object of his affection for the fancier and more prestigious model. For the first time in memory, Governor Howard Dean could not make time for Vermont Business Expo. Had they renamed it Iowa Business Expo, bet he would have made the time. 

DOCTOR JUDY SAYS, "RUN!" 

Governor Howard Dean has not just formed his presidential political machine and signed the papers making him an official candidate for President of the United States. He announced today that his wife was fully behind his effort, though vows to stay way behind the active campaigning. 

3,942 AND COUNTING 

AP reporter Ross Sneyd wrote a story, "Economy hot topic in governor race." Right. We know that; 4,700 lost manufacturing jobs can certainly focus one's attention. In his article he quotes our Governor Howard Dean, just back from la la land, "I think that you can do things about these problems which we are going to do." 3,942 days in office and we are still waiting for him to do something. Or maybe not, maybe we are just waiting for him and his lieutenant governor to exit stage left and let someone else get on with the business at hand. 

OH, WHERE IS EMILY POST? 

Manners, grace, and style were not in evidence from Lieutenant Governor Douglas Racine last Thursday on the steps of the Capitol. Once upon a time, even a politician received his one day in the sun in announcing his candidacy. No more. The fifties harken back to the time when you were told that, if you did not have anything nice to say, not to say anything. No more.

Douglas never mentioned Racine in his announcement speech, he did not criticize him, he did not hold him accountable. He spoke of his plans for moving Vermont forward. He spoke specifically, outlining his approach to improve our business climate: ease the "tax burden, do more with less, streamline and consolidate the permit process, repair failing roads and bridges, health care is too expensive because Vermont's laws have driven insurers from the state, school choice would not be a privilege reserved only for the wealthy, and economic opportunity begins with educational opportunity." Can't be much more specific than that in an announcement speech.

Not enough for Doug though. "Racine said that Douglas has spelled out no specific solutions to any issues, he's never really put any details onto his nice sounding ideas." Excuse me for raining on his parade. No, you are not excused. 

THEN WAS THEN, NOW IS NOW 

Just weeks ago, Dean was asked about the Ready/Douglas flap on computer glitches in the treasurer's office, and he said, "I don't want to get involved in the governor's race." But now he rips Douglas just because Douglas used his announcement speech to highlight his specific suggestions for dealing with the slumping Vermont economy. When in deep do-do, attack the messenger not the message. 

CROSS IS CROSS! 

Redistricting gets the better of many. Representative and Winooski Board of Civil Authority Chair George Cross, D-Winooski, voted last week to give South Burlington four seats. When the Government Operations Committee voted to give South Burlington four seats, Cross was cross, railing at them for having committed "an immoral act."

Surprisingly, the Democrat representatives of Burlington have supported one fewer Burlington representative, instead preserving two Winooski representatives, thereby disregarding their constituents, embracing their ambitions for power, and sticking it to the Progressives. 

CAR 54, WHERE ARE YOU? 

There he was, filling our rear view mirror, rapidly gaining, a black Audi, built for the Autobahn. In a flash, he went by, Senator Peter Shumlin, senator pro tem etched on the number "Senate 16" license plate. Removing our pedestrian cruise control setting from our Detroit built clunker, we followed along, interested in how our lawmaker was turning into lawbreaker. Approaching 85 mph, Shumlin caught up with traffic forcing him to moderate his speed. Then into the work area, he drove where fines are doubled. Pushing traffic, he cruised at 65 mph. We guess that Vermont's laws were made for someone else. 

THE POWER OF OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY 

Yours! The issues for ending this legislative session have been known for weeks. The deals will not be getting any sweeter. And yet it goes on. Why? Lieutenant Governor wannabe Senator Peter Shumlin controls that question. Sporting a three percent recognition factor in vote-rich Chittenden County, home of his GOP opponent Brian Dubie, Shumlin needs all the ink he can get. Shamelessly, he is getting it at a $200,000 a week clip. Your money, but who counts among friends.

