A Seasonal Publication of News, Politics, And Counter-Culture For The Working Vermonter, Fall/Winter, 2008-9 #21 FREE VERMONT’S 2008 GENERAL ELECTION And the Future of the Green Mountain Electoral Left GREEN MOUNTAIN EARTH FIRST! Takes Action Against VT Yankee/PSB

By Slug

Brattleboro, VT, November, 3rd, 2008- Demanding the closure of Vermont Yankee By David Van Deusen nuclear power plant in mid 20s, with two on‐ Democratic President‐ Vernon, a group calling Montpelier, VT, No‐ themselves Green Mountain vember 10th, 2008‐ If going, unpopular wars elect Barack Obama Earth First! challenged the afoot, with the econ‐ (who received 67.4% there were ever a year Vermont Public Service omy crashing harder of the VT vote), this for an incumbent Re‐ board at their State Street than the US has seen was the year that the office in Montpelier Mon- publican Governor to since the Great De‐ left hoped to demon‐ day morning. Dressed as be shown the door it pression, and with strate definitively that elves and Santa Claus, the was 2008. With Presi‐ group entered the office in- droves of Vermonters Jim does not equal dent George W. Bush’s sisting that the Public Ser- going to the polls to jobs and that Jim Vermont approval rat‐ vice Board (PSB) revoke enthusiastically place represents the same ing hovering in the (Continued Page 17) their bet with the now (Continued on P. 10) RALLY AT STATE HOUSE MAY 1st, 2009. HEALTHCARE! VERMONT’S ECONOMY IN CRISIS THE SHRINKING JOB MARKET & THE REAL NUMBERS Part 1 in a 2 part series What little we hear about the Ver- mont economy from TV or newspapers Call In Sick! By Vermont Economist Doug Hoffer is limited to a few simple measures May 1st, 2009 such as the unemployment rate, job Burlington, VT- I don’t pretend to P.7 know what’s happening on Wall Street growth, and per capita income. But these are all terms of art and can be Catamount Tavern News (who does?). But I do know something Vermont’s Only misleading. For example, the unem- about what’s happening in Vermont Union Affiliated and I would like to share some infor- ployment rate is a very limited meas- Newspaper, mation with you. Some of it is a little ure. Lithographers Local 1L Teamsters wonky but almost everything seems *If you have not actively looked for Circulation: 1200+ complicated compared to the superfi- work in the last four weeks, then you cial coverage we get in the mainstream Statewide are not considered part of the labor Est. Winter 2003 media. Stay with me. (Continued on Page 14) VT POPULATION: 623,908 Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 2

Notes From The Editor, What is The With the election of Democrat Barak Obama to US Catamount President, hope is running high among working people that we, as a nation, will turn a corner, get out of Tavern? Iraq, and put the people, and not the rich, first. But is Obama, the fist Black President, up for the In the task? Can he turn back the looming Depression? Will The Catamount Tavern he tow the line of his Wall Street big money sup- 1770’s there porters, or will he take the road of FDR & and a New Deal? was a pub in Bennington, VT Would Black Panther Fred Hampton have voted for Obama? My guess to the last question is no, although he certainly called the Green Mountain would have distained McCain. Real change, if it does come, Tavern (informally known as will come from below anyway. So let us keep the heat on. –CT the Catamount Tavern because

of a stuffed mountain lion lo- cated outside). It was within it’s walls that the Green Moun- Is a worker-owned, union affiliated newspaper (Lithographers Local tain Boys planned a revolu- 1L-Teamsters). We, the Staff of CT News, believe that journalism best serves the community when it challenges capitalist policy and power; tion. . . . The rest is history. not when it repeats it as spoken by its advocates. With this in mind, CT News pledges to print factual, honest, hard hitting news which is writ- ten from the perspective of the working class Vermonter. CT News is available at the following locations: Our publication supports the building of a Vermont wherein regu- NORTHEAST KINGDOM lar and frequent Town Meetings, in cooperation with directly democ- Newport: Newport Natural Foods, Derby: ratic worker and farmer unions, are the basic decision making bodies TBA, St. Johnsbury: The Co-op, Glover: of the Green Mountains. We intend on helping to build this society General Store, Bread & Puppet Museum, West Glover: Lake Parker Country Store, based on basic principles of equality, wherein all persons have, among Hardwick: Buffalo Mtn Co-op, East Hard- other things, access to decent housing, healthy food, acceptable health wick: The Gas Station care, quality childcare, higher education, and meaningful jobs.

NORTHERN VERMONT Swanton: TBA, Alburg: TBA, Winooski: THIS IS FREEDOM & UNITY The Cafe, Burlington: West African Gro- cery, City Market, Muddy Water’s, Radio Bean, Peace & Justice Center, Food Catamount Tavern News The Republic of Vermont 1777-1791 Not Bombs News Editor: David Van Deusen, Montpelier, Vermont CAPITAL REGION Photo & Image Editor: Jeremy Ripin Montpelier: Hunger Mtn Co-op, Langdon Street Café, Downstairs Video, Matt’s, Obituaries Editor: Xavier Massot M&M Beverage, Barre: Dente’s, Barre Staff Writers: Traven Leyshon, Jacob “Black Jack” Banis, Natasha Books, LACE, Middlesex: Middlesex Coun- Voline, Jeremy Ripin, David Crawford Milton try Store, Moretown: The General Store Special War Correspondent: Jake From Rutland CENTRAL VERMONT White River Junction: Bus Station, Spring- Contributing Writers: Jaqelyn Rieke, Will Dunbar, Doug Hoffer, field: Citgo Station, Rutland: The Co-op, Nancy Welch, Helen Scott, Slug, Will Bennington Coffee Shop, Bristol: The Café, Middle- Contributing Copy Editor: Beth Cate bury: The Co-op. Layout: David Van Deusen SOUTHERN VERMONT Bennington; South Street Café, Bennington Contributing Distribution Coordinator: Will Dunbar Pizza, Old Books, Marlboro: Sweeties, Editor Emeritus: Jonna Jamie, Jack Dunken Marlboro College, Putney: The Co-op, Bel- Publisher: The Lynch Hill Compound lows Falls: The Coffee Shop, Guilford:, The Country Store, Brattleboro: Gougers, The News Service: Vermont Independent Media Center (a Co-operative)

CT News Masthead By Xavier Massot Indian Grocery, Kipling's (aka Mike’s), Printer: First Step Printing (Lithographers Local 1L-Teamsters shop) The Hemp Store, Mocha Joe’s, Everyone’s Books, The Weathervane Contact Us With Submissions, Letters & News Tips: Email: [email protected] & GENERAL STORES IN BETWEEN! CT News, PO Box 76, Montpelier, VT, 05601, USA- Vermont Worker s’& Farmers’ News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 3

V ERMONT WORKERS’ & FARMERS’ NEWS VT Milk Commission Falters would go a long way in helping the Milk Commission, headed by farmers get through bad times, Roger Allbee, a Jim Douglas ap- and would kick the processers in pointee, appears to be second the ass a bit for the ongoing and guessing their own figures and historical low pay given to farmers have decided to hold more hear- for their raw milk. The original ings before they decide what, if findings of the commission were anything,by Jeremy Photo Ripin to do. that the processers would be able to afford this charge, and that it The next hearing will be held Staff Writer would not need to be past on to on November 18th, others are ex- consumers. pected to follow. CT News strongly St. Johnsbury, VT –The Vermont urges all dairy farmers to attend Milk Commission is currently con- However, at a recent hearing these meetings and to make their sidering whether or not to man- the processors and the large gro- voice heard! For detailed infor- date a premium for retail milk cers provided “professional” testi- mation on the hearings (location/ sold in Vermont. The proposed mony stating that they could not time/etc) go to the Vermont Milk premium would be paid by the afford to the fee and that if it were Commission’s web page at: milk processers, and would be implemented, they would be www.vermontagriculture.com/ transferred directly to farmers as forced to pass the cost down the milkcommission or call the De- a way to stabilize their income. chain consumers. After listening to partment of Agriculture at: Advocates contend that this fund this not-so-surprising testimony, 828-2426 –CT

Faculty Union Wins Victory at UVM By Helen Scott and Nancy Welch, United Academics-AFT/AAUP

ulty governance and academic free‐ leader Tony Bradley. dom but it also gained ground in These lessons‐‐strong rank‐and‐ crucial areas for both tenure‐track file involvement, preparation for a and non‐tenure‐track faculty. public battle, rejecting the logic of The deal includes a 15 percent concessionary bargaining‐‐will be salary increase over three years, a important for the part‐time faculty 37‐percent increase in professional union as well as the staff union on development funds and new paid campus, and for other upcoming parental and family leave provisions regional labor struggles. BURLINGTON, Vt.‐‐Members of that bargaining team member Beth Colin Robinson of the Vermont United Academics‐AFT/AAUP won Mintz called "the best in the coun‐ Livable Wage Campaign said, "With an important victory at the Univer‐ try." multiple contracts coming up this sity of Vermont, voting 214‐to‐1 in “[The administration] realized year in Burlington, it is exciting that favor of a new three‐year contract that faculty were prepared to fight United Academics has reached a for full‐time faculty on September long and hard over these issues, and contract that sets such a great 25. that the ensuing discussion would precedent in the struggle to make The contract not only defeated revolve around the millions the uni‐ Vermont truly livable for workers." administration attempts to roll back versity has chosen to spend on mat‐ *To read the full text of this arti‐ retiree benefits, reduce paid sab‐ ters that do not significantly affect cle on the web check out the Social‐ batical leaves and undermine fac‐ teaching and research," said union ist Workers at: socialistworker.org Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 4 Other Vermont News

