February 6, 2012

Momentum Builds in Vermont to Reverse Citizens United 

Thousands of Vermonters will have the opportunity to weigh in on Bernie’s constitutional amendment to reverse the misguided Citizens United ruling.  That ruling held that corporations are people and can spend unlimited sums to influence elections. So far, 40 Vermont communities have placed this crucial issue on their upcoming town meeting ballots. Momentum continues to build. State legislators have unveiled a resolution in Montpelier calling for passage of a constitutional amendment and editorials are increasingly highlighting the dangers of the Supreme Court’s ill-considered 5-4 ruling. “It empowers a few very wealthy people to shape the political process to a degree we may not yet fully understand, and potentially for their own ends,” the Valley News wrote. Bernie agrees, adding: “We must not allow these billionaires to control the political process.”

Support Bernie’s amendment: Nearly 200,000 already have »
Read the Valley News editorial »
Read more about the dozens of Vt. towns planning a vote »
AUDIO: Listen to Bernie describe the need for an amendment »
 

Voices of 308 Vermont Students – Jennifer Sikorski, a Winooski High School senior, won Bernie's State of the Union essay contest, which was judged by five Vermont teachers. She was one of 308 students from 30 Vermont high schools who wrote about their view of the major issues facing the United States. Bernie entered the essays of all 19 finalists into the Congressional Record and spoke about the essay contest on the floor of the Senate shortly before the president delivered his State of the Union address. The winner told WPTZ: "I just tried to stick to stuff I knew the most about." 

Watch: Bernie announces the winner »
Watch: WPTZ interviews the winner »
Read the winning essay »
Full list of finalists »
 

Saving the Post Office — In remarks to the nation's postmasters, Bernie outlined his legislative initiative to save the Postal Service. Shaftsbury postmaster Michael Ryan, who serves as the Vermont president of the National League of Postmasters, was in attendance. Bernie's legislation is slated to come before the Senate in the very near future. His bill would protect more than 100,000 jobs that are in jeopardy under the Postal Service's plan to close facilities around the country, including 15 post offices and one mail processing center in Vermont. "There is no question that the post office needs to change and that we need a new business model for the Postal Service for the 21st century," Bernie said. "In my view, we can do that and make the Postal Service financially solvent without shutting down thousands of rural post offices or cutting 100,000 jobs."

Watch: Bernie’s speech on the Senate floor »
Watch: Fox44 details Bernie’s Plan »
 

Vt. Bernie Buzz Profile:
Sam Bellavance — South Burlington’s Sam Bellavance, 17, interviewed Bernie for a 20-minute documentary about campaign finance reform and institutionalized corruption in America’s political system. “I’ve always been a really strong fan of documentaries. I just like the way you can inspire someone with a piece of film,” Sam said.  

Watch: Sneak-preview of the documentary »
Read a Vt. Bernie Buzz profile about Sam »

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TAKE THE POLL

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In Other News

AFFORDABLE DENTAL CARE 

While we have made progress in recent years in expanding dental care access in Vermont, obtaining dental care remains a serious problem for many of our people. For nearly half of Vermonters, 46 percent, dental care is an out-of-pocket expense. In 2009, 72,000 Vermont adults went without dental care because they couldn't afford it.

Bernie will be holding a series of hearings on dental care access in the coming months. He would like to know if you have difficulty finding quality dental care that you can afford. Please share your story with Bernie

PROTECTING SENIORS   

Bernie introduced legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which supports Meals on Wheels and other essential programs for seniors

WHY CHINA BUILDS THE iPHONE

During the last 10 years, more than 50,000 factories have closed in the United States and millions of good-paying manufacturing jobs have been eliminated. Apple used to pride itself on building computers in the U.S. In an interesting New York Times article, we learn why that is no longer the case: speed and cost are now top concerns

CHART: DECLINING WAGES

If the 1990s growth in income continued, households would earn $9,000 more -- or more than $58,000 on average

SOLAR DECATHLON

Two Vermont Colleges, Norwich University and Middlebury College, will compete in a two-year competition to build solar-powered homes that combine affordability, consumer appeal and design

RETURNED TO THE TREASURY

Bernie returned more than $1 million to the Treasury, more than 17 percent of his Senate office and staff budget, during the last two fiscal years. Only 11 senators returned a higher percentage than Bernie.  

Upcoming Events

TOWN MEETINGS

As the U.S. faces unprecedented challenges with the economy, climate change, health care, and a $15 trillion national debt, how do we best move forward? Share your thoughts with Bernie at an upcoming town meeting.

TODAY: 2/4, 10:30 a.m. at the Jericho Community Center

2/19, 10:30 a.m at the Charlotte Senior Center

STUDENT ROUNDTABLE

2/18: Bernie will hold a roundtable discussion with the 19 State of the Union essay contest finalists

THOM HARTMANN PROGRAM

Listen Fridays at 1 p.m. on WDEV (FM 96.1; AM 550) "Brunch with Bernie »