He even grandstands that the legislature should go unpaid. Some legislators are quite poor, retired folks, truck drivers, factory workers, landscapers, and teachers who need their paycheck. It's okay for the well healed Shumlin but quite disingenuous. In fact, when asked if he would forego his wages when his proposal did not fly, he demurred.

Quite the hoaxer. 

LEADER OF THE PACK 

Who takes in the most from their toils in representing us in wages and expenses? Your are right, Shumlin appears to take the cake at $48,930.21 and counting for this 2001-2002 legislative session. 

THE RIGHT STUFF, A STAR IS BORN 

Governor Dean said that part of the problem is that "Democrats do policy first, doing the right thing while the Republicans put politics first." This not being our experience, in fact quite the opposite being the case, we asked if that included Senator Shumlin. The governor said, "Once in a while we have a star that gets it right." 

IS THAT RIGHT, SHERLOCK? 

The Peace and Justice Center released a study this week concluding that low wage workers are struggling. No, really? The bad news about our almost full employment economy is the wide underemployment. Each time a plant leaves Vermont, workers go from a $20.00 and hour job to a $15.00 an hour job. Or they go from a $12.50 an hour job to a $9.00 an hour job. Or they go from a $9.00 an hour job to a shelf stocker at Wal Mart or a bagger at Shaw's for $6.25 an hour. That is the big tragedy of losing 4,100 manufacturing jobs in Vermont.

Then incomes are less, state revenues fall, so they raise fees and taxes, hitting the struggling workers even more. Then they cancel out the economic stimulus package for Vermonters, protecting their own cash flow, but hitting struggling workers again. There is just not enough wealth around to mandate a livable wage. We need to earn it through investment and value added. Back to the O'Neal Report's conclusion: there is not rational reason for business folks being in or investing in Vermont.

Then there is success envy. If you are downtrodden, struggling, or afflicted, there is much sympathy and support. But if you are successful, there is envy and the inevitable stick pushed through your spokes to stop you, hamper you, or slow you down. 

A TALE OF TWO CITIES 

In Rutland, one could read Tracy Schmaler's story in the Herald of Jim Douglas's announcement for governor. You would not read critical comments from Doug Racine. Tracy gave Jim his day in the sun.

In Burlington, Tom Zolper and his editors at the Free Press used the occasion to promote Racine's view that Douglas has no solutions to our problems, in spite of a speech full of solutions presented to Tom and others.

Sullivan versus the New York Times

In 1960, an advertisement appeared in the New York Times which contained several errors of fact. Sullivan sued the Times for libel and won. The Times appealed to the Supreme Court and the Court reversed the judgment. They found that for there to be libel in publishing, the paper must print something "with knowledge that it was false" and with "malice" or the intent to harm. The Times did not meet these criteria.

In the Douglas announcement story, the Free Press comes close to qualifying for libel. They printed Racine's false view of "no specific solutions" when a quick reading of what Zolper had just heard suggests that solutions were in fact put forth. Secondly, in so doing, did they intend to harm Douglas? They certainly did not intend to help him. Do some reporters favor the Democrats? Maybe, some have worked for them when the opportunity arose.

Would a politician file suit? No, it would be a death-knell. But if a pattern of libelous writing appears, continually aimed at Republicans, could not some Republicans file suit that they as a group are being libeled? Maybe. 

HELL NO, WE WON'T GO 

Up goes the cry, this time from Hugh Hewitt writing for World Net Daily.

"It is time to cancel that trip to Vermont. Be sure to tell the Vermont Chamber of Commerce why you aren't coming and drop a note to the Burlington Free Press to let the state's leading paper know as well. The Vermont tourism industry can thank Pat Leahy... Jim Jeffords added, 'Pat, I sleep better at night knowing that you are picking the judges...'

"This is Vermont's blockade, initiated by one Vermonter and executed by another... Vermont is entitled to its own brand of goof-ball politics. That's the glory of federalism. But the vast, vast majority of Americans support the president and support a diverse and competent judiciary, especially on issues of law and order...

"So, I propose that like-minded Americans veto a Vermont vacation..."