SECOND VERMONT SEPARATIST CONVENTION HELD IN STATE HOUSE

By Jeremy Ripin ist cently publicly denounced the League of the South’s racist stand, questions Moretown, VT- The results of the latest still arise about the sustainability of the national election show that people want Vermont secession movement. With the change. It is no wonder with the ever last eight years almost behind us and a growing economic crisis, large federal new Obama administration around the bailouts to Wall Street corporations, and corner, will Vermonters still look to the continuation of two foreign wars, secession? that people feel the United States is a When asked if the movement is con- “sinking ship”. On November 2nd tinuing to grow and the effect the new about 150 people gathered at the Ver- presidency will have, separatist and mont State House for the 2nd Vermont WGDR radio commentator Jim Hogue Secession Convention to discuss and Protesters At Generalstated, “TheDynamics secession movement per se rally support for Vermont independ- VT State House, Montpelier is not growing, but the aspects of sur- ence. vival (sustainability, etc.) are growing.” The convention sponsored by the “The Obama presidency will have no Second Vermont Republic (SVR) and gubernatorial candidate, Peter Dia- effect I hope…Obama was supported by the Middlebury Institute for the study of mondstone (Liberty Union Party), atten- Wall Street and has chosen those who separatism, secession, and self- dance was down from a reported 300 caused the collapse to run the country.” determination, featured many speakers. attendees at the first convention in Many acknowledge that an Obama The list included many of the usual 2005. presidency will not likely bring radical faces associated with Vermont separa- A poll conducted by UVM in 2006 change to the country. The convention tism; Kirkpatrick Sale, Rob Williams, suggested that 8% of Vermonters sup- theme “The Vermont Village Green: and SVR founder Thomas Naylor. ported secession. That number grew to Alternative to Empire” invokes imagery Other speakers included author James 13% in 2007 poll also conducted by of greater localization and self- Howard Kunstler, Alaskan Independ- UVM. However, controversy entangled sustainability. This is an idea that is ence Party chair Lynette Clark, as well SVR when an anonymous blogger re- growing in the wake of the recent eco- as performances by Bread & Puppet and vealed the organization’s close ties to nomic events. It seems as long as the Pete Sutherland and friends. the southern white supremacist group United States continues on the same Despite widespread advertisement the League of the South. course there will always be people look- for the event and even a plug by social- Although Thomas Naylor has re- ing to “jump ship.” -CT

*For Daily News & Buy Union, Buy Local! Coverage of World & National Events Check Out

The Independent

Media Center NEED A PRINTER? First Step Print Shop On The Web at: [email protected]

Phone: (802) 899-2021 www.indymedia.org

*Vermont’s only union print shop, Teamsters Local 1L Other Vermont News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 5

STUDENTS DEMAND DIVESTMENT 170+ Attend VWC Workshops on Anti‐racism FROM WAR PROFITEERS/ & Building A Social Justice Movement VERMONTERS RALLY AT STATE HOUSE

By VT Workers’ Center

Burlington, VT- From October 25 - November 2nd the Ver- mont Workers' Center held seven workshops around the state on Anti-racism & Build- By S. JAKE ing A Social Justice Move- ment with trainers from the Winooski, VT -On October 24th, over 100 Catalyst Project. Participants UVM students held a demonstration against included high school and col- the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in front of the lege students, teachers, union university’s administrative building. The pro- leaders, state employees, retirees, Americorp volunteers and Vermont testers, let by a group called Students Against non-profit staff. Here's what one participant sent us: War, soon entered the Waterman Building and approached the President’s office. There they "I just got back from the Anti-Racist Conference with the Catalyst delivered a list of six corporations (DynCorp, Project and am so energized! I brought 8 kids and an ELL teacher, all of General Dynamics, Halliburton, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon) whom are interested in taking the knowledge they learned today and which they demanded be divested from bringing it back to our school. Barre has not traditionally been kind to UVM’s investment portfolio. The students people of color, even though they have a history of heavy immigration to contend that these corporations are war profi- the area, including radicals from Italy and France. For most of us, it isn’t teers, increasing their profits as the body count fear or not liking those that are not like us that creates the racism, but grows higher, and that UVM has no place sometimes a pure lack of knowledge or ignorance. I’ve seen an increase piggy backing profit off their immoral capital- in behaviors from students who are listening to some incredible hate filled ist activities. The demands were accepted by attacks on Blacks and other people of color in the media and are not real the university’s Vice President of Finance, sure what to do with this information. They are confused. This confer- Richard Cate, which said their concerns would ence has helped me harness some ideas to help direct these students with be taken under consideration. the help of our now core group of anti-racists! One student said she learned more about history today than she has in entire classes. Another The rally hosted a number of speakers in- said her head was spinning she learned so much. There was learning on cluding Charlotte Dennett of the Progressive Party & VT AFL-CIO, as well as Anthony the part of the adults in the room, as well. Our students brought a per- Pollina. Student leaders also addressed the spective that could not have been replaced. Thanks Worker’s Center for crowd. “From now on, we’re making demands bringing this important Anti-Racism Conference to central Vermont." on them, and they’re compromising to us, and that begins right here!” declared student Ben - Amy Lester, School Counselor, Spaulding High School and Barre Technical Center Silverman before a cheering crowd.

The VWC is holding a major statewide Human Rights Conference *** on December 13th at the University of Vermont, which will feature Three days later, on October 27th, another workshops on anti-racism & Healthcare. Online registration will begin anti-war demonstration was held in the Capi- soon. www.workerscenter.org –CT tal, Montpelier. There, over 50 Vermonters gathered in front of the State House demand-

ing an immeadiate end to the wars. Present were a number of union members, as well as “I am resolutely determined to defend the independence of folk from the Progressive Party. In 2003 more Vermont… rather then fail I will retire with hardy Green than 3000 people rallied against the war in Iraq Mountain Boys into the desolate caverns of the mountains, also at the State House. Polls indicate that Ver- monters overwhelmingly are in opposition to and wage war with human nature at large.” -Ethan Allen the continuing conflict in Iraq. –CT Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 6

BURLINGTON FOOD NOT BOMBS FEEDS HUNGRY, BUILDS COMMUNITY

By Will Bennington so entrapped by. “We are saying ‘we don’t need your money’ says Burlington, VT- Hunger is a serious Kylie Vanerstrom, a student and problem worldwide and locally in dedicated FNBer, “Politicians can the Green Mountains. Anyone who fund billion dollar a day wars, but says otherwise is ignoring the facts. they can’t feed the people. This is a According to the Vermont Cam- failure of democracy.” paign to End Childhood Hunger, 70,600 individuals in Vermont, in- While the group has received an cluding 19,000 children, are “food outpouring of community support, insecure” (vtnohunger.org). Many the authorities do not embrace households and individuals, while being cooked? Salvaged food do- FNB as openly. They have been having access to some form of food, nated from City Market, the local threatened with shutdowns multi- do not have access to nutritious food co-op, Digger’s Mirth and ple times, reasons varying from food. Think about this for a min- Pitchfork farms, Boloco restaurant, violation of municipal permit codes ute. and, of course, the friendly Hanna- to attracting too many homeless people. However, the members as- Now, go to your local Hanna- “They have been threat- sert their right to serve free food, ford’s or other supermarket, or ened with shutdowns mul- and are currently discussing the any restaurant, and check out the tiple times, reasons varying issue with the District Attorney and dumpster. What do you see? Most the Mayor’s office. “We may move likely, especially if you live in Bur- from violation of munici- for the winter, but we will not go lington, you see a bountiful garden pal permit codes to attract- away,” says Doolittle. of produce that, while not accept- ing too many homeless able to the paying customer, is per- Food Not Bombs serves a free, fectly nutritious and safe to eat. people.” hot vegetarian meal every Sunday at 1 p.m. in City Hall Park, Burlington, While policy makers may take VT. Food Not Bombs is also avail- ford’s compost. years to realize that there is a sim- able for large events such as pro- ple solution to hunger problems in tests and other non-violent actions, “We are an anti-authoritarian, Vermont, a group of dedicated in- non-violent disorganization,” says celebrations or other events. –CT dividuals-students, farmers, artists Amy Doolittle, one of the founding and other community members- members of Food Not Bombs in *Contact Burlington Food Not have gotten together to help out Burlington. “We are people help- Bombs via email at: wben- their community members in need. ing people.” [email protected]

