As an Indivisible Mad River Valley member and participant in the No Kings movement I feel compelled to respond to last week’s Valley Reporter opinion piece called “Potholes and Speed Bumps.”
Here are just a few thoughts. It was stated that Trump won the popular vote in 2024 - sure he won 49.8% over Harris’s 48.3%, no dispute there but there is plenty of evidence that a variety of circumstances contributed to his win including some “outside of this country help” and plenty of misinformation and disinformation. And while he may have sleezed his way into the executive position it doesn’t mean we all stand by as he dismantles democracy, the Constitution and rule of law in this country.
I really value some fundamental things in an American president, qualities that include some measure of honesty, integrity, civility, compassion, care for the environment, seeking equality and justice for all, fiscal responsibility, and thoughtful leadership that embraces all citizens and extends to our global community. Unfortunately this president is lacking in anything remotely close to these qualities and has a very long history of being quite the opposite.
The earlier opinion piece mentions getting a nice tax break this year. I like to consider the bigger picture when it comes to tax relief from that big ugly bill. Sure, I might have saved a couple hundred bucks at tax time but any extra money saved has long left my bank account for a higher cost of living, more expensive groceries and a painful stop at the gas pump (even with a hybrid car). Plus, my gut gets further twisted when I think of all the millionaires and billionaires who really got a major tax break while we can’t fund childcare, decent healthcare, the arts, national parks, USAID, environmental initiatives or any number of worthwhile things that would contribute to making this country work for everyone. Additionally this president has enriched himself and his family in the relatively short time he’s been in office, to the tune of $6.5 -7 billion - yes that’s billion! And now he wants us, we the people, to pony up even more money for an illegal war with Iran and to build massive immigration warehouses - that’s not where I want any of my hard-earned money to go.
The earlier referenced opinion piece also asked just what No Kings is about suggesting "it’s a waste of time for all of us". We’ve had a couple of No Kings protests here in the Valley - well attended actions. For those who don’t know, the No Kings movement is a nationwide, peaceful, progressive-led series of protests that oppose the authoritarian actions, police brutality, and monarchical behavior of the Trump administration and believes that “no one is above the law”. No Kings aims to protect and lift up our Democracy and responds to the fact that Trump is acting like a “king “or “dictator” by defying the courts, attacking civil rights and abusing executive power - that is when he isn’t out on the golf course or posting incredibly disturbing things on social media at all hours including threatening to destroy entire civilizations and aggressively insulting the Pope.
Fortunately there are a growing number of people here and abroad who understand that the power belongs to the people and that if we don’t push back and speak up now we will likely lose our Democracy in this country. Indivisible Mad River Valley along with other Indivisible groups in Vermont and across the country are folks of all walks united in the effort to resist. And we address other issues as well including healthcare, education, immigration, and climate action to name just a few. Our local legislators have come to talk with us at meetings and Indivisible participates in community outreach. Our amazing members work in all parts of this community as teachers, therapists, faith leaders, and volunteers with the food pantry, Meals on Wheels, Free Wheelin’, church projects, and with the Central Vermont Refugee Action Network. IMRV also raises money and goods for non-profits such as Hannah’s House, MRV Interfaith Council, the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund, the Good Samaritan Shelter and more. In other words, we are a pretty civil bunch and we have purpose and passion!
So, to conclude, I’m going to quote Bruce Springsteen who recently said after participating in No Kings 3:“We chose hope over fear, Democracy over authoritarianism, rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unrivaled corruption, resistance over complacency, truth over lies, unity over division, and peace over war."
Willis lives in Warren.
