News – Politics – Opinion – Podcasts
Burlington, Vermont, has a two-party system. Far-left Democrats and further-left progressives. That’s no joke. They run against each other for Mayor and elected city offices. Voters answer the question, which wingnut best represents the speed of decline that appeals to me. Hardly. The burning question is who can convince enough voters that the end of … Read more
First, let me say that open primaries are dumb. Parties should be free to pick their own candidates without outside shenanigans taking place, and if folks don’t want to be affiliated with a political party, good for you, that’s your choice, enjoy your summer, you get your say in the general election. That said, thems … Read more
BARRE – Turning Point USA is trying to survive in deep blue Vermont largely on the backs of two resilient teenagers. TPUSA had a booth at the Barre Heritage Festival during the last week of July. They got lots of love and engagement, as well as the occasional middle finger from those who disapprove of … Read more
At Monday night’s Burlington City Council meeting, some Progressive city councilors and attendees mocked Democrat city councilors’ ‘Burlington Forward’ public safety plan as ‘Burlington Backward.’ They claimed the plan would return Burlington to an era of incarceration and forced removal of homeless encampments – both of which they deplore and insist won’t work. The epic … Read more
When Vermonters vote this November (or, more accurately, when Vermonters vote at some point between September 24th and November 3rd during our ludicrous election-month-and-a-half), we will have to decide whether or not to pass yet another constitutional amendment, this one called Proposition 3, or “The Right to Collectively Bargain.” Just going to say up front, … Read more
I smell a lawsuit coming. Something along the lines of a First Amendment violation. Abridging the freedom of the press. The People’s Republic of Burlington, Vermont, has instituted a 10-minute rule in city hall. The City Hall Code of Conduct and Trespass Policy. It is quite unprogressive. For example, a city that favors progressive vagrancy … Read more
This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and Mike are joined by forester Bill Sargent to discuss the Vermont Forest products industry. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the Embedded Video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, … Read more
Vermont Republicans on Wednesday unveiled Vermont Promise, a comprehensive legislative agenda focused on making Vermont more affordable, strengthening the economy, and creating opportunities for families, workers, farmers, retirees, and small businesses, Sen. Scott Beck said in a statement. Republicans are the minority in the Vermont Legislature. However, if the GOP picks up seats (as it … Read more
The Burlington City Council is calling for faster removal of unauthorized vagrant encampments in city parks and other areas where camping is prohibited, urging the administration to begin enforcement actions within about 24 hours of discovering an illegal campsite. The proposed action follows the cancellation of a Sunday, July 19 Burlington Concert Band concert in … Read more
Vermonters will have the opportunity to enshrine two stupid ideas into their constitution this November. Both are Bad Ideas, and to my mind do exactly the opposite of what they claim or intend. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the Embedded Video does not load. Ep 230 Links: Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their … Read more
Vermont has a statutory fee on its electric rates that funnels money into something called Efficiency Vermont. It takes tens of millions of dollars out of the economy every year with the goal of using it on things that will ultimately reduce consumption and save more than that cost. The government decided that Vermonters were … Read more
A recent video made with Artificial Intelligence (AI) satirizing Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint has sparked indignant hostility from the self-styled “Scrappy Little Dyke.” Vermont’s rabidly left-wing Attorney General Charity Clark applied a sketchy new Vermont law to investigate the video’s creator, prompting a federal lawsuit. Charity and Becca both care far more about the free … Read more
This week, on Right Side Up, Alison and Mike discuss Regional Planning Commissions and their role in town planning. We also talk more about healthcare. Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the Embedded Video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its … Read more
Comedian Jeff Dunham got a lot of mileage out of portraying his cranky, cantankerous Walter as Joe Biden. He just put aviators on him. Biden gave him all sorts of material; all he had to do was regurgitate it. I wonder if he could transition Walter into Bernie Sanders. The VT Senator is a cranky … Read more
Does CNBC’s “Best States” ranking make any sense? Yogi Berra famously said of a once favorite Yankees hangout, “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.” I feel like there’s a way to tweak that phrase regarding Vermont’s just winning CNBC’s “Best States to Live” for the sixth straight year: “Nobody wants to live there anymore. … Read more
As Vermont’s sole representative in the U.S. House, what has Rep. Becca Balint done to improve the plight of Vermont’s youth, the working class, senior citizens, and small businesses? If parroting her party’s line on national issues and feigning outrage over international events count, then she sure has done a lot. Meanwhile, the forgotten men … Read more
The Fiscal Alliance Foundation is expanding into Vermont and has named Waterbury resident Elizabeth Brown as its Vermont state director, charging her with leading the organization’s efforts to promote fiscally responsible, transparent, and data-driven public policy. Brown, who has lived in Vermont for three decades, brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry … Read more
This week, on Right Side Up, Alisonand Mike discuss the elected Orange County High Bailiff visiting Iran, the Governor’s Executive Order, and the poison pill in ACT 152 (rechargeable battery dispisal/recycling). Watch on the ‘Grok Rumble Channel if the Embedded Video does not load. Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent … Read more
Vermonters and at least one national Republican figure are responding to an elected Vermont official’s ‘death to America’ statements made last week while attending the funeral of the leader of Iran, who died in the early days of the war with Iran. According to an X post by Orange County High Bailiff Christopher Helali, he’s … Read more
Young people (18 to 34) apparently really don’t like Vermont. According to the recent University of New Hampshire Green Mountain State Poll, a whopping 64 percent of that demographic wants to very much or somewhat leave the Green Mountains for greener pastures. Less than half, just 45 percent, think Vermont is a “good place to … Read more