Acting under Food Not Bombs Food Not Bombs, which has [Note from CT News: It seems a International, a group founded in been largely associated with anar- travesty that such a group should the 80s in Cambridge, MA around chists in the past, operates under be faced with legal hurdles and protests at the Seabrook Nuclear consensus: what few decisions that harassment by city officials and po- Power Plant, these activists get to- need to be made are agreed upon lice given the fact that the Mayor of gether every Saturday night to turn by everyone, or the group does not Burlington as well as many City a friends kitchen into a scene famil- move forward. Operating with lit- Councilors are members of the iar to anyone who has spent time in tle to no funding (outside of the oc- Progressive Party. CT News im- a commercial kitchen: food scraps casional donation) and no permits, plores the Major, Bob Kiss, and the everywhere, even more food, chop- Food Not Bombs is standing up to City Council to do the right thing ping, stirring, mixing, hot ovens, the military industrial complex and and publically support the efforts and good conversation. What is bureaucracy that many people feel of Food Not Bombs.] Other Vermont News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 7 Brattleboro Demands Healthcare! Citizens Testify on Healthcare Crisis/Demand Reform

Vermont AFL‐CIO Backs Healthcare Campaign

Staff Writer

By David Van Deusen chael’s Episcopal Church in tleboro, others are being Catamount Tavern News Service, Col‐ Brattleboro (pop. 13,000). planned for the Northeast Brattleboro, VT – It is esti‐ chester, VT‐ On September 14th the And based on the testi‐ Kingdom, Barre, Rutland, & mated that 11% of Ver‐ Vermont AFL‐CIO (10,000 members) mony of many citizens, Burlington. The Workers’ mont’s population unanimously passed a resolution reaf‐ Brattleboro wants health‐ Center openly advocates (600,000+) is without firming their support for a state based care for all. on behalf of common Ver‐ health insurance, and single payer healthcare system and monters, who they say many tens of thousands went on to give their full backing to the The Workers’ Center, have a basic human right more who are insured are itself a coalition of labor to healthcare. And since Vermont Workers’ Center “Healthcare Is struggling to finance sky‐ unions and community last May 1st 2007, volun‐ a Human Right” campaign. The cam‐ rocketing premiums, and organizations representing teers and allies of the Cen‐ paign, among other things, has been co‐pays. On the evening of over 25,000 working Ver‐ ter have been on the building a grassroots organization September 25th the Ver‐ monters, is seeking to en‐ streets of most the larger across Vermont and has called for a mont Workers’ Center held gage the public in the towns and on many job statewide “Call In Sick Day” to coincide its first of a series of public healthcare debate. Besides with a planned demonstration in the hearings on the issue of the public hearing in Brat‐ (Continued Next Page) healthcare at the St. Mi‐ capital on May fist, 2009. ‐CT

Vermont Liberty Union Party CALL IN SICK! May 1, 2009 Endorses ‘Healthcare Is A Human Right’ Campaign SMALL BUISSINESSES, Staff Writer

CLOSE DOWN! Norwich, VT- On September 7, 2008, the Vermont Liberty Union Party Demonstrate in Montpelier, (which is affiliated with the Socialist Party USA) unanimously passed a at State House for resolution stating their support for the ‘Healthcare is a Human Right’ Healthcare For All! campaign as being organized by the Vermont Workers’ Center and allied BE PART OF THIS labor organizations. Leading up un- til the 2008 election, the Liberty HISTORIC DAY! (Continued Next Page) CatamountVermont Workers’&Tavern News/Fall-Winter Farmers’ News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 2006 Page 88

(Liberty Union, From Previous Page) (Brattleboro Demands Healthcare From Previous Page) sites asking folk to fill out a survey about their ex‐ Union was one of the four perience with healthcare. They are on pace to have recognized “major parties” over 1500 done by December, and are planning a in the Green Mountains. Healthcare is a Human Right convention at UVM in Their strongest candidate in Burlington on December 13th where their findings 2008 was Jerry Levy, who will be unveiled. ran for State Auditor and re- The Brattleboro hearing, co‐sponsored by Ver‐ ceived 10,788 votes or 3.7%. mont the Citizens Campaign For Health organization

& the Child Labor Education and Action group, The Healthcare is a Hu- had more than 50 local people in attendance. Those man Right campaign seeks to assembled gave testimony about their experiences build a grassroots movement towards the establishment of a universal, single-payer health- with healthcare to a listening panel composed of care system at the state level. To date the Vermont Workers’ Bonnie Chase, RN, Nurses Union President at the Center, located in the Old North End of Burlington, has sur- Brattleboro Retreat, Kathleen Clark, RN, Vice Presi‐ veyed over 800 Vermonters regarding their current health- dent of the Brattleboro Federation of Nurses at the care, or lack thereof. In addition, the organization has held a Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Daniel Herlocker, number of healthcare hearing across the state, and plan to RN, also a union member at the Brattleboro Memo‐ hold more in the coming months. On December 13th their rial Hospital, the Reverend Lise Sparrow, minister at findings will be presented to the public at a healthcare con- the Guilford Community Church, Rosa Palmeri of ference to be held in Burlington at the UVM Davis Center. Child Labor Education & Action, and Dianne Cham‐ Workers’ Center organizers are already anticipating a mas- pion Brattleboro District Director of the Vermont sive rally for healthcare at the State House in Montpelier on Department of Health. st May 1 , 2009. The Center is also calling on all Vermont One of the first Vermonters to speak was Nancy workers (union & non-union) to “call in sick” on the day of Hodecker. She told the panel that her husband had the anticipated rally. to have his tongue cut out, and soon after died, be‐ cause he did not have health insurance. He first no‐ The full text of the Liberty Union resolution on healthcare ticed a small sore on his tongue. But since he did not is as follows: have health insurance and because money was tight, he resisted going to a doctor for four months. “The Liberty Union Party supports the ‘Healthcare is a It turned out that he had developed class four can‐ Human Right’ campaign of the Vermont Workers’ Center and cer. Further: Dwayne Young, a local logger, testified that it is ironic how he has one of the most dangerous jobs “We require that government ought to move in the direction of around, but since he is insured while on the job, he assuring that the wealth and resources of the world will be used doesn’t worry about it. What scares him is the to provide a materially secure life including socialized medicine thought of something happening out on the streets, for all the people of this planet, simultaneously preserving the out of the woods –where, until recently, he was not planet and its resources for future generations.” -CT insured. Young explained that he recently signed up for Catamount Health. ------*To read the Vermont Liberty Union Party platform, and to learn more Besides Nancy and Dwayne, many Vermonters about the organization take a look at: www.libertyunionparty.org talked about the problems poor & working people face with the current healthcare system, about ex‐ *To learn more about the Healthcare is a Human Right campaign or to periencing discrimination for having Medicaid/ get involved call the Vermont Workers’ Center at; (802) 861-2877, look on the web at: www.workerscenter.org, or stop by 284 N. Winooski, Bur- Medicare, about undue burdens of paperwork and lington. bureaucracy, about being hard working people and still not being able to afford medical treatment. CatamountOther Vermont Tavern News/Fall-Winter News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 2006 PagePage 9 9

The final person to pre‐ lence,” Leah read. to change the political dis- sent testimony was Leah The testimony concluded course across the Green Swanson. Leah, a Brattle‐ Mountains whereby what is boro High School senior, right becomes what is possi- read a moving letter to the ble –not the other way panel from a local woman around; i.e. healthcare for who wished to remain all. The Vermont Workers’ anonymous. The letter re‐ Center is also planning, what called in chilling detail how Having Trouble With she was compelled to stay in they hope will be, a massive The Boss? a relationship with a man with, “Somehow, someway, demonstration in the Capital, Fired Without Cause? st who beat her so that her 6 we must gather enough sup- Montpelier, on May 1 , Didn’t Get Paid? year old daughter could port to provide health cover- 2009 in support of single- Want To Start A Union? age for everyone so that sto- continue having life saving payer healthcare. In collu- Call The Workers’ ries like mine never happen treatments for her cancer. sion with the demonstration Rights Hotline again. You have the capa- Although the abusive hus‐ With All Your bility to do something about the Center is calling on all band was also the little girl’s this. Please don’t turn working Vermonters, both Questions! father, he told his wife that away.” union and nonunion, to “Call (802) 861-2877 if she left he would cancel The overall message of In Sick” on that day, and for his family healthcare plan; the evening was that Ver- small independent busi- this would be akin to a mont has many good rea- nesses to voluntarily close death sentence for the sons, both moral and eco- down. To date this campaign child. –The battered nomic, to establish a social- mother, in the shadow of 7 ized universal single-payer has been endorsed by the recurrences of the child’s healthcare system whereby Vermont AFL-CIO and the cancer, stayed in this night‐ every Vermonter can get the socialist Vermont Liberty marish relationship for 22 medical treatment they need. Union Party. It is expected years. The hearings were that other unions, commu- “The time has come to brought to a close by James nity organizations, and po- CT News Works provide some relief for vic- Haslam, Director of the Ver- litical parties will follow suit tims of domestic violence. mont Workers’ Center. Mr. In Cooperation in the coming months.–CT If that one hurdle of the Haslam called healthcare a With The Ver- health insurance had not “human right” and declared been placed in my way, I not mont Indy Media *For more information on only could have gotten my that these hearings would be the Healthcare is a Human Center child through her cancer held all across the state, cul- Right Campaign & the Ver- treatments, but she would minating in the healthcare mont Workers’ Center look not have been subject to all www.vtindy convention at UVM. Ac- them up on the web at:: those added years of having cording to Haslam, the www.vermontworkerscenter.org media.org to witness domestic vio- Workers’ Center is seeking

