Promoting the local economy
Letter to the Editor:
I recently found a cheery harvest guide from the Vermont Department of Agriculture tucked into a local newspaper. And while I’m more than willing to see my tax dollars being used to promote Vermont farm products, I was dismayed to see that the publication was not only being used to promote governor-scissors-hand, but was doing it in a way that misrepresents reality.
In a greeting note from Roger Albee, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, he states, “Initiated by Governor Douglas in 2003, the Buy Local movement is stronger than ever and Vermont is leading the way.”
James Douglas has about as much of a claim on starting the buy local “movement” as his buddy W. has to being a man of peace. While Douglas has paid lip service to the idea of buying local (”it’s just that simple”), he has done next to nothing to actually make it happen.
In fact, Gov. Douglas signed on to a governors’ agreement with President Bush stating that as governor, he promised to give the Central American countries who were signing onto to the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) free access to Vermont markets. In fact, the agreement promised that Gov. Douglas will not allow any preferences to be given to Vermont goods and businesses when the state goes shopping for goods and services.
It is notable that many other governors, after realizing what they had signed, rescinded their signatures, but our favorite ribbon cutter is sticking with George Bush on this issue.
The only person in the governor’s race who actually is speaking about how Vermont can promote our local economy is Anthony Pollina.
He is pushing for government and government-supported entities to invest at least 2 percent of their fungible equity into a fund that provides loans and assistance to Vermont businesses. He wants buying local to start at the Statehouse cafeteria and other places where the state government can actually make a commitment and help nudge others towards understanding the true potential of Vermont’s economy.
And he is promoting the idea of a Vermont credit card, so we can enjoy the use of credit without obscenely usurious interest rates while raising money for the state at the same time.
As long as Douglas ties himself to the tired Republican party mantra of “taxes are bad — corporations and laissez-faire capitalism are good,” his policies will only lead to more assaults on Vermont’s economy by big corporations sucking money from our state, less possibilities for Vermonters to carve a place for ourselves in the emerging economy, and a continuing exodus of young Vermonters who are tired of their interests taking a back seat to those of the top 1 percent who are currently running the show.
Dan DeWalt
South Newfane
This Letter to the Editor was published in the Monday, July 7, 2008 issue of the Rutland Herald. (link to source)