From Harper's Weekly, another reason why Vermont kicks ass:
"Selectmen in Brattleboro, Vermont, passed a measure allowing town residents to vote to indict President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for war crimes"
If congress can pass non-binding resolution, why can't the Brattleboro selectboard? Several towns in Vermont, including Putney have passed resolutions condemning the Iraq War. I am very proud of the level of democratic participation in local government in my state. For those who don't know we have a state holiday reserved for Town Meeting Day, so that people can get off of work. Additionally, as I am sure is the case in many small towns I personally know the people who represent me in the state legislator. I actually took hunter's safety with my local rep. I believe that more decision making should be made at the local and state, not federal levels. And even at the local level, budgeting and many other functions of town government should be responsibilities of a popular assembly, not an elected council. Participatory budgeting, as implemented/pioneered in Porto Alegre, Brazil is a fascinating concept about which I need to learn more about.
No comments:
Post a Comment