The Langdon Street Café Montpelier A Worker Cooperative Beer, Coffee, Live Music Open 8AM to Midnight Daily Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 10

(Election Cont. From Cover) to the Douglas juggernaut, about Symington setting her- failed policies that have The plate tectonics of Ver- and appeared amateurish and self up for a position in the doomed us from DC on mont politics did not drasti- uncomfortable in the debates. new Obama administration. down. After all, Douglas was cally shift in this election, but Her failure to connect with Speculation? Time will tell, if the chair of the local Bush if anyone felt some soft trem- working Vermonters, her in- this rumor has any legs. election team in 2004, and ors (as the Democratic Party ability to speak to the con- has consistently supported leadership surely did!), it was cerns of regular people, per- In the aftermath of the Republican endorsed privati- brought on by Progressive haps, has been equaled only Douglas victory, both Pro- zation schemes (the latest turned Independent Anthony by such fellow millionaires as gressives and Democrats are being the failed attempt to Pollina who, on a shoe string Jack McMullen and Richard already jockeying for politi- lease the Vermont Lottery to budget and with a solid grass- Tarrent. Reflecting these fail- cal positions in the 2010 gen- a for-profit, out-of-state cor- roots effort, beat out the De- ures, the usually solid De- eral election. Pollina, who as poration). But with more than mocrat (and 4 other folks) for mocratic labor unions lined recently as 2007 served as the 1.25 million dollars in his re- a second place finish in the up not behind Symington, but party’s chair and who was election war chest, and with contest for Governor. Pollina behind Pollina. While Gaye actively supported by the Pollina having to fight with (who was endorsed by the did manage to gain the en- party even as an Independent, Symington for the anti- Abenaki Nation as well as the dorsement of the Teamsters has gone on record saying Republican vote, Douglas, Gun Owners of Vermont) (representing more than 1000 that he will consider another once again, won out over all finished with 21.8%, or ap- Vermonters), all other major run. In the days immediately common sense with 53.4% of proximately 300 more votes unions (NEA with 10,000 following the election Pollina the vote. than received by former De- plus members, VT AFL-CIO told WDEV and Vermont mocratic VT House Speaker 10,000 members, and VSEA Public Radio that Progs and In the number two slot Gaye Symington. Pollina’s 8000 members) backed An- Democrats should get behind Republican incumbent Brian campaign centered around thony. Running a campaign a consensus candidate, based Dubie also won his 4th for supporting small farmers and as she did, Symington would on small ‘p’ progressive is- Lieutenant Governor, captur- working Vermonters through have been lucky to win a seat sues. Undoubtedly, he is ing 55%. The Douglas & Du- state investment in agricul- on her local Select Board, let placing himself on the short- bie victories were expected, ture & infrastructure, estab- alone the State’s top job. In list of such potential uniters. although a number of polls, lishing a livable minimum short, she could not have Concretely Anthony has said some as late as October, pre- wage, state sponsored univer- done a worse job of ousting that he will spend a few dicted Douglas would finish sal healthcare, and Vermont Douglas if she intentionally weeks thinking about what to with less than a clear major- owned renewable green en- tried. She, and not Anthony, do next, and is yet to lay ity (therefore sending the race ergy. But Pollina only man- played the role of spoiler, not down the hard conditions to the VT Legislator). The aged to raise $233,000 to so much as her combined upon which a Progressive- remainder of the statewide support his cause (mostly by vote totals would have other- Democratic alliance can be races went solidly Democrat, small in-state donations), wise thrown Pollina over the made. Undoubtedly Anthony with some minor in-roads (as while Douglas held over a top (it would not), but more is looking at the recent fusion far as vote percentages are million, and Symington by siphoning off money, me- ticket in the Chittenden concerned) made by a slate of $494,000. These fundraising dia coverage, and other re- County State Senate race, social-democratic oriented disparities ultimately hurt sources that would otherwise where Progressive Burlington Progressive Party challeng- Pollina. Early on Anthony have fallen to the advantage City Councilman, Tim Ashe, ers. The Vermont Liberty informed CT News that he of the Pollina camp. Pollina, successfully captured both Union (which is affiliated felt he needed to raise some- running against Jim with no the Democratic and Prog with the Socialist Party USA) thing close to a cool million Democrat nipping at his nomination, and went on to also ran a full slate but failed to be competitive –a figure heals, may not have won win a seat in that body to win any races. The politi- that was solidly out of reach (Vermonters are known to (becoming the first Prog to cal make up of the General once Symington entered the stick with incumbents), but do so). With Pollina already Assembly (overwhelmingly contest. he could have made it inter- dropping the “Progressive” Democrat, with 6 Progres- esting. As for Symington, label and opting to present sives, and less than a third of Democrat Gaye Syming- insiders are whispering that himself as a Independent, it is the remaining seats taken by ton, for her part, ran one of this was never about winning. not a far stretch to imagine a Republican minority) re- the worst gubernatorial cam- This was about the Democ- him trying to gain the De- mains largely as it has been paigns in recent memory. She ratic leadership attempting to mocratic endorsement by en- for the last two years; on the failed to articulate an interest- marginalize the Progressive tering that party’s primary in center-left. ing or believable alternative Party, and, more personally, 2010. However, Anthony has Other Vermont News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 11 enough guts and political Dem power brokers), and a gressives choose to field a absorbed by the massive De- foresight not to jump in the loss there would make him, viable candidate, the list is mocratic Party as a relatively shark pool as a “Democrat” and the left in general, appear also short. Popular Burlington powerless sub-caucus. alone. Rather, it is more likely weak. In this scenario Pollina Representative David Zucker- that he will follow Ashe’s would be wise to stay out of man, an organic farmer, has If an alliance is to be example by seeking both the the inner party Democratic expressed interest in the office forged it will probably consist Prog and Dem nods. showdown. And, for reasons in the past, but seems more of deal concerning any open further discussed below, he poised to assume an in-state statewide races. If Leahy de- As to whether or not this would do well to keep out of party leadership position. cides to run again, and/or if option becomes a realistic the contest altogether, if it What is likely is that the Douglas also decides to try possibility will depend on turns out to be a Democratic Progs will not run in the race. for a 5th term, there will not who the Republican candidate free-for-all. Again, without a serious Prog be much room for either party will be in the next election. If in the contest, the advantage to maneuver. This being said, Douglas goes for a 5th term, Why would Douglas not would be toward the Democ- in a status quo election the the Democrats will believe run again? CT News has been rat over the Republican (as Dems may give Pollina the that he cannot be beat, and informed by a very reliable Vermonters tend to like their nod, but only because they may support a Pollina Prog/ source that Democrat Pat Congressmen left-of-center). believe it to be in their long Dem fusion ticket. In this sce- Leahy is strongly considering term benefit and because they nario the Democratic Party retiring from the US Senate in Specific candidate specula- think he will lose. However, if leadership will bet on a solid 2010. If this were to happen tion aside, the question re- the field opens up and Doug- Pollina defeat, and they will smart money is that Douglas mains; can or even should the las is out of the picture for further calculate that a loss will seek a ticket to Washing- Progressives seek to form an Governor, it is possible that under those conditions (where ton. But could Douglas win? alliance with the Democrats in an agreement can be reached the Dems cannot be painted as It depends on who is running 2010? And if so, what would whereby the Progs keep out of obstructionist by those to their against him. If Democratic such an alliance look like? the Governor and Congres- left) will drive the death nail Congressman Peter Welch Many liberal leaning Democ- sional races, in exchange for a into Pollina’s electoral coffin. enters the fray, it will be rat Party activists have been free run at any open down This is what they will figure, close, with Welch likely com- clamoring for a merging of ticket races (Zuckerman for but they have been known to ing out on top. the two parties (the Progres- LT Gov?, Former VSEA be very wrong in the past. Re- sive Democratic Party of Ver- President, Ed Stanic for State member, it was the same party And if Welch’s US House mont?). Such a possibility is Treasurer?). A reasonable that thought Bernie Sanders, seat were again up for grabs? not without precedent. The chance for Progressive down our current socialist US Sena- The Vermont Republican old left wing Farmer-Labor ticket victories would be the tor, was a one term phenom- Party bench is not on the ma- Party of Minnesota, who rose reward for keeping Pollina out ena as Burlington’s lefty jor league level. Few politicos to prominence electing many of the Governor’s contest. mayor back in 81’). come to mind that have more members to state office in the than a minor league future. 1920/30s, eventually merged And again, if Anthony If, on the other hand, Beyond Douglas and Dubie, with the state Democratic does not enter the race for Douglas is not running for the only State Senator Dianne Party, forming the center-left Governor in two years, what top spot, the alleged heavy Snelling, Representative Democratic Farmer-Labor will he do? Among other hitters of the Democratic Randy Brock, former Adju- Party that continues to operate things there should be little Party will crawl out from the tant General Martha Rainville, (at least in name) to this very doubt that he will continue to proverbial donkey’s ass and and NEK Senator Vince Il- day. Former US Senator and organize farmers and give not only will they turn their luzzi appear ready to step to Vice President Walter Mon- support to labor as he has back on Pollina, but they will the plate of a statewide elec- dale hailed from this hybrid constantly done for the last 20 have a tough primary contest tion. Of these, Rainville and party, as did the late US Sena- years. But in the electoral amongst themselves. In this Dubie would be the top likely tor Paul Wellstone. But so far arena Pollina should strongly scenario look for a primary contenders for the Congres- no one in the Progressive consider a run at the Vermont matching former State Sena- sional seat. On the Democ- Party leadership is talking full State Senate for Washington tor Matt Dunne against State ratic side one should look to merger. And even if such a County. Anthony, a resident Treasurer Jeb Spaulding. Pol- Windom County State Sena- merger were proposed it of Middlesex, did very well in lina could, in theory, enter the tor Peter Shumlin or State would most certainly be re- Washington County in 08.’ Democratic primary against Auditor Tom Salmon, with sisted by grassroots Progres- He won the capital city of these two, but the odds would the labor allied Floyd Nease sives who would fear the like- Montpelier outright as well as be against him (as would the as the dark Horse. If the Pro- lihood of themselves being a number of other towns. He Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 12 at. While the Progs retained build strong relations with for State Auditor & Dennett’s four House seats, gained a young apprentices in the la- 5.1% for Attorney General. new one (from Brattleboro), bor movement, and other Of these, only Charlotte Den- and sent their first party working class youth who are nett ran an active campaign member to the State Senate, commonly employed in low with a minimum of small ra- Pollina they also suffered a number wage service jobs. One way dio ads. When compared to of harsh losses. Former party or another, the Progs need to similar races in 2002, where is well known throughout the staffer Chris Pearson lost his chart a course guaranteeing the party’s nominee for Gov- area, thanks in large part to post as State Representative that a new generation is ready ernor finished with less than his WDEV AM radio talk from Burlington to 22 year and able not only to support 1%, and its candidate for At- show Equal Time, and has old student Democrat Kesha them in their campaigns, but torney General ended with very positive relations with Ram. In the Northeast King- capable and willing to fill 4.9%, a modest upward tra- area labor councils, farmers, dom, dairy farmer Dexter new leadership roles as cir- jectory appears clear. and organizers. He could win Randal was unseated by a cumstances demand. Failure this race (much as Bernie Republican. And in half a to do so would be detrimental Beyond its core vote the won the Burlington Mayor’s dozen other races, they failed to the party’s future (and a party has a peripheral or race in 81) and use this post to win new ground. boon to the Democrats). qualified constituency of up- to position himself as the ward of 25% (based on Pol- “conscience” of the General Person’s loss was due to a As far as other local lina’s last two campaigns). Assembly. As a high profile massive UVM student turn- losses are concerned, there is This, on top of the fact that State Senator he would still out which strongly favored no clear one-size-fits-all an- they can rally a majority in a have the ear of Vermonters, recent student body president swer. Every party over the number of small towns and and he could bring many of Kesha Ram. What should be course of several elections large population centers (i.e. his innovative ideas to the disturbing to the Progs is not will have its ups and downs. Brattleboro, Montpelier, & State House (i.e. the Vermont the fact that Pearson lost per However, when your party is Burlington), makes them a credit card, the 2% institu- se, but that he clearly lost the only a decade old, and when serious player in Vermont tional investment in local in- student vote. This district, it you only have half a dozen politics; especially so in Win- frastructure, built in prefer- must be recalled, was an seats in government, you can- dom, Washington, & Chitten- ences for in-state union bids) early stronghold of the bud- not afford too many down den Counties. But the goal is and back them up by pressure ding Progressive movement elections. And again, in this not to reach one fourth of the from a motivated constitu- for the very reason that they year of economic troubles, it people. The goal is to win ency from below. He would could count on the students seemed natural that Progres- concrete gains for working also be in a good position to for their support (both Pear- sive candidates for the Legis- people and farmers. And if re-enter statewide contests in son and Zuckerman, who is lator would do better than this party is to play an elec- the future if and when the also from this district, are two years ago. This was not toral role in such victories conditions appear ripe. But UVM graduates). The fact altogether the case. Perhaps (however they may shape after three major runs at that the students rejected Pollina’s calculated move to up), it should not only deal statewide office, and two Chris in favor of a Democrat drop the Prog label had the with the Democrats (be that decades of community orga- (even if it is one of their own) negative effect of shortening in an alliance or in clear un- nizing, it is hard to say if Pol- speaks poorly of the Progres- his coattails. restrained opposition), but lina would ultimately find a sive’s efforts to reach out to the party should also come to legislative role to his liking. young voters in the last few What does appear clear is terms with those on their left, years. In order to stem this that statewide the party has a who, although electorally Regardless of who the tide the Progs will have to core vote of about 6% as weak, are capable of taking eventual left candidates are in double up their efforts re- demonstrated in the five 1%-4% away from them in 2010 and no matter what deal garding this constituency by down ticket races. The Progs, important races. (or no deal) the Progs strike working through such groups running candidates not neces- with the Democratic Party, as the Student Labor Action sarily to win, but primarily to It is no secret that Senator there are other realities that Project and the Students for a retain their major party status Bernie Sanders, Martha Ab- the Progressives will have to Democratic Society. They (which requires one race with bot, and a number of other address, if they are to grow would be well served to a 5% showing or better) fin- Progressive leaders can trace their political base and push maintain a highly viable role ished as follows; Kemp’s their political lineage back to their social-democratic on the college campuses. But 4.5% For Lt Gov, Power’s the early 70s and to the so- agenda forward. First, the the youth vote is by no means 4.5% for Secretary of State, cialist Vermont Liberty Un- mixed results of the 08’ legis- stationary to the campuses. Schramm’s 7.6% for Treas- ion Party. It is also no secret lative races have to be looked The Progs should also look to urer, Martha Abbots’ 12.2% that some of the old elements Other Vermont News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 13 of the Liberty Union (LU) with the Liberty Union the Progressive Party is would harbor resentment towards would almost certainly intimately linked to the trans- the Progs, and are quick to amount to pissing in the social, non-electoral, late charge them with selling wind. Even so, it is worth movements which under- into out their more radical so- the attempt. And in the line it. As long as the the re- cialist ideas in exchange long run, the Progs (and Progs continue to climb em- for relative electoral suc- the left in general) are best into the trenches with or- cess. And finally it is also served by keeping the LU ganized labor, the farmers, true that the only way the in as many debates as is the environmentalists, and Dave Zuckerman LU can get more than 4% practical and possible in- the healthcare reform ad- of the vote in any race is sofar as their more radical vocates, they will be in a powerment of the Town for there to be NO other policy positions not only position to grow alongside Meeting system or the es- challengers to the given speak to a segment of the the movements which they tablishment of worker and incumbent. All this being current Vermont elector- support. If, on the other farmer cooperatives on a established, the LU is still ate, but also have the ef- hand, they forsake such meaningful scale. At best good for 1% of the vote on fect of making the social- activities or come to see the Progs, as an electoral, any given day in any given democratic positions of their own rise as an end in social-democratic force, race and with little to no the Progressives appear itself, their fate would can help alleviate some of campaigning (the latter of much more moderate than seem destined for histori- the pains which our ineq- which they consistently would otherwise appear to cal obscurity at best or uitable social and eco- prove). With this in mind, the common voter. And popular betrayal at worst. nomic system necessitates. if the Progs were to make with this, the entire politi- And here it is important to Folks need housing, good a serious run for a state- cal dialogue shifts ever so not lose sight of the fact jobs, healthcare, educa- wide office, victory or de- slightly to the left. Per- that the goal may be to tion, and healthy afford- feat could easily hinge on haps, to sweeten the deal, win, but the goal cannot able food. However, rent this 1000-2000 vote differ- the Progs could also agree become simply winning control, union solidarity, ence. Therefore it would to advocate on their be- elections. The Progs, if socialized healthcare, and seem sound that the Pro- half, regarding inclusion they stand for anything at reasonable social services gressives should make an in debates (which they are all, must stand for the are all reforms that a suc- effort to sit down with the often unfairly excluded worker, the family farm, cessful Progressive Party LU before the next elec- from). And perhaps they the disenfranchised, and could conceivably help tion in order to hammer could also come together the hopes and dreams of a deliver. But as to the basic out a side deal. Perhaps in to support such common people smothered by too structural changes that a exchange for not running issues as establishing IRV many generations of capi- more free and equitable against Progs in certain or Run-off elections talist domination, eco- society would call for, that targeted elections, the Lib- (which would help both nomic hardships, and the is a task for the people erty Union could be of- parties), creating a health- erosion of democratic par- directly, and all an allied fered a number of races care system whereby all ticipation in the world electoral political party where they would almost Vermonter had access to around them. The end that can do in this regard is not certainly be the only other quality medical care, liv- must be kept in sight is not to act as an obstruction. party of opposition, or able wages, free higher one where a majority is Real fundamental change where their only oppo- education, and truly af- achieved in the State for the better will never nents would be cut from fordable housing. But I go House, but rather one come out the other side of the Democratic and Re- too far. It would be a small where the people them- a voting booth or a legisla- publican (i.e. capitalist) miracle in and of itself for selves are the masters of tive bill (no matter how cloth. This could appeal to the two solidly left parties their own fate and where well intended). But in the the LU in that their top to even so much as to sit the wealth of society and meantime folks need to 2008 vote getter, Jerry down and agree not to run means of production are live, and to live better than Levy 10,788 votes or against each other in a owned and controlled by the old parties of the es- 3.7% for Auditor, fell be- strategically important the many and not the few. tablishment are willing to low the floor for major race or two, let alone form Even if the Progressives concede. So until the revo- party status. Hence they a Popular Front! won 100 seats in the Ver- lution, comrade, good may have a desire to win mont House of Represen- night and good luck. -CT this standing back. How- Back room wheeling tatives and the Governor- ever, the thought of the and dealing aside, the truth ship too, there is no reason Progs trying to make deals is that the ultimate fate of to think that this alone Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 14

