McClaughry: Congressman Welch and fuel efficiency
If “consumers are demanding greater fuel efficiency in vehicles,” what’s stopping them from buying all-electric Teslas? Especially when they get a $7,500 Obama credit for doing so?
Smith: Sanders independent of what?
Whatever one may think about Bernie Sanders’ “democratic socialism” agenda, the myth of his “independence” has long since succumbed to his lust for the easiest path to a lifetime job in Washington as America’s fiercest apostle of democratic (small d) socialism.
Is criminal justice reform about going ‘soft’ on crime? It depends how it’s done
The objective of prison reform is to reduce recidivism rates, thereby improving public safety. Cotton agrees that “[o]nce a criminal has paid his debt to society, everyone should hope he gets back on his feet and becomes a productive, law-abiding citizen.” Precisely.
McClaughry: The Perfect Little Climate Conscious State
The report advocates practically every proposal urged on Vermonters by the environmental phalanx since 1970, plus a number of new enthusiasms sparked by the debatable belief that human carbon dioxide emissions are driving the planet toward heat death.
Fewer than half of refugees allowed in due to Trump enhanced vetting
The U.S. is on track to admitting fewer than half the number of refugees allowed under the current annual cap, as the Trump administration’s enhanced screening procedures have slowed the refugee resettlement process.
Hallquist may seek economic growth in theory, but higher taxes in practice
Vermont Democratic nominee for governor Christine Hallquist is in favor of economic growth, at least in theory. In practice, economic growth takes second fiddle to higher taxes.
Roper: Government acted boldly on gender-neutral bathrooms, and nobody cared
This law, for all the hoopla and drama in the Statehouse, was an unnecessary solution in search of a non-existent problem. Everybody continued relieving themselves in public restrooms without issue, just as they did before the law was passed.
Communicating capitalism to the next generation
America enjoys levels of wealth and prosperity never before experienced in world history. For that, we can thank capitalism. But capitalism is not doing so hot among the young.
Groton, Wells River and Ryegate voters say no to Act 46 consolidation
On Primary Day, voters in Groton, Wells River and Ryegate voted to close Blue Mountain Union School to prevent a Montpelier-forced merger.
McClaughry: Climate sensitivity and the carbon tax
The Curbelo carbon tax bill would avert warming of less than three hundredths of a degree Centigrade by 2050. That means the bill’s maximum climate impact is literally undetectable.
Campion: Scott, Degree should celebrate gains a little less loudly
Maybe this means Scott, and Dustin Degree, can celebrate the above gains a little less loudly. Decades of negative economic policies will take years to unwind, and a lot of work to undo what’s been done to Vermont.
Guy Page: Trump, the press, and ‘enemy of the people’
Trump’s words can be divisive. Some people find them corrosive. But they are, after all, just words — and thanks to the same Constitution that protects the freedom of the press, he is free to speak them.