We thought that the Constitution required the advice and consent of the senate, not that one senator can now "pick judges" as in the words of Jeffords.

For the complete article, go to: <http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=27769>

THE SHELL GAME CONTINUES 

Filling about one third of the business page in this week's Burlington Free Press was a story about a California company opening an office in Williston and hiring eight former IBM workers. No surprise there. Only a short time ago, the high tech industry was 500,000 people short. Always nice to pick up a few when you can. The surprise however is that they began interviewing in January, decided to open the Williston office in February, and opened it April first according to a spokesperson for the company.

The surprise is why now, when the Democrats are reeling from the body blows of companies leaving Vermont, does the Free Press come up with a two month old story and give it buckets of ink? Is this clever Sue Allen, the Governor's press secretary and former Free Press writer, at work with a gullible reporter, or just the good graces of the Free Press trying to protect its own? 

YOO-HOO, ANYBODY HOME? 

Letters to the editor are a long valued way for citizens to express their opinions. This week's Times Argus, however, had at least three letters from folks who are not exactly just citizens. Ed Miller of Northfield writes a nice letter congratulating the trucking industry on its better highway safety record. That he is their lobbyist was not mentioned.

Harvey Otterman writes a nice note about school choice but no mention is made that he is a representative. Greg Parke used the letters page to pen a reminder that Memorial Day is for remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. That he is a Republican candidate for Congress is not mentioned. How many other letters go by inconspicuously is not known. The self-interested might declare themselves. The paper might employ someone who knows who the self-interested are... 

HEAR IT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH 

James Dwinell, Editor of the Dwinell Political Report, will be speaking this Friday, May 31, at the Ilsley Library in Middlebury at 730 in the evening. From November, 2000 through November 2001, James was the writer and editor of the Editorial Page of the Addison Eagle. The occasion is the monthly meeting of the Addison County GOP. 

DEMODENT POLITICS 

»» Roy Berkeley: In regard to Dick Morris's observation that he had always thought Jeffords was a Democrat, I have always thought that, too. When the Vermont Republicans would phone me in search of a contribution, I would usually tell the caller that if Jim Jeffords is a Republican, I must be something else. Morris and I are both alumni of Columbia College and I suspect that the intellectual rigor demanded by the Core Curriculum required there may have something to do with our shared political acuity :-)

Actually, as far as Jeffords's Democrat identity (and Liberal Democrat, at that) is concerned, I think a blind man could have discerned it with a stick...

»» G. Lester Corwin II, South Royalton: Yes. Mr. Jeffords is a Demodent, which should be pronounced DEE mow(as in cut the hay) dent, which reminds one of the creature usually dressed in red with a pointed (trident) tail, and occasionally carrying a pitchfork.

Regarding Jim Douglas' announcement for Governor's race, Mr. Freyne gave more time in his WDEV report on the event to Mr. Racine's comments dissing our next governor. I suppose we Vermonters should be patient, but freedom of speech ought be for everyone and unbiased, something most media are NOT. 

HITCH YOUR WAGON TO A STAR 

»» David D. Demar, Georgia: Is it my imagination, or does Chris Graff have his eye on a move to Washington, D.C.? First, he sucks up to Ho-Ho on his website "Fund for a [un]Healthy America": Graff uses snake-oil-salesman rhetoric that would make a flim-flam man blush to elevate Dean to near-saint status:

"Howard Dean is Vermont's Harry Truman. Dean, like Truman, is a no-nonsense, plain-speaking guy who loves to give 'em hell. ... He defies labels, following a pragmatic not partisan path. ... Our first baby-boomer governor harkens to a time gone by, a time when families were strong and values deep. He is patriotic, a strong law and order man who believes in the American dream and expects people to do their best to climb the ladder." -- Christopher Graff, September 9, 2001

Now, Graff (sounding more like Bernie Sanders than himself) comes to "Jumpin' Jim" Jefford's rescue in his recent A.P. article: Jeffords... "could not remain in a party that favored tax breaks to the wealthy over full funding of education programs for the disabled." Is it my imagination, or does everyone except the Press and Media recognize their far-left agenda?