(Economy Continued From Cover) though they want full-time jobs Here is an example of how the data force; you are invisible. Some have (“involuntary part-time workers”). is misused. In her most recent press temporarily given up because there are *It doesn’t tell us anything about the release, the Commissioner of the VT no jobs in their field; some don’t have duration of unemployment. Dept. of Labor said, “The nation's reliable transportation or child care; *It doesn’t account for the under- housing and financial services crisis some are caring for sick relatives; some employed who can’t find work in their continues to impact Vermont’s labor need more education or new training. chosen fields. market. Seasonally adjusted employ- These folks are referred to as Thus, if we are interested in know- ment improved a bit in September, but “discouraged workers” and the ing whether the economy is producing the unemployment rate ticked up to “marginally attached”. They are enough challenging, full-time, livable 5.2%.” counted at the national level but not for wage jobs for all those who want them, While it's true that the national the states. the unemployment rate cannot answer downturn is affecting VT, the slide be- *It doesn’t tell us how many of those the question. Yet it is presented as if it gan long before these recent events. employed are working part-time even does. (Continued Next Page)

“The gods of the valleys, are not the gods of the hills.”

-Ethan Allan

“Man is truly free only among equally free men; the slavery of even one human being violates humanity and negates the freedom of all.” -Mikhail Bakunin

Support Catamount Tavern News! Vermont’s First & Best Statewide Press

BUY* AN AD... Regular Price: $50 For 2.5x2.5’’ AD, 1 Issue, $150 A Year!

Non-Profit Entity: $49/$149 Subscribe To CT News! ESOP Businesses: $48/148 Union Shops: $40/$140 Honest News By And For Union Shops with an ESOP: $35/$135 Regular Folk Worker Co-ops: $20/$70/Free Upon Discretion Union Affiliated Worker Co-ops: Free $25 For One Year (arrives seasonally). Labor Unions & Farmer Organizations: Free

Free To Enlisted Military & Prisoners NO ads accepted from any large corporations Send Check Made Out To “Cash” or Well Concealed Green To:. Email Add To: [email protected]

CT News, Subject Heading: “CT News”, Mail Check PO Box 76 Make Out To “Cash” to: CT News, POB 76, Montpelier, Vermont 05601 Montpelier, VT 05601 Other Vermont News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 15

(Economy From Previous Next Page) there are almost 5,000 more Vermonters pay double payroll taxes, and have no After rebounding from the last reces- unemployed now than one year ago. Al- employer-assisted health or retirement sion, VT's private sector job growth though it's on the web site, the Commis- benefits. It works for some but for many peaked in Nov. 2006 and it’s been sioner didn't mention that in the press it’s a stop gap between jobs and does not downhill since then. release (and neither did the media). really pay the bills. Most people need And the only reason "seasonally ad- Vermont’s rate is often compared to the security and benefits of a job. So justed employment improved a bit in the national rate. The governor is fond why focus on a measure that includes September" is because of government of saying that it’s lower than the U.S., self-employment? I suspect because it jobs. There were no net new private sec- which implies that things are going OK allows officials to use a larger number. tor jobs last month. Indeed, we've had (and that he is somehow responsible). As for “jobs”, that can be con- either zero or negative private sector job But the Vermont rate has been lower fusing too. If you hear someone say growth for 14 of the last 21 months. than the national rate for most of the last “jobs” without more information, it The Commissioner's characterization of 30 years. We don’t know why but it ap- probably means total jobs, which in- the increase in unemployment ("ticked pears to be structural and has nothing to cludes government jobs (federal, state & up to 5.2%") is an interesting choice of do with current economic development local). But economic development pol- words. We've only had a monthly "tick" policies. icy is not directed to and has virtually no like that - an increase of 0.3% - five We also hear elected officials impact on public sector job growth. Fur- times in the last 72 months. And it refer to the number of jobs created. thermore, why would a conservative should be viewed as a percentage of the Sounds good, right? But it’s tricky. First, Republican governor (who’s elimi- change over the past year: the 1.3% rise are they talking about “employment” or nating state jobs) try to brag about from a year ago is a 34% increase! “jobs”? Employment includes the self- the number of government jobs? Finally, if we step away from per- employed, most of whom have no secu- The only measure that mat- centages and get back to real people, rity, get no paid sick time or holidays, ters is private sector jobs. Here are Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 16 the facts. After recovering the As for wages, we often measure up. Achieving parity median household income. jobs lost during the last reces- hear about per capita income. with the U.S. average wage [Note: This too can be confusing sion (a normal bounce back), we But it’s simply total income di- would be an improvement, but it because some economists use gained some jobs but peaked in vided by total population. It tells does not tell us if it's a livable median “family” income, which November 2006. Since then, us nothing about the distribution wage sufficient to meet basic is a term of art and only includes we've lost 2,700 private sector of income. And that’s important needs. households with people related jobs and now have fewer then because almost a quarter of all In any event, Vermont's by marriage, blood, or adoption. we did before the last recession. income in VT is “unearned” – average wage has tracked with This excludes over 90,000 from non- the U.S. over time but the gap households.] The differences in wage remains (see graph below). But these measures are clear: per sources just as the like capital state's gains, in- compara- terest, and tively low dividends. unem- Using an ployment indicator rate can- And what kind of new jobs? that ignores income distribution not be Over one third of all net new distorts our perception of the attributed private sector jobs are in "social health of the economy. to State policies, the fact that capita makes things look pretty assistance" which has an average Average wages are a better Vermont's average wage is per- good; average wages have in- wage under $18,000 per year. measure but still have problems. sistently lower than the U.S. creased (but don’t tell us if What about context? In the five Industry averages include every- wage suggests structural causes they’re sufficient to meet basic years prior to the last recession, one from managers to janitors rather than a failure of specific needs); in the end, the purchas- private sector jobs grew by and a few high paid staff can ing power 22,400 -- almost three times the skew the number. Industry aver- of a median number after the most recent ages are useful when comparing household recession. Prior to that, Ver- wages across industries (e.g., has only mont's private sector job growth retail vs. manufacturing) but grown by tracked with the U.S. Since little else. 5% in sev- then, we have not kept pace. As with unemployment, enteen some make years. It’s clear a point of that things are not going well. comparing policies. Thus, you can’t have it This raises the question of how VT’s aver- both ways: unemployment lower much the state is spending for age wage than the U.S. – my good; aver- economic development and for with the age wages lower than the U.S. – what. This will be the subject of U.S. On not my bad. a future article. –CT that score, If we’re interested in how fami- we don’t lies are doing, we should use Other Vermont News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 17

(Earth First! Cont. From Cover) fund was valued at $397 million, across the Northeast and included that’s $43 million short of where activist workshops and plenty of

the fund stood before the stock Entergy Vermont Yankee’s certifi- beer. –CT market fell in October. “And the cate of the public good and instead bribe isn’t guaranteed!” Gillard sign a large cardboard certificate [*Note from CT News: Many adds. of the “public bad”. “We’ve talked Vermonters would like to see Ver- with Santa Claus and clearly En- mont Yankee replaced with publi- The Public Service Board re- tergy Nuclear has been up to no cally owned, union run, green en- fused to sign the group’s good.” Said one of the elves enter- ergy facilities such as large scale ‘certificate of public no good’ and ing the office. The group held pho- wind and additional hydro. CT was met with a blizzard of tographs of Vermont Yankee’s News believes that Entergy & the ‘styrofoam snow’ –which exuded 2007 cooling tower collapse and State should be compelled to retrain an extreme stench. “Bad decisions 2004 transformer fire as well as Vermont Yankee workers, many of around this issue have brought the giant banner reading ‘Do the pub- whom are unionized, to build and PSB an early and cold nuclear lic a service, close VT. Yankee!’ operate these new green facilities. winter.” said one demonstrator. These workers must be part of our Concerned about possible toxicity While the Vermont Public Ser- energy future too.] the PSB called the Fire Depart- vice Board considers granting En- ment and temporarily evacuated tergy Nuclear a Certificate of the two floors. “if they are worried Public Good to continue operating about potentially hazardous sub- the 30-year-old Vernon reactor stances they ought to close VT until 2032, many Vermonters Yankee. That place dumps radio- question the reliability, safety and active waste on Vermont land costs associated with clean up. daily.” said Gillard. “Due to accidents, leaks and decay

