Neubieser: No, Vermont isn’t immune to our system of legalized corruption

When working families are struggling to pay rent, when health care costs are out of control, when property taxes squeeze neighbors — it matters who politicians listen to. Right now, too many are listening to the wealthy instead of the vast majority of their constituents. We deserve leaders accountable to our neighbors, not to their donors, political elites, or lobbyists. 

As Trump and his extremist billionaire friends question the very idea of one person, one vote, we must do everything we can to strengthen democracy at the state and local level. For most of us, it’s hard to believe that the legalized corruption in D.C. impacts us here in Vermont — it seems distant and disconnected from our politics. While it is true Vermonters are more resilient and civically engaged, we are by no means immune to the corrupting influence of money that has eroded our democracy. 

Americans for Prosperity — a Koch-funded political machine — has started to spend tens of thousands of dollars to influence state policy and candidates who represent the interests of the wealthy. They are working in concert with the governor and the Vermont Republican Party to elect politicians interested in cutting taxes for the rich, deregulating industry, and slashing programs that working Vermonters rely on. 

Whether or not you agree with their political views is irrelevant. What is relevant is this: a dark-money group funded by billionaires is spreading misinformation, division, and fear. In my view, that hurts our ability to see our neighbors with respect and humanity, and it is the opposite of how our democracy should function. 

You might be thinking, “Carter, you need to be fair — it’s not just Republicans, it’s Democrats too.” I agree. What are Democratic elites up to in Vermont? 

Let’s step back for just one moment before we check. Wouldn’t you think leading Democrats, having rightly called out the authoritarian actions and blatant corruption of the current president, would be doing all they can to completely reform this corrupt system? Surely the prospect of a Dictator Trump would shock them into making new choices about how they raise money.

Yes, you’re about to be disappointed — blame reporting from VTDigger, not me: 

“[Congresswoman] Balint’s leadership PAC reported $13,500 in 

contributions over the first half of the year. More than half of that total came from political action committees linked to big-name companies: $5,000 from Nike’s federal PAC; $2,500 from a PAC tied to Universal Music Group; and $1,000 from Google’s federal PAC. … Her leadership PAC reported receiving the Google donation, for instance, on June 12; less than a week later, she wrote in an email seeking donations directly to her campaign that ‘unlike other politicians, Becca doesn’t take money from big corporate donors with a hidden agenda — she relies on support from people like you who pitch in $10 or $5 at a time.’” 

This is not about the personal virtue of the governor or the congresswoman. Its not about saying one side is better or worse. This is about the democracy that we as Americans and as Vermonters deserve. Right now, we have a system where money speaks louder than people. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

We must ban corporate contributions and lower contribution limits to campaigns. Vermonters know the difference between free speech and legalized bribery. 

We must move to ranked choice voting. Voters deserve more than the false choice of the “lesser evil.” 

We must make Town Meeting Day and Election Day paid holidays for all employees. Nobody should have to choose between a paycheck and a ballot in a functional democracy. 

We must publicly fund our elections at all levels here in Vermont. Anyone should be able to run for office without needing wealthy friends or political connections. 

These reforms aren’t radical — they’re common sense. They represent the baseline of what a healthy democracy needs to survive. Don’t believe me? Look around. We are living through what inaction on these issues results in. As long as elections are bankrolled and controlled by the wealthy, corporations, and special interest groups, our government will serve them — not us.