While I was going about Middlebury today, I stopped into a sporting store where I met the shop owner. Once he realized I am running for governor he laid into me for some ”appalling” homemade signage that had over-wintered and was now “littering” the roadside. So I am writing in humility to apologize for the eyesore of that signage carrying my name on it, and for the fact that it was there in the off-season.
But there is something I mostly certainly cannot apologize for. I cannot apologize for the work I have been doing for economic and political justice, nor is there any excuse for those contributors to political censorship creating the need for me to work in this radically homemade manner. Nor shall I apologize for the fact that I am standing tall for the left-right alliance agreeing to one appalling fact; both Democratic and Republican parties have failed us.
In Dr. Martin Luther King’s words: “Another thing we must do in speeding up the coming of the new age is to develop intelligent, courageous and dedicated leaders. This is a pressing need of the hour. The urgency of the hour is for leaders wise in judgment and sound integrity, leaders not in love with money, but in love with justice. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the task.”
I work to make Dr. King proud, as a leader who recognizes grace in low places and opposes evil in high places. If my appearance is blemished by unsightly homemade signs, or my hair is not perfectly quaffed, or my car looks lived in, I ask the voter to look past these elements and into my heart, where a brighter future gleams. I lead to a future where power is of the personal type, created by knowledge, and money is not speech, nor is there too little money for what matters. We need to end our participation in a system rigged against us. I hope that you will follow me, for the road I’m on leads to a way of life where respect, inspiration, creativity and love cherishes its very existence by expanding exponentially.
Here in Addison County I stand with you against the hypocrisy and stupidity of importing fracked gas, and work with you to bring Vermont’s self-reliance home. I give you alternative and better solutions for our energy future. I’m secure in my platform positions, and I know we will win. I know we will overcome because together we all shed light on corporate political conspirators and I have absolute certainty and faith because we have already overcome in our hearts.
Emily Peyton
Putney
Editor’s note: Emily Peyton is a candidate for governor of Vermont; she said she is running in the Republican primary. This is her third run for the office.