Crisscrossing the state during the congressional recess, Sen. Bernie Sanders is hosting a series of very well-attended town meetings with Vermonters to discuss how the economic crisis has impacted their lives.  The senator concludes his series of public forums Thursday night in South Burlington - an event which will be STREAMED LIVE AT 7PM TONIGHT on the senator's website for those who cannot attend in person.   "We want to talk about reality," Sanders said. "I want people to stand up and tell us what's happening in their lives."  Hundreds of Vermonters have already attended events to share with their senator and their neighbors the struggles they face.  More than 300 people showed up Wednesday in Bennington, a capacity crowd filled the St. Albans Historic Museum on Monday, and more than 200 filled the Old Labor Hall in Barre - including one U.S. senator and former comedian from Minnesota. 

Sanders organized these free public forums in order to give Vermonters the opportunity to discuss the recession which continues to confront families across America.  The meetings help the senator understand the realities they are actually facing in their everyday lives.  They also help people understand that their neighbors often face the same economic struggles.  "When we hear from each other, when we lean on each other, we become stronger," Sanders said according to the St. Albans Messenger.

The senator knows that for millions of families across the country, the recession is far from over.  "When you turn on the TV today, you hear, ‘The recession is over. Everyone is doing just fine.'  Does anyone believe that?" Sanders asked the crowd in Barre.  Cries of "No!" poured from the audience.

"What you see out there is people are working incredibly hard and they're going nowhere in a hurry," Sanders said Wednesday according to the Bennington Banner. "You know why people are angry? It's because they're working really hard and at the end of the day they are worse off than they used to be."

To RSVP on Facebook for Thursday's meeting in South Burlington, click here.

To read the St. Albans Messenger article from Monday's meeting, click here.

To read the Bennington Banner front page article from Wednesday's meeting, click here.

To read the Bernie Buzz article on the meeting in Barre, click here.