Dear Editor,
I was scheduled to be the final speaker at the “No Kings” rally in Burlington last week. Unfortunately, the event ran longer than anticipated, and I was not able to address the crowd. Here’s what I had planned to say:
Good afternoon. My name is Larry Satcowitz. I’m a state representative from Randolph.
In these terrible and deeply disturbing times, it is a great joy to see you all today. Your presence gives me hope that we are a part of a large and growing resistance movement. Your presence gives me hope that we will thwart the billionaires and fascists that are currently in control of our federal government.
We heard many wonderful speakers today. One person, however, was notably absent: Our governor, Republican Phil Scott.
The Democratic Party is united in its opposition to Donald Trump. Every time a Democrat, like me, stands up, exactly no one is surprised. But opposition to Trump should not be a partisan issue. The president is destroying our democracy. He is destroying our economy. He is actively undermining our national security and the rule of law. These should not be partisan issues.
A Republican governor who spoke out loudly, boldly and vigorously against the travesty taking place in Washington would do so with a special kind of authority. I remind you that Donald Trump and Phil Scott are on the same team.
I and others have recently published commentaries that ran in outlets all over the state, calling on our governor to speak out forcefully against the horrors that we are protesting here today. Days later Phil Scott issued a statement saying, “We must not allow ourselves to be distracted or live in a constant state of fear, anger or outrage.”
I can tell you that I have been terribly distracted since Jan. 20, I’ve been afraid for my country ever since that date. I am angry every single time I read the news. This is our reality, and we must face it.
Phil Scott called what’s going on “national rhetoric.”
He further wrote: “To move the Nation past the chaos Washington is causing, we need to rise above it and lead by example.”
We do need to lead by example. The leaders who have preceded me on stage here today have done just that. If we followed our governor’s lead, we would not be here today at all.
There are Republicans who are opposed to what the president is doing. I believe Phil Scott is one of them. Imagine if he, as governor, took a clear, moral stand against the wrongdoings of the Trump administration. Imagine his leadership inspiring other Republican governors to stand up and do the same. Imagine the difference that would make for our country.
We need Phil Scott to oppose the cruelty of the administration in Washington in the strongest possible terms. We need him to oppose its recklessness in the strongest possible terms. We need him to oppose its outrageous corruption in the strongest possible terms.
Phil Scott frequently reminds us about how he is the governor of all Vermonters. All of us. Well, Phil, at this moment, we need you. We’ve never needed you more. Where are you? Why aren’t you here, with us, right now?
Rep. Larry Satcowitz, Randolph
Editor’s note: Satcowitz is a Democrat representing the Orange-Washington-Addison District in the Vermont House and the ranking member of the House Environment Committee.
