Editor,
The legislators and senators in the Vermont assembly take the following oath of affirmation and allegiance upon being sworn into office. It reads like this.
“You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will be true and faithful to the State of Vermont and that you will not, directly or indirectly, do any act or thing injurious to the Constitution or Government thereof.”
It is a good and necessary that they should take such an oath. The Constitution is, of course, the foundation of our Vermont Republic. The citizens deserve elected representation that is true, faithful and will not injure the Constitution.
Article 18 of the Vermont Constitution speaks to fundamental principles of virtues necessary to preserve liberty. It reads like this.
“That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free; the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, and in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.”
The concept of justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality are not radical concepts.
The good citizens of Vermont have every right and duty to question their elected officials about legislative acts that do not meet the litmus test of our constitution. For example: Why did the ruling Democratic supermajority spend $200 million dollars for a VT Health Exchange website that does not work? Why is this same supermajority running a $139 million dollar budget deficit. What is the liberal elite in Montpelier doing to address our state governments $3.2 billion dollar unfunded liabilities (pensions)? Why did the Democrats “raid” the education fund in 2011 to the tune of $27 million dollars and then pass the cost onto property owners? Why are the progressives in Montpelier moving rapidly to abolish local school boards and eliminate school choice?
Are the people we have elected reading the constitution? Are they upholding their sacred oath? What has so drastically changed in Vermont that when a citizen asks these questions they are labeled a radical.
Stu Lindberg
Cavendish, Vermont