“With unemployment extended benefits being stopped on the 10th, what are our people…going to live on?" asked JoAnn from Huntington, Vt. “I have relatives who are going to lose their place of living and have nowhere to go.” “I have a small business,” John from New Haven, Vt., wrote to Senator Bernie Sanders. “We were doing great before the economic meltdown. Now we struggle every day.” JoAnn and John were among more than 100 Vermonters who e-mailed the senator after reading the latest edition of The Vermont Bernie Buzz. They and others shared their thoughts and concerns on a range of issues, including the economy, the federal stimulus program, the new health care law, immigration reform, the nation’s long-term debt and veterans’ issues. To see the senator’s answers to some others who wrote to The Vermont Bernie Buzz, click here. To send a message to the senator, click here. To see the latest Vermont Bernie Buzz, click here. To sign up for the Buzz, click here.

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“I have a small business. We were doing great before the economic meltdown and now we struggle everyday … This is because during this time we have gotten behind on all of our payments: Everything from the mortgage to the vendors. Our circumstances are not so different than many other small businesses. … We need loan programs for small businesses that allow borrowing even with not so good credit. We also need those programs to reflect the new reality where businesses have good cash flow yet have lost their equity due to the devaluing of real estate through no fault of their own and had their credit destroyed by malfeasance on Wall Street.”
John from New Haven, Vt.

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“Please support the efforts to eliminate or adjust the filibuster rules in the Senate after the new Senators are seated. If there are as few as 50 Democratic Senators left, it would still be possible. We are so tired of everything being held up, compromises being included and the whole effort being filibustered. The filibuster may be technically constitutional, but it violates the spirit of the Constitution.”
Linda from Rutland, Vt.

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“Bernie, Thank you for your strong efforts concerning veterans. Being one enables me to appreciate what you’re doing even more. Please continue to fight for the vets.”
Allan from St. Johnsbury, Vt.

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“Senator Sanders, with unemployment extended benefits being stopped on the 10th, what are our people who aren't on welfare going to live on? …  I know that I have relatives who are going to lose their place of living and have nowhere to go. What is up with our government? Our people need help.”
JoAnn from Huntington, Vt.

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“We are very concerned about the amount of government debt as related to the sinking economy, and bad effects on our 401K retirement plan. We only have a few years to retirement age and don't have time to recover from losses.”
Jean from St. Johnsbury, Vt.

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“I applaud your speech to Congress on your Oil Tax Break Amendment. Keep up the good work. May