Bernie Sanders: The Mayor of Prosperity and his Model for Rebuilding America

Bernie's motivations for economic thrift and limits on tax increases were two-fold. Unlike Republicans today, who create tax policies that primarily benefit their billionaire masters, Bernie was determined to protect working class families from as much financial burden as he could. And, his intention was to keep Burlington as affordable as possible for all of its citizens.

Bernie also believes that the key to democracy lies in the power of an activated citizenry, and that it is a responsibility of government to help in meeting the human needs of the people. Consequently, Burlington's neighborhood groups found a responsive ear in him. I saw that he was sensitive to their needs; he promoted open government and actively encouraged residents to sit on planning committees so their ideas could be included in his initiatives.

In another of his first acts, Bernie established the Mayor's Task Force on the Arts (renamed Burlington City Arts (BCA) in 1990). Under its leadership, the city invested heavily in the arts and cultivated neighborly cohesion by organizing free city festivals, open-air concerts and an art gallery for local artists. In 1983, Burlington became the fourth city in the world to embrace the First Night concept, an annual city-wide, alcohol-free, day-long arts and entertainment festival that welcomes in the New Year. It was a thrill to participate in these activities! They enriched our lives and awakened a city-wide appreciation for the value of culture in a lively economy.

The city also began encouraging and supporting community gardens, and it started a little league in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods. I coached in that league for two years and I saw how it enhanced neighborly relationships and empowered social participation within that community. And, in 1984, Bernie led the negotiations that brought the Vermont Reds, a minor league AA baseball farm team for the Cincinnati Reds, to Burlington. For those of us who love the game, Bernie brought us Baseball Nirvana!

Sports and the arts add tremendous value to a city's livability and Bernie understood this. After all, residents and businesses who are happy with life in their city are more likely to participate in promoting and protecting its economic and social health. Sure enough, this new vitality ignited Burlington's identity as a community.

To further spark Burlington's economic health, Bernie sought to bring the city's business leaders together. Like the Board of Aldermen, the business community was initially angered and terrified by his election. However, as Bernie reached out to them, they found that he was very supportive of locally-owned and operated business development. Ultimately, the business community's upper echelon went to bat for him in his battle with the Board of Aldermen, and their support helped him win approval to establish his Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO).

In Bernie's vision, the economic benefits of business should stay focused in the local economy for the simple reason that vibrant local businesses with plenty of local jobs are at the heart of a healthy community. CEDO's mission is to supply the ingredients necessary to nurture a robust local economy. As long as Burlington's businesses agreed to behave responsibly toward their employees and the community, CEDO was generous with money and technical support for existing businesses and entrepreneurial startups.

Burlington implemented Bernie's vision of a "hand-up, and not a hand-out" for the poor and the working class. Just like the rest of us, struggling people are human beings who want living-wage jobs so they can comfortably pay their bills. They want clean, affordable housing in safe neighborhoods with infrastructure in good repair. They want reliable health care and good schools so their children can have bright futures. They want to have a sense of meaning and purpose in their lives and to know that who they are matters to their communities.

As Bernie sees it, a good government passes laws and implements policies that protect local economies. A good government provides support, infrastructure and seed money to businesses that create jobs and are committed to the economic health and wellbeing of their communities.

According to Bernie, a government that represents the people should never give corporations financial incentives to export jobs. Most of all, our government should never withhold unemployment benefits, food stamps and social services from the unemployed and their families as punishment because their jobs have left town.

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