Editor,
Mark Twain, 19 Century American author, is quoted as saying “No man’s life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.” He was speaking what we know now as a timeless and universal truth.

The Vermont legislature reconvened on Tuesday, January 5. The liberal elitists (Democrats) in charge under the golden dome in Montpelier have dug themselves a deep financial hole. Their insatiable appetite for wasteful spending has outpaced tax revenues by $58 million dollars.

The record of one-party rule in Montpelier over the last six years has included such unsuccessful projects as the $200 million dollar failed Vermont Health Connect website and the equally expensive and liberty killing school consolidation law, ACT 46.

Democrats love the big government hammer to solve small town concerns. In fairness to the Vermont Democrats, a number of prominent “progressive” liberal Republicans enthusiastically signed onto ACT 46. Phil Scott (R), who is running for governor, is quoted as saying, “ACT 46 does not go far enough.” Apparently Phil has as little regard for local control and liberty as Peter Shumlin.

Marijuana legalization will be on the front burner for the governor and legislators this session. The legalization of marijuana should have two positive effects for Vermonters. Legalization could raise huge amounts of revenue for the state. In a sane world, legislators and the governor would add this money to the dangerously underfunded state pension plans. More likely this group of legislators and governor will flush this revenue down the toilet pursuing another socialist fantasy.

Not all would be lost though. The easier access to marijuana could ensure that the Vermont taxpayer could get so stoned out of their minds that they would be oblivious to their pockets being picked, down to the last dime.

The conduct of the supermajority Democrats and Governor Shumlin over the last six years would make even the worldly Mark Twain blush with embarrassment.

Stuart Lindberg
Cavendish, VT