We Americans are being forced to vote Nov. 8 for the lesser of two evils: Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. You’ve decided against Trump? Fine. Me, too.
But remember, Clinton is an evil. We must not enable and empower her by granting her control over Congress. In the White House she flouted subpoenas for documents and led a health care reform effort that failed by excluding all in the health care industry. Since then she led from behind as attitudes changed: first for the Iraq war, then against the surge; intervention in Libya, then inattention; engagement with Russia to now reviving Cold War tensions. Her version of truth about confidential emails evolves and conflicts with the attorney general’s.
She is not a leader, but an aggregator of personal opportunities. If we are fortunate enough to have a Republican Congress, the U.S. may yet muddle through four more years without economic, social or military tragedies. Don’t empower Clinton. Hedge your bets. Vote for a Republican Congress.
Robert HargravesHanover
A Third-Party Vote Is a Bad Idea
I don’t hold Hillary Clinton in extremely high regard — not in the way I have supported other presidential candidates. In fact, I may never get over the DNC’s actions that put her on the ballot.
However, for Donald Trump, I feel nothing short of contempt. My reasons would likely fill this entire issue. If you are firmly in the Trump camp, I’m sorry, but move along. This letter isn’t about you. Some people plan to cast their vote for a third-party candidate — Gary Johnson, Libertarian, or Jill Stein, Green Party. I’ve heard the reasons: “I’m not happy with either Trump or Clinton,” or “I support his/her platform.” Others, such as “I want to send a message of change,” or “I’m voting third party because I’m mad about what happened to Bernie” are also common. These are fantastic reasons to cast your vote — heck, the emotional me had the latter two thoughts — then reality and reason came along.
The good news is that your vote will matter! The bad news is your vote’s impact is probably not what you had in mind. I believe Libertarian John Hospers was the last third-party candidate to win a single elector, in 1972. Third-party runs have, however, affected election outcomes. In the contentious 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader received almost 100,000 votes in Florida. George W. Bush bested Al Gore by less than 1,000 votes, won all 25 of Florida’s electors — and the presidency. Since it is highly unlikely that Bush supporters broke ranks to support Nader, Nader’s presence on the ballot cost Gore the election. I leave you to decide if that was the outcome you favored, or would have favored if you were old enough to vote 16 years ago.
On Nov. 9, either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be president-elect. There is no poll, mathematical model, pundit prediction, simulation or dream that puts a third party in the White House.
If you wake up on Nov. 9 and Trump is the winner, will you, your children, community and nation be the better for it? If not, vote for Clinton and leave Trump to whatever it is that Trump does — poorly, but with panache.
Karl StanfordEnfield
In light of Donald Trump’s recent comments, the mainstream media rush to assure us that our elections are not rigged.
Whatever you think of Donald Trump, he knows how the system is rigged against him, and he isn’t wrong about that. This is the year that the Democratic Party has been exposed in all its ugliness. It has been an eye-opener for me, and I hope for you.
Dan LegettHanover
It’s Rigged by Republicans
Well, Donald Trump, finally, there is something we agree on. Yes, the election is rigged.
It is rigged by Republican state legislatures that have gerrymandered house districts to the point where the only thing Republican candidates have to worry about is staying far enough out on the right fringe to win the primary. The general election is a foregone conclusion.
It has been rigged by Republican governors who never got the message that voting is a right, not a privilege, and have signed into law measures intended to suppress voting through curtailing early voting, requiring photo IDs and closing voting venues in efforts to discourage voting mainly among those likely to vote Democratic.
Relax, Mr. Trump. They’re doing everything they can think of to elect you and a House of Representatives sympathetic to your misguided point of view.
Lloyd Bunten Canaan
The Scott Milne Enigma
Scott Milne puzzles me. Don’t get me wrong: He’s nimble, charming and witty, but his policy positions come across as “Leahy Lite.” Why go faux when you can vote for the real deal, Patrick Leahy, who’s been standing and delivering for Vermonters for decades?
Not only has Sen. Leahy stood up to the Joker in Batman movies, he stands up to real jokers in Washington and has a record to prove it. Most recently, Leahy doubled down to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (which increased vital support for victims of crime). He championed legislation to boost funding for our Anti-Heroin Task Force again to fight the epidemic here and elsewhere. Plus, he led the effort to re-engage with Cuba. Even more important, Sen. Leahy has fought for years against lobbyists Milne claims he’s tied to, and our senior senator has Citizens United clearly in his crosshairs.
While promising the moon in an election year, Milne, the Pomfret travel agent, hopes to go to D.C. on your dime, but his website’s thin on civic accomplishments and real policies. Compare Leahy’s record on his website.
The difference is clear this year: a slick-talking salesman or a guy who’s been in the trenches for years delivering for all Vermonters. That’s why I’m voting for Pat Leahy on Nov. 8, and ask you to do likewise.
Bob WilliamsonSouth Woodstock
As I look around Vermont, at its stagnant economy, high taxes, overpriced real estate and low wages, I see a complete breakdown in intelligent life.
We have folks like Peter Gregory and the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission over there in Woodstock — every time they see something that just might move Vermont a little forward, they eliminate it. It is a threat to them as they foolishly believe they are saving something by creating nothing.
We are one of the most regulated states in the nation, with poor growth for jobs that pay above the poverty level. This is what you get with appointed rather than elected planners.
Then you have a state Supreme Court made up of political cronies, who do not understand the Constitution they are supposed to be upholding. They are worthless at best.
We are in serious trouble in Vermont. We have two old men trying to represent us in Washington, and the Democrats providing free benefits to those that support them rather than get a job. We just keep electing the same people year after year. We as a state must change direction, and fast; we must disband the regional planning clubs and give this back to the towns where it belongs.
We must recognize the failures of the Democratic Party and move further to the center by electing more working-class folks who have actually held a job outside of government. We as a state must enact strict term limits on statewide and national elective offices, and elect our Supreme Court justices, as our current system has failed. And move Vermont forward by reducing the size of state government by at least 25 percent. We can do this just by getting rid of three-quarters of the groups involved with the Act 250 process that spend all day tripping over each other.
Douglas Tuthill West Hartford
Supporting Alison Clarkson
I want to see Alison Clarkson elected to the Vermont state Senate, and I’d like to tell you why. Clarkson has worked hard to learn more about Windsor County and its wonderful communities. She has also devoted a lot of energy to understanding Springfield — our many assets and also the difficulties we face. She has walked our neighborhoods and met with our residents to learn first-hand about our issues. She even joined me for the most recent Black River clean-up.
My experience on the Springfield Selectboard over the past year and a half has taught me how critically important it is that we have strong allies in Montpelier. We need reliable, skilled, experienced and accessible legislators who are willing to fight for Springfield — legislators who will work with us to find the funding and investors we need to rebuild our economy. I am totally convinced that Alison Clarkson is a partner we can count on.
Walter MartoneSpringfield, Vt.