Clearly, the "reality" wagon pulled out of the liberal wagon train long ago, and it ain't comin' back. And if Graff can't get there that way, he'll hook a ride with Jumpin' Jim. Guess one has to keep all the bases covered. 

WHO BOUGHT THE FARM...WHAT? 

»» Jim Brent, Huntington: With regard to the new Agri-bill to come from the Fed, I'd like to point out that while it is reported to cost $71 billion, and possibly $100 billion, about half, $36.1 billion is earmarked for farmland 'conservation' measures, i.e., land trust, etc., and of the remaining balance approximately half of that will go towards expansion of high tech farming aids such as local programming of TV channels on satellite dishes and improved speeds for Internet connections. I would be willing to wager the money could have been better spent on direct payments of a farmers property taxes if nothing else, maybe by way of a trust, or whatever. This is, I realize, very over simplified but, anyhow, keep up the good work. 

THEY LIKE US! 

»» Herb Hillman, Stowe: "Pay me now or pay me later." Outstanding!

»» Emilie Mattesich, Burlington: Great article on Jeffords. Time will tell all. The Greek saying applies: "The mills of the gods grind slow, but they grind exceeding fine."

»» Charlie Arlinghaus: Just went to your website and the 5/24 iteration of your publication. Outstanding! Quite the poetic tour this week, Mr. Dwinell. I particularly enjoyed the headlines including "Tommy, can you hear me." Nice to see subtlety lives yet.

»» Joseph Misko: A relative shared a hard copy of the Dwinell Report with me. It looked good. Sign me up.

»» Eleanor Collier, Berlin: Love your "report"!! Thanks for all your efforts. 

ARE WE THERE YET?
by James Dwinell 

Nope. But for the impatient, here's a quick legislative review:

The Little Engine That Could still lives.
The Green Mountain High has been tabled.
Your taxes are going up.
Ye Olde Tattoo Shoppe remains unregulated.
Act 60 will not be permanently fixed till the cows come home.
Killing Si, Work No. West Mountain can be hunted but not logged.
Your fees are going up.
Farms Can Farm, yes to bio-technology.
Who Is My Representative? Redistricting still undone, undoing some.
Largest multi-member senate district in the USA still intact.
Parental Notification scuttled without a vote in Senate.
Civil Unions for all scuttled without a vote in Senate.
Permit Reform gutted in Senate.
School Choice scuttled without a vote in Senate.
Charter Schools scuttled without a vote in Senate.
Stimulus package not needed.
Still no Circ.
Powerball is in New Hampshire.
Medicaid reform... jury still out.
Cheap drugs are in.
No signs to big mac.
Water water everywhere is cleaner.
No more outhouse.
Cigarettes cost more.
Fido gets rights.

THINK IT NEEDS SHOCKS? 

"President Ramaley understood the need to tie UVM into Vermont but she never got her hands on the steering wheel." -- Professor Paul Harrington, Center for Labor Studies, Northeastern University, from the Mark Johnson Show, WKDR. 

THOSE WERE THE DAYS MY FRIENDS 

"When IBM elected to move to Essex in 1957, they commented that our big plus was the strong desire of Vermonters to welcome them..." -- Bill Hazelett, It's My turn, Burlington Free Press, May 28, 2002. For the full commentary, go to: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/bfpnews/editorial/tuesday/3000h.htm (expires 6/3/02)

WHEN WILL THEY EVER RETURN? 

"More disturbing, though, is Jeffery Carr's prediction that Vermont will not regain all of its lost manufacturing jobs in the foreseeable future 'if at all.'" -- From an AP story by Chris Graff For the full article, go to: <http://www.boston.com/dailynews/148/region/State_economist_says_tough_tim:.shtml>

James Dwinell, editor-in-chief of this newsletter, is available for speaking engagements on a variety of political topics. 
Contact: Dwinell@adelphia.net for more information.

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