Shatter Nicely » Vermont politics

Yearly Homeschool Enrollment-Induced Anti-Government Rant

Charity — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:41:19 +0000

The reason that I started having strong libertarian tendencies is that I started homeschooling. There is nothing like trying to live outside the mainstream to make you realize how ridiculous the government can be.

Right now, I am working on gathering some information for the Vermont Department of Education’s Home Study Office to complete my enrollment. They felt like my paperwork was not complete enough.

First of all, I have been homeschooling for 5 full school years and I have never had a problem, so they know that I know what I am doing.

I have one son who just finished first grade. For his “Health,” I said he learned “about dental health; hand washing after bathroom, upon coming in from outside, and before eating to avoid spreading germs; healthy eating habits; and safety rules at home and in the neighborhood. He also learned about managing his asthma.”

They sent me a letter saying they needed portfolio samples for this subject.

Are you frakking kidding me?? They need proof that I taught my first grader to wash is hands, brush his teeth, and eat his vegetables?

That, folks, is bureaucracy in action – your tax dollars at work!

Going through this BS every stinking year is why I will always have a general dislike of big government.

Come Have Coffee with Philip Baruth (and me, too!)

Charity — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:07:50 +0000

I am organizing a tweet-up (or in non-twitter user parlance, a get-together) for the Philip Baruth State Senate campaign.

If you are a local reading this blog, chances are you found it via Philip’s blog, The Vermont Daily Briefing. And if you’re a VDB reader, you probably know that Philip would make a great state senator.

This is your chance to meet Philip, or see him again. Ask him some questions, or just say “hi.” Either way, drop on by August First Bakery & Cafe at 149 S. Champlain Street in Burlington this coming Tuesday, August 10, from 4-6 PM.

The coffee and the conversation will be hot, the pastries will be free, and good times will be had by all.

You can RSVP to the event here or leave a comment on this post, or just drop on by. We don’t mind. Although, as the event planner, I have to admit I would prefer an RSVP. We don’t want to run out of free pastries. I’m told that they are the best around.

Hope to see you there!

And, if you haven’t seen it, here is a campaign video that was made by another blogger friend of mine, Bill Simmon. If this doesn’t make you want to go out and vote for Philip, I am not sure what will.

Dubie for Vermont YouTube Channel

Charity — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:51:38 +0000

The Dubie for Vermont YouTube channel is here.

I have no earth-shattering commentary. I just wanted to be the first to post it.