Pat Political: What Governor Platform Should Be-3

My Issues

A Real Health Cae System for Vermont
Vermont needs a single-payer, universal Health Care system financed by an income tax on all income generated in Vemont.
Biomass Fuel
We need a biomass fuel economy in Vermont, with hemp grown for vegetable diesel fuel and waste vegetation fermented for ethanol. Biomass fuel is a triple win for Vermont. It will cut the pollution of petroleum products, provide the basis for many local businesses, and cut the cost of oil and gasoline in half.
Education
I want to see Vemont schools today as good as were the one-room schools of sixty years ago.
Electoral reform
We need IRV for instate voting and proportional allocation in the Electoral College. IRV offers Vermonters the best way to indicate their full preferences and at the same time to keep elections within the electoral process.
Taxes
Taxes shouldn't be "high" or "low", but what is required to pay for what we need, and should be on real wealth.

November 2005

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November 29, 2005

What Governor Platform Should Be-3

We presently fund education through property taxes.

Interestingly, if we were to achieve some sort of single payer universal health care system, property taxes for education would be lower immediately, since health care expense for teachers is one of the largest school budget items.

But the real question is whether in our time education should be funded by property taxes at all.

Governor Douglas has said that we should continue to fund education through property taxes because it is traditional to do so.

But at that earlier time ownership of property equated with wealth. And it was an equitable solution to have the wealth of the community pay the costs of education. Today many people own property who are not wealthy.

Wealth today is expressed in income. Once again to let the wealth of the community fund the costs of education would seem the equitable solution.

Therefore a mandatory tiered education tax on all income generated in Vermont, including that of the out of state owned corporations like Wal-mart would seem appropriate.

November 29, 2005 in Campaign issues | Permalink

Comments

Good points all Pat. Well put!

Posted by: mwb | November 30, 2005 at 01:26 PM

I'd like to see your progressive income tax with the number of children they have in government schools. The wealthier you are and the more kids you have in the schools, the more you should pay. This would help offset the property taxes for elderly folks on fixed incomes. It would also help the young people who are just starting out in life without kids, making it easier for them to get into their first home.

Hardy

Posted by: Hardy Machia | December 02, 2005 at 12:03 AM

One of the roadblocks for a socialized health care system is that the teachers union (and state employees union) has already come out against any system that doesn't give them everything they currently have. If we use their benefits as the least common denominator, then the overall cost of health care in Vermont will be much more that it presently is.

The wealth of society is a combination of income, stuff, standard of living, property,... America is one of the wealthiest societies in the world because even many of our poor have tvs, cable, cars, phones, health care,... Compare Vermont's poor to 75% of the world and they are seen as rich.

-Hardy

Posted by: Hardy Machia | December 02, 2005 at 12:08 AM

*Pat Hejny in ICU @ CVMC*

While I do not have much in the way of detailed information to share and, there is *no prognosis* as of yet either, I was informed this morning that Pat *apparently* had a stroke on Friday (December 2nd).

Pat was taken to the Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC), where she has been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

CVMC has been given instructions to give the widest latitude possible regarding inquiries as to her condition as well as to allowing in visitors (yet it is of course always best to be patient and understanding to any limitations placed in such, especially right now, given she is currently in ICU).

When more information becomes available to share with others, I will pass on what details I am given to do so.

Posted by: Morgan W. Brown | December 04, 2005 at 01:14 PM

7 am, Monday, December 5th

Pat is resting comfortably in the Intensive Care Unit of Central Vermont Medical Center. I haven't visited her yet this morning, but I talked to the nurse a while ago.

We are still waiting on an MRI for a more specific diagnosis and prognosis ... that is expected today or tomorrow.

As my mom's attorney in fact for all issues I have instructed the hospital to allow any and all visitors they deem possible and are able to accomodate. The Central Vermont community has meant a lot to mother over the last 13 years ... I know she would want the whole area to crowd around her bedside.

If you do visit just be aware that Pat is not able to communicate, and I can offer no guarantee she will be aware you are there. There are times she does seem aware however ... she appears to respond to voices at times, and seems to enjoy being read to.

As Pat's son I want to thank everyone out there. You folks have helped my mother fulfill several life long fantasies and desires.

When I know more I will certainly let everyone know, and I will try to post here just to let folks know of her condition.

Once again, thank you all so very much,
Rama Schneider

Posted by: Rama Schneier (Pat's son) | December 05, 2005 at 07:26 AM

Thank you for the update(s) Rama. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Morgan W. Brown | December 05, 2005 at 04:31 PM

Hello again folks. I'm still having issues on starting a new post so it's a comment for me again.

My mom (Pat) has had a very serious stroke, and the general prognosis is not good. She is still in the ICU of Central Vermont Medical Center.

If folks wish to visit her the invitation is open as much as the ICU can/will allow.

If you need more information please email me at rama@ramabahama.net

Posted by: Rama Schneider (Pat's son) | December 06, 2005 at 04:31 AM

Rama,

Pass along my best wishes to your mom.

Hardy

Posted by: Hardy Machia | December 07, 2005 at 01:49 PM

Paid Pat a visit this afternoon/early this evening.

She was transferred to the second floor today and is in room 239B.

Posted by: Morgan W. Brown | December 07, 2005 at 07:52 PM

My mom will be moving across the street to the Berlin Nursing Home sometime today (Friday, 12/9).

She is now in end of life care with full prority given to comfort. Part of that comfort is seeing family, friends and co workers ... all are invited to visit.

Those of you who know Pat will be glad to know she bounced back well enough to regain control of her life and make her own decisions regarding her health care.

