Reflections this July 4th
Friends –
Happy 4th of July! I hope you are celebrating and enjoying time with friends, family, and neighbors. This year I am reflecting on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our democracy.
The challenges to democracy are clear:
Federally we are watching our Supreme Court roll back anti-corruption laws and set the dangerous precedent that Presidents are above the law. This follows a string of deeply concerning decisions including the courts choice to strike down Roe V. Wade which protected a woman's right to choose.
At the state level a right-wing dark money group announced it would spend up to $250,000 attacking policies aimed at addressing the existential threat of climate change. The group is funded by billionaires and the fossil fuel industry, with strong ties to Donald Trump.
Locally here in Burlington another nationally-based rightwing group, that includes the likes of Karl Rove and former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr, is funding a lawsuit against the city over our efforts to expand and strengthen democracy through all resident voting.
Our 2024 statewide elections aren’t immune either. A state senate candidate in the Chittenden-Central district is attempting to buy the seat. While he’s running in the democratic primary he’s already raised nearly $50,000 from only 100 people - mostly Republican donors and corporate interests. This represents a roughly $475 average donation (that is incredibly high, particularly for a state senate campaign).
While these challenges represent fundamental threats to our way of life and our democracy, I remain deeply hopeful, here’s why:
In Burlington last night our nurses announced they tentatively reached an agreement with the hospital on their contract. If ratified, it will represent the largest wage increase over three years in the union's history.
At the state-level two State Senators are suing the Governor to protect our system of checks and balances and limit what the executive branch is allowed to do unilaterally.
Federally, Vermont is likely to reelect the most significant progressive leader of our generation in Senator Sanders.
To celebrate the 4th of July and all this holiday represents, I am asking you to get engaged in the political process - here’s a few ways you can:
1. Donate to my campaign - I’ll be knocking every door in Ward 1 this summer to check in with my neighbors and that work costs money.
2. Signup to volunteer for any of the amazing Progressives running for office in 2024.
3. If you are in the Chittenden-Central State Senate district, please remember to vote, volunteer, and donate to Senator Vyhovsky’s re-election efforts.
There are still many of us in elected office, from all political stripes, who believe in American democracy. With optimism, I look forward to working with you to strengthen, rather than attempt to dismantle, our democracy in the years ahead.
With Appreciation,
Carter Neubieser
Ward 1 Burlington City Councilor
