Reply #86: We get the BEST because we have values in Vermont and a lot of civility and

[DrZeeLit]

this is a very very political state. People are always talking politics. And the operative word is "talking" -- not yelling or screaming or calling names.

When somebody attempts to bring in "out of state" values and money, they don't go over very well at all.

I've lived here 10 years and I'll never be a real "vermonter" but I love this state so much! It's a joy to live here.
Yeah, it's cold.
But the hearts are warm.

It's small. I can actually talk to my representatives -- walk right in the office and sit down and talk.
Last summer, in July, the state's secretary of state, Deb Markowitz (i'm probably spelling that wrong) called me on the phone.
Not a phone bank. She was on the line.
At the time, I don't think she had declared she was running for Governor, but I'm sure she was sticking her toe in for a temp check. We had the nicest conversation for about 20 minutes.
Something of the same sort happened the very first year I lived here. A candidate for state senate actually walked up my long driveway and we sat on the porch and talked for about half an hour. A couple years later, I ran into him in the market (no, I didn't hurt him) and he remembered that I was a teacher. It's that sort of place.

We still have Town Meeting Day. Everybody can have the day off to go to the Town Meeting. Each town actually does meet and vote on items, including the budget. If the budget isn't passed, we rewrite and revote until it is.
Seriously, my town debated the purchase of new wheelbarrows for the cemetery.

I'm a 3rd generation native Californian and honestly, I adore CA and my entire family is still in San Diego, but I don't want to move back.
This is my home now.

And YES! We do have the BEST representatives: Pat Leahy, Bernie Sanders, and Peter Welch. (and the irrepressible Dr. Howard Dean!)