Progressive Anthony Pollina announced that he is running for governor, kicking off the campaign that he has been talking about for months.
In his speech, he contrasted his Vermont with the Vermont of Republican Governor Jim Douglas.
His is a bad place to do business, a place where young people and the well-to-do want to leave, where we can’t fix our roads or make investments in our farms. My Vermont is known for its quality of life, has a great work force, and lots of smart, creative, hardworking business people and entrepreneurs, and good public schools.
I’m pretty sure Gov. Douglas’s Vermont is known for its quality of life and workforce, too.
In fact, he even said so in a speech he made on December 1, 2003.
Lastly, Vermont needs to sell itself more aggressively around the country and around the globe. We’ve got a good story to tell about Vermont! Where else can an employer enjoy the world’s best quality of life and the world’s hardest-working labor force in a natural environment that is surpassed no place else on earth? I want to spread the word that Vermont is “Open for Business.” I want to spread the news that we are working to smooth out the rough areas and enhance the things that make Vermont so special. [Emphasis mine.]
I do have concerns about a gubernatorial candidate who denies that Vermont does have a business problem, the young are leaving, and we can’t fix the roads, though.
Among other things, Mr. Pollina called for what sounded like requiring state-run institutions to use local products, such as meat and milk.
He called for buying local to boost Vermont’s rural economy. “Let’s start by buying Vermont, not just talking about it like the current governor does. He says buy local, it is just that simple. Yet in our institutions we still find hamburger from Iowa and milk from Massachusetts,” Pollina said.
There’s a reason for that. I just bought a local corned beef from City Market and paid $8.99/lb. Hannaford had corned beef on sale this week for $1.19/lb.
I guess in Mr. Pollina’s Vermont, the state government has money left to spend.
Good luck selling that version.