Entergy is regularly having to When asked about the event, power down, decontaminate work- the man posing as Santa Claus re- ers and scramble to keep a clean sponded, “Entergy Nuclear Ver- image in the media. They want to mont Yankee is dangerous, dirty keep this kind of behavior going and out of control. They’ve been for another 25 years! We say no lying and cheating Vermont for way!” exclaimed Bill Smith, an im- years. They are on the bad list and passioned Vermonter at the dem- deserve a certificate of the public onstration. no-good. The PSB needs to know-

ho-ho this.” In an effort to receive a twenty- year license extension, Entergy is The PSB reported that clean up claiming that it will not have the after the action cost them $800. No money to pay for decommissioning protesters were arrested, and the plant until 2026. According to Montpelier Police Chief Anthony Green Mt. Earthfirst!er Erik Gil- Facos said that no further investi- lard “Entergy is leading us on. gation is planned. They haven’t given a penny to the decommissioning fund since they The action came on the heels of bought the place, yet they’re a major Earth First! Gathering promising $60 million twenty A Worker Co-op (Oct. 30-Nov. 3rd) in Southern Ver- years down the road. They’re try- Specializing in Radical Books mont, which was held on a farm ing to bribe the state to renew the just outside Brattleboro. The license.” Earlier this month, En- State Street, Montpelier, VT gathering drew supporters from tergy said the decommissioning Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 18 U.S. NATIONAL NEWS

DECLARATION OF WAR, OR CEASE FIRE? EARTH LIBERATION FRONT CHALLENGES OBAMA ON ENVIRONMENT

Washington, D.C. - Earth First! organiza- The North American tion, the E.L.F. has Earth Liberation been active in the Front Press Office United States since (NAELFPO) chal- 1996. Since that time lenged the incoming the group has con- Obama Administra- ducted dozens of ac- tion Tuesday to take tions across the coun- immediate action to reverse the try and North America resulting in trend of global warming and envi- over $150 million in damages. Noto- ronmental destruction. rious E.L.F. actions have included "The incoming Obama Admini- the $24 million arson attack at Colo- stration's plan for the environment, rado's Vail Ski Resort in 1998 and or lack thereof, may very well influ- the $50 million arson attack on a ence the activities of the Earth Lib- five-story condominium project in eration Front throughout the next San Diego, CA in 2003. four years," stated Lisa Nesbitt, one Since the year 2001, the E.L.F. of four new press officers for the has been considered the top domes- NAELFPO. "The $150 million in tic terror threat by the F.B.I. damages caused by the ELF in the "The U.S. Government has re- last decade to environmentally de- fused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, re- structive corporations was, in part, fused to permanently protect the a direct response to the refusal of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge the U.S. Government to take neces- (ANWR), refused to stop the logging sary measures to stop environmental of national forests, and refused to destruction." heighten the Energy Act standards The Earth Liberation Front for light cars, trucks and commer- (E.L.F.) is an international, under- cial vehicles - the greatest contribu- ground movement consisting of tor to global warming," Nesbitt con- autonomous groups of people who tinued. "We have one message for engage in direct actions to protect the incoming Obama Administra- the planet. Formed in 1992 in Brigh- tion: act to protect the environment ton, England as an offshoot of the or the E.L.F. will." -CT National News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 19

THE 2008 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION RIOTS & PROTESTS:

WHAT IS TO BE LEARNED?

By Will Dunbar

Middlesex, Vermont- When activ- ists, liberals, and radicals de- scended on St Paul, MN, to pro- slowing was the result of several can vision of what our world test the 2008 Republican National key elements of the movement re- should look like, and expose to Convention a couple of months assessing the effectiveness and the light the horrific and anti- ago, they arrived with the hopes long-term strategy of such actions human nature of the State itself. of disrupting the Convention, within the overall goal of building In many ways, they were more voicing their distaste for the plat- a popular movement capable of successful than any street protest form and tactics of the conserva- challenging and dismantling capi- in the U.S. in recent memory. tive movement, and demonstrat- talism and the State; partially this ing to the powers that be that slowing came as the increasingly The RNC Welcoming Commit- they will not sit idly by as our formulaic nature of such demon- tee, as this organizing body world is sold off to the highest strations limited the effectiveness named itself, had a few things go- bidder at the expense- and exploi- and creativity of street actions ing for it that were not so much tation- of working people the while simultaneously strengthen- their own doing but which they world over. At the end of the ing the (police) State’s ability to nonetheless we able to capitalize week, nearly 1,000 people had respond and squelch such pro- on. Most glaringly, after eight been arrested, thousands had tests. years of rule under the far-right been injured by police violence, Bush regime, dissent and militant thousands more had been given a Organizers for the RNC pro- rejection of the status quo is at a first-hand showing of how little tests sought to change all this. high unmemorable to millions of the “rule of law” matters to police Over a year and a half before the Americans. Along with this, the forces, and the program, comfort, RNC, a coalition of local radicals relatively progressive and and message of the GOP and joined with committed organizers “common sense” nature of the other authoritarian elements of from other corners of the country people of Minnesota’s Twin Cities the State had been shaken. in order to plan, coordinate, and meant that not only were there a implement a multi-layered and number of solid and experienced Throughout the past decade, diverse array of actions and street resources and organizations al- the anti-authoritarian left has tactics which- they hoped- would ready on the ground, but expand- gone through some rapid changes allow for an optimal amount of ing popular support for radicals in the United States. The disruption of the RNC and the and radical action throughout the “summit hoping” street demon- city of St Paul. They sought to population was easier than, say, if strations that began at the 1999 plan and coordinate, not in a top- the RNC were being staged in Seattle WTO enjoyed several down and controlling manner but Houston or Atlanta. years of increased militancy and in an open and embracing one, a sophistication before slowing to week of demonstrations that One thing that the RNC Wel- near non-existence and ineffec- could serve to effectively chal- coming Committee was able to tiveness over the second half of lenge the illusion of the State’s accomplish quite successfully was the past ten years. Partially, this authority, discredit the Republi- to allow differing groups of Catamount Tavern News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 20 radicals- with differing priorities that gave room- notably without convention center. Less militantly and preferred tactics- to engage on insurmountable conflict- to less focused groups were provided with the streets without having to solidify militant protest groups which were other outlets- such as the “party through spokescouncil meetings also in the streets to protest the empire away” oriented “Funk the into a larger body with a unified RNC. Chiefly among these, the War” bloc, so that these more mili- plan of action. The RNCWC did “Poor People’s March”, consisting tant blocs were able to operate develop a mission statement and a of thousands of local working class along lines which allowed for more document of unifying principles un- people (predominantly African confrontational- and coordinated- der which participating factions Americans) who wanted to march tactics. This, in turn, left police could operate, but the decentralized on the RNC and demand an end to units in chaos and unable to adapt nature of this structure allowed the poverty which Republican rule accordingly to the varying tactics of those interested in closing down had exasperated upon them, was differing blocs, which turned into a highway ramps to do so, those inter- able to plan their march in a man- PR nightmare for the SPPD and the ested in holding intersections to do ner which did not place them di- Ramsey County sheriff office, who so, those interested in marching on rectly in danger of street clashes over the course of the week were the convention center to do so, and between anarchists and police. As increasingly being asked to be ac- those interested in other tactics to one militant bloc, attempting to out- countable for the heavy-handed tac- do so. Of course, this was only pos- maneuver riot cops in the streets, tics. sible as a result of the large num- joined up with the Poor People’s bers that were preparing to go to St March, march organizers spoke George Bush never made it to Paul, but it illustrates the effective- into their megaphones: “for you the RNC, and in fact the entire ness of the nature of anti- folks dressed in black, if you’re go- schedule of events was largely authoritarian organizing. ing to join us on our march, we wel- thrown out of order. The GOP come you! we just ask that you re- blamed this on hurricanes in the And the results on the ground main in the back so that we don’t Gulf, and no doubt Bush’s failure to were impressive. The RNCWC was get attacked by the police- we’ve got show came down in part to the sim- able to successfully coordinate with children and elderly people up ple fact that no one, not even Re- various blocs which groups would here”. publicans, are interested in aligning take which tactics, and so amongst themselves and their reputations the pagan bloc, the IWW anti- Among the various militant blocs with such an unpopular president, capitalist bloc, the black bloc, the on the streets, the IWW anti- but the simple fact of the matter is student-oriented “funk the war” capitalist bloc and another, fairly that for an entire week anti- bloc, and others there was a con- classical looking black bloc, both authoritarians and other demon- sorted effort to hold various differ- demonstrated levels of maturity and strators were hugely successful in ent main thorough fares leading tactical sophistication that seem exposing the illegitimacy of the gov- into downtown and to the conven- noteworthy in the recent history of ernment’s claim to have “control” tion center itself. Along with this, street militancy. Both these blocs of the population, and the shocking smaller affinity groups were en- marched in tight formations, em- degree of violence which they’re abled, and given the umbrella sup- ploying banners on all four sides to willing to wield in order to stamp- port of RNCWC coordinated sup- demarcate their ranks and keep- out decent. Most importantly, anti- port networks such as legal, media, out, as best as possible, agent provo- authoritarians demonstrated that and medical teams, to “lock down” cateurs who were running rampant such a strategy can prove highly and block highway off ramps and throughout St Paul, and both these successful in confronting police other secondary arteries with very blocs worked with internally estab- forces on the street as well as mov- small numbers. The de-centralized lished goals, signals, and roles for ing the mainstream press- albeit nature of hitting the streets on mul- various individuals. The relative very slowly- in line with our mes- tiple fronts enjoyed the effect of sophistication of their structures sage. When reporters for Fox News splitting police forces and bringing allowed for these two blocs to suc- find themselves being swept-up in near chaos to their efforts to control cessfully operate on the streets of St police riots and mass arrests, it be- protestors. Paul throughout the entire week of comes hard to spin the story.-CT the RNC, and at various times to In addition, the RNCWC was successfully hold major intersec- able to successfully coordinate the tions and in fact blockade a number more militant blocs in a manner of delegate buses on their way to the National News/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 21 Outdoors/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 22

