Unfair Claims of Racism
Steve Nelson begins his July 24 column with his opinion that anger directed toward Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama is caused by sexism and racism. He thereby falsely impugns me and those who feel as I do. Nelson then reaches his “inevitable conclusion” by launching into his own diatribe on the failings of Donald Trump and by an attempt to exonerate Clinton.
There are many like myself who disagree strongly with the policies of Obama, and disrespect the many falsehoods of Clinton. We become upset when they are not held to account; we become angry when our selves are attacked for our opinions. It is simply wrong for Nelson to paint us all with the broad brushes of sexism and racism. Because he always seems to be looking through those lenses, the inevitable conclusion is that he can find such a person simply by looking in a mirror.
Tim Dreisbach
South Royalton
Supporting Matt Dunne
While three capable people are running in the Vermont Democratic primary for the office of governor, the most capable for the position is Matt Dunne.
The role of governor is not comparable to a purely business model. While leading an organization with thousands of employees and an annual budget exceeding $1.5 billion, there is also the need to establish and implement viable policies to benefit all Vermonters, and to work persuasively with the Legislature to effect those policies — all while recognizing we are limited in what we can and should do by our population and economic base.
Among the three candidates, I believe Matt Dunne is best positioned by business and legislative experience — and by philosophical approach — to serve that office and Vermonters.
Jack Candon
Norwich
Small Steps Out of This Mess
In recent weeks many of us have been frustrated in trying to find a way to respond to terrorism and murders of blacks and whites. This true story was told recently by a neighbor in the Upper Valley and may suggest a way to react to these events.
A man and his wife noticed a cat around their home who looked sick, undernourished, and beat up. They felt the least they could do was to put a bowl of food on the road by their mailbox. The cat would not come up to the house, so daily they moved the bowl up closer to the house. Slowly the cat came closer and finally let the man touch him. They had other cats that were not happy and suddenly the new cat disappeared. They spread the word, has anyone seen the ragged cat? It was several weeks before someone called and said the cat was hiding in a garage. The cat immediately recognized the couple, but was very afraid to leave the garage. It again took time to get the cat back to their home for food and care.
Today the cat sleeps on their bed.
This story echoes the biblical thoughts about the Good Samaritan.
The message is simple. Trust and love can solve problems. However, there is a underlying first step: do something. More often than not we see a problem but ignore it hoping that someone else will fix it. All of us need to take small steps to acknowledge the injustice, suffering, pain and hopelessness of those around us. Building trust and love takes time. Not the easy fix that we desperately want. But it is up to all of us to take the first step.
Jim Baum
Hanover
Consider the Green Party This Time
This has been a week of confusion and disappointment for many Upper Valley Bernie Sanders supporters like myself. We are asking what about the promised political revolution and future we could believe in? Are we left with the empty feeling of a lesser-evil vote again? Of supporting a corporate party and candidate that we feel will lead our country in the opposite direction it must go to bring peace, address climate change, make health care and higher education a right, rein in Wall Street, corporations and destructive trade deals?
There is a positive alternative to all the trumped-up fear and that is to begin to establish a new third party for the 99 percent of us now. We are more powerful than we know and the world cannot wait another eight years. Bernie has opened a golden opportunity that has allowed us to see how powerful we really are despite the forces arrayed against us. We can begin to change things now and put people, planet and peace over profit. How? Don’t be afraid to vote your values and make your vote count.
But what if, oh my God, the sky will fall! That is what they say to scurry us into line. I am not listening this time. I and many others will be voting for Jill Stein of the Green Party in November. I will be voting for a human-centered economy and politics and deep system change. Will we win this time? Probably not, but our votes can send a strong message to the establishment that a third party for the 99 percent is well in the making. And that is more important than who wins this election. It is our golden opportunity, perhaps our only one in the near future.
If you, too, cannot stomach lesser evilism, go to Stein’s website and check out her “Green Plan.” Give her a donation. Most important, help us see that Jill is on the ballot in both New Hampshire and Vermont.
Patricia Greene
Canaan
Hassan Is Good for Business
We believe Gov. Maggie Hassan is right for New Hampshire businesses. The success of Hypertherm, Inc., a manufacturing company located in the Upper Valley, is rooted in its core values, which include providing for the well-being of its associates, shared rewards, innovation and workforce development. We feel it is important that our elected officials share those values, and Governor Hassan has a proven track record of doing just that.
Recently, Governor Hassan announced her Innovate NH 2.0 economic plan, which outlines the priorities she would take to the Senate to foster innovation, support job-creating businesses and expand opportunity for families in New Hampshire and across our nation. One component of the governor’s plan is something we know well at Hypertherm — the concept of shared rewards. We are proud to be a 100 percent employee-owned company, meaning that those who work at Hypertherm aren’t just associates, they are owners. Governor Hassan’s plan calls for encouraging more companies to explore options like ownership and profit sharing.
Throughout her time in office, Governor Hassan has been a champion for New Hampshire’s innovative businesses. The governor has fought to increase and make permanent New Hampshire’s research and development tax credit, cut taxes for small businesses and created the Live Free & Start initiative to support startups. We believe that, as our senator, she will build on those efforts to encourage business innovation and growth. Governor Hassan will also continue efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce to ensure that industries such as manufacturing, health care and IT have workers with the skills and knowledge to be successful. These steps include making college more affordable, expanding job training and apprenticeship programs and enhancing opportunities for science, technology, engineering and math education in our schools. As members of the governor’s STEM task force for the last two years, we know personally how important this is to Governor Hassan. She is fighting for priorities critical to the people of New Hampshire and its businesses. Come November, she will have our vote.
Dick and Barbara Couch
Hanover
It’s No Secret; ‘Garden’ Was Great
Words of congratulation hardly seem enough after attending North Country Community Theatre’s production of A Secret Garden. Truly an outstanding show by everyone involved. This was high quality at its five-star best. Sorry if you missed it.
Edna M. Pierce
Hanover