Posted by: Rama Schneider (Pat's son) | December 09, 2005 at 06:53 AM

Peace be with you, Pat.

Posted by: scully | December 09, 2005 at 11:00 AM

Peace be with you, Pat.

Posted by: scully | December 09, 2005 at 11:00 AM

When I came across the article within yesterday's (Monday, December 12, 2005) edition of the Times Argus concerning how a "House study committee dominated by Democrats this week will recommend that Vermont levy a 1.5 percent flat income tax to help pay for education and reduce Vermonter's ever-increasing property tax burdens" ( http://xrl.us/i7gm [shortened url via Metamark; link to www.timesargus.com]), my thoughts brought me to this blog post and of how it is definitely about time something along the lines of this concept was debated and, one can only hope, adopted.

However this could prove to merely be some form of political ploy or football on behalf of Democrats to use with elections coming up next year.

It is high time something both different and better was done to fund education.

Let us just hope they as well as others will be serious about doing something real and meaningful in these regards, yet I will not be holding my breath either.

Posted by: Morgan W. Brown | December 13, 2005 at 06:40 AM

Pat died at 8:21 this morning (Tuesday). Her memorial is being scheduled for Saturday morning at the Church of the Good Shephard in Barre.

Posted by: Rama, Pat's son | December 13, 2005 at 03:40 PM

Rest in Peace, Pat. I only met you once, but you touched me with your kindness.

To all who knew her, especially her family, my condolences on your loss. Be strong and love one another.

Posted by: scully | December 13, 2005 at 09:57 PM

Rama: I'll look in the paper for the time of the service on Saturday, but perhaps you could post it here as well. I'll check back.

Posted by: scully | December 13, 2005 at 10:03 PM

Patricia Allen Hejny died at the age of 79 the morning of Tuesday, December 13th, 2005 at the Berlin Health and Rehab Center in Berlin, VT. Her son Gesualdo Schneider and his wife Loretta were by her side, and they said Pat's passing was very peaceful.

Pat was born Patricia Allen Tunis in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 1926. She spent most of her growing years in New Jersey. After moving to Chicago with her parents she met her first husband Botho Schneider and their marriage was followed by children and, years later, a move to New York. Following the death of Botho, Pat met and married Joseph Hejny, and they moved to Vermont in the early 1990s where they lived with Pat's son Rama Schneider and his wife Grace Bagalio.

Patricia's higher education was begun as a young woman at Radcliff College in Cambridge, Mass and was finished at New York Medical College with commencement in 1989. She participated widely in the Central Vermont community by being an actress, gubernatorial candidate, planning commission member, volunteering at soup kitchens, guardian ad litum, active church member and much more.

She is preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Eleanor Tunis, her first husband Botho Schneider, her second husband Joseph Hejny and her sixth child Aoie. Pat is survived by her daughter Juliet Schneider Devitt, four sons Michel, Gesualdo, Nara and Rama Schneider, their spouses and 8 grandchildren. She is also survived by a large extended family that came with her marriage to Joe.

Patricia's memorial service is scheduled for 10am, Saturday, December 17, 2005 followed by a social gathering and food. In lieu of flowers or other memorial gifts please make a donation to the local food bank.

Posted by: Rama, Pat's son | December 14, 2005 at 01:44 PM

Forgot to include: memorial at the Church of the Good Shephard in Barre, VT

Posted by: Rama, Pat's son | December 14, 2005 at 01:51 PM

This week's Vermont Public Radio (VPR) VT Edition show, aired weekly on Wednesday's during the noon hour, will include a remembrance of Pat.

For those who cannot catch it live either via radio or streaming online feed, the show is also available via archived podcast as well.

For more information, visit:
http://www.vpr.net/vt_edition/index.shtml

Posted by: Morgan W. Brown | December 20, 2005 at 09:02 PM

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. As an educator myself, I feel strongly that we need to, not only increase funding for our schools, but also make sure those funds are used in the most advantageous way possible.

Posted by: panasianbiz | July 13, 2006 at 08:47 PM

Great analysis. Please update

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Posted by: Pozycjonowanie | November 02, 2006 at 09:48 PM

Pat,

You are truly missed in so many ways my dear friend, including during this years race for Governor, especially given I have not a clue whom to vote for (and you know me, I will not cast a vote to simply vote against someone else, I have to believe they deserve my vote as well as the office they are seeking).

That said, please rest assured that there are those who are trying to keep them as honest as is possible, even though we may not always measure up to the high level you managed to do so tirelessly.

You as well as your many efforts and work over the few years I knew you are remembered well and very frequently.

While I have missed the conversations we use to share with each other on a fairly regular basis, I also know you are in a much better, more peaceful place.

By the way, you would be please to know I am Wintering again at the same location as the last two seasons. In addition, I have reunited with an old friend earlier this year, visited them a couple of months ago and also reconnected with certain family members when I was in the area.

On top of that, one my (now adult) children whom I had not seen for nearly two full decades found me online through my blog just the other day and the two of them visited me yesterday. It was glorious. You would have been pleased and proud. I only wish you could have met them and they you, you would have liked them very much and I think they would have really liked meeting and talking with you as well.

Peace,

Morgan

Posted by: Morgan W. Brown | November 05, 2006 at 03:20 PM

Posted by: Naomi | November 12, 2006 at 08:18 AM

The comments to this entry are closed.

Pat Political

Plenty of bad things these days. I saw the start of a lot of them. Here's what I know. We'll talk about what we can do.

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November 29, 2005

What Governor Platform Should Be-3

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