Spruce Masseuse

A tea of Black Spruce needles can be added to bath water to soothe aching muscles. This tip came from The Uses of Wild Plants, an excellent resource re- OUTDOORS OUTDOORS cently published by Frank Tozer. I picked up my copy at The Book Garden in Montpelier.

Cedar Therapy The Store Your seasonal resource for foraging Evergreens are a sacred family food and medicine in the wilds of of trees that produce a wide va- Vermont riety of foods and medi-

cines. Cedar spirit is particularly -PINE- regarded across a wide range of

By Jaqelyn Rieke Native American peoples as an- cient and healing. Keep your Pine Tea eye out for downed cedars. If you come across one, honor the This winter, if you can’t walk life it led, gather some of its

on a beach in Florida and pluck needles dry them, grind them in fresh citrus from an orange tree, a coffee grinder and keep in an then get your vitamin C from a airtight container. Light a small hearty Vermont pine. White pile of this aromatic powder, pine or black spruce needles can (commonly referred to as be finely chopped and steeped in “smudge”) for cleansing the en- ergy of people and spaces. hot water for an aromatic tea rich in vitamins A and C. (What Until the Spring, Enjoy! a widely available, inexpensive way to keep your tea cupboard All Vermont Milk, stocked! It’s not free though; for Farmer Controlled

maximum nutritional value, pay your respects.) According to Pe- terson’s Field Guide, pine nee- Come To The

dles can be gathered for tea all Bread & Puppet year round, but the light green Museum needles from the Spring shoots Web site: Route 122, Glover, VT make the best tea. www.vermontmilkcompany.com Phone: (802) 472-5800 802-525-1271 Obituaries/Fall-Winter 2008-9 Page 23

radio news show. OBITUARIES After one year in the Air Force he was STUDS TERKEL discharged with perforated eardrums. A Peoples’ Historian 1912-2008 mented in his oral histories. condition resulting from childhood sur‐ Guerrilla journalism he geries. Back home, he wrote radio called them. What he's best remem‐ scripts. Then did news and sports com‐ bered for. In books like Hard Times: An mentary. A show of his own followed, Oral History of the Great Depression. and a television program called Stud's Working: People Talk About What They Place. Another radio show called The Do All Day and How They Feel About Wax Museum primarily for jazz, but it What They Do. The Good War. The Great also included opera, gospel, country and Divide: Second Thoughts on the Ameri‐ folk music. He promoted artists like Ma‐ can Dream, and his 2007 book, Touch halia Jackson, Pete Seeger, Woody Guth‐ and Go. His memoir. Of a professional rie and Burl Ives. Interviewed jazz greats listener, talker, author, actor, and like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and "conscience of long memory" as The Billie Holiday. Wrote about them in his New York Times described him. Beloved Giants of Jazz book. by many and by his friends. A final book Interviewing came accidentally on his coming out in November. PS: Further award‐winning Studs Terkel Program. It Thoughts From a Lifetime of Listening. It led to his "transforming oral history into includes a collection of radio show tran‐ a popular literary form....a serious scripts, short essays and other writing. genre" as New York Times writer Wil‐ Studs was for the little guy. Our voice liam Grimes put it. He had a remarkable By Stephen Lendan of America. Against war and "in‐bed‐ ability to get others to talk about them‐ with" journalists. For a New Deal kind of selves, their lives and work. That com‐ Mostly Water News Wire, Chicago, IL‐ country. More "reg‐u‐la‐tion" as he said. bined with his diverse knowledge of Despite his advanced age, the news To reign in the kind of abuses now ram‐ many topics gained his program wide‐ came as a shock. An era had passed. On pant. Hold the powerful accountable. spread popularity. October 31, author, activist, actor, Support the public interest. Do it as our In the 1950s during broadcaster, and mensch for all seasons "quintessential American writer" as Con‐ the McCarthy era, he Louis "Studs" Terkel died peacefully at gressman Dennis Kucinich called him. was blackballed from commercial radio his Chicago North Side home at age 96. Our "Boswell, our Whitman, our Sand‐ but found work in the theater. In 1952, Already weakened by other ailments, his burg." Our one and irreplaceable Studs. he joined Chicago's WFMT. The city's health declined further from a fall in his preeminent fine arts and classical music home two weeks earlier. His Background station. His son Dan paid tribute to his father. Born in New York in 1912, and as He was honored with many awards He "led a long, full, eventful, sometimes Studs put it: "As the Titanic went down, including the Pulitzer Prize for The Good tempestuous, but very satisfying life." I came up." In 1922, his family moved to War. He was the master of oral history. Calvin Chicago. From 1926 ‐ 1936, they ran a Trillin called him "America's pre‐ Tributes and Eulogies rooming house at which he credits his eminent listener" that was "all the more After his death, praise followed. The worldly knowledge. From its tenants and remarkable when you consider that he London Guardian called him a "master people who gathered in nearby Bug‐ (was) a prodigious talker." On jazz to chronicler of American life in the 20th house Square. A meeting place for work‐ world affairs. His soap‐opera days to the century, veteran radical and vibrant soul ers, labor organizers, dissidents, the un‐ state of the nation. Interviews with en‐ of the midwestern capital of Chicago." employed, and all sorts of others of tertainers, artists, politicians, philoso‐ Chicago Tribune writer Patrick Reardon many persuasions. A place to speak pub‐ phers and social critics. Figures like Ber‐ called him a "voice (for) the voiceless" licly. They did and still do today. A few trand Russell, John Kenneth Galbraith, and said he was the only white writer to blocks from this writer's home. Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Zero be inducted into the International Liter‐ In 1934, Studs got philosophy and law Mostel, and Margaret Mead. Others he ary Hall of Fame for Writers of African degrees at the University of Chicago but knew like Mahalia Jackson, David Descent at Chicago State University. By chose other endeavors. He worked Dellinger, Nelson Algren, and Eugene unanimous approval after being nomi‐ briefly in the civil service in Washington. Debs. The greats and near‐greats but nated. The man who did it called Then back to Chicago in a WPA Writers mostly ordinary people. "America a better place as a result of Project's radio division. It got him into Whose lives and experiences he docu‐ soap operas, stage performances, and a Studs Terkel being here." ‐CT “I am a hardy mountaineer and scorn to be intimidated by threats. If they fright me, they must absolutely produce some of Their tremendous fire, and give me a sensitive scorching.” - fire, and give me a sensitive scorching.” Their tremendous

Catamount Tavern News Post Office Box 76 Montpelier, Vermont 05601

U.S. OUT MARXISM SHIP TO: OF FOR VT! Northeast Kingdom NOW

VT Community Radio!

Dairy Farmers In The Capital Region WGDR 91.1 FM CT News Email: [email protected] News Email: [email protected] CT Its Time To Fight Back! In Brattleboro Ethan Allen The Dairy Farmers WVEW 107.7 FM of Vermont

In Burlington Phone: (802) 223-6767 WOMM 105.9 FM Elm Street, Montpelier Bad Ass Music, Free Talk, “The A Documentary Film Series By Roz Payne News For

Regular Folk! gods

of

the UNION YES! WAR NO! IN IRAQ

valleys U.S. OUT OF VERMONT!

Order Directly: Email: [email protected] are

Roz Payne Archives not PO Box 164

Richmond, Vermont 05477 the

Working Vermonters, gods

Unite! of

All You Have To Lose Having Trouble the

Is Your Chains! With The Brass? hills.” ‐

Join The Vermont The GI Rights Hotline

Workers’ Center! Can Help! Ethan Allen Phone: (802) 861-2877 www.workerscenter.org 1-800-FYI-95GI For Regular News On The Web Read Vermont Indy Media: www.vtindymedia.org

UNION + TOWN MEETING = DEMOCRACY!