Last Saturday, January 24, 2009, fifty concerned, liberty-minded citizens from around Vermont gathered in the State House, the People’s House, for the first State-wide meeting of the Campaign for Liberty. Members of the campaign were encouraged to bring a friend along for the event and most did. The crowd showed the diversity of the liberty movement, young and old, well-off and poor students, Progressives, Democrats, Republicans, Constitution Party members, 2nd Republicans, and Libertarians sat side by side united in a common wish to return this Republic and our State to its founding principles.
The day started with the singing of the national anthem by Ms. Nikita Howard, the fifteen-years old daughter of the Interim State Coordinator followed by an invocation composed and read by Jessica Bernier, the Washington County Chair. Stewart Skrill, Precinct Leader from Randolph, Vermont, made a short presentation regarding his beliefs and support of the Pledge of Allegiance, then led the assembly in the Pledge. Jim Hogue, a member of the 2nd Vermont Republic, then read the Declaration of Independence. With these preliminaries energizing the attendees, the mood was set.
Geoffrey Norman, of the website Vermont Tigers, delivered a speech entitled “Economic Freedom is Freedom”. The focus of Mr. Norman’s speech was the intrusive and destructive nature of government involvement in people’s use of the land and people’s economic activities. He noted that while this country glorifies great politicians like Roosevelt and Johnson, it gives little regard for those who have actually produced or built something.
Mr. Norman was followed to the podium by Tom Licata and David Rodgers from Vermont for Economic Health. Tom and David provided an eye-opening and somewhat scary presentation regarding the present state of the Vermont economy and the projected train wreck that this State faces in the near term. Their power point presentation clearly outlined the massive expansion of State government both in size and in expenditures while the private sector languished. As one of the most talked about presentations of the day, Tom and David sent shock waves through the audience.
During the “bring your own lunch” break, the conversations started on the floor of the Vermont House Chambers moved into full swing. Members and people interested in the Campaign engaged each other with stories and thoughts about Vermont Political landscape. Few actually finished eating as more time was spent talking than chewing.
At one o’clock, the meeting reconvened to hearing Campaign Members Jessica Bernier, Ben Mayer (Chittenden County Chair) and Matt Cropp respectively deliver speeches on the meaning of the Campaign in Vermont, Ballot Access, and Community Organizing. All three speeches were heartening, informative, and well delivered. At the end of Matt’s speech, the assembly was divided into four geographic regions. Each region met alone to discuss what they could do to organize their area, identify local issues of concern, and bring the Campaign’s message to their fellow citizens. Each breakout group was moderated by the County Chairs and Precinct Leaders in that area. During the next forty-five minutes the ideas and solutions flowed. Contact information were exchanged and plans for future meetings were started.
Finally, came the closing speech from the Interim State Coordinator, Steven J. Howard. Mr. Howard gave a report on the progress of the Campaign nationwide and in Vermont. He talked about the problems faced by the movement in Vermont, from inside and outside of the Campaign. He noted that the very diversity and inclusiveness of the gathering was considered by many to be a weakness, it was in fact its strength. Mr. Howard tied in Vermont’s rich history of independence and commitment to liberty with the hopes and goals of the Vermont Campaign for Liberty. As he concluded his speech, Mr. Howard quoted Vermont’s native son, Calvin Coolidge:
“If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the union and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont.”
Then as a final charge to those assembled, he read Chapter One, Article 18 of the Vermont Constitution, which holds as follows: “That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free; the people ought, therefore to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.”
The meeting concluded at 4:00 pm, but like other previous meetings few wished to leave. As the sun set over the green mountains of this little state, the fires of liberty burned just a bit brighter in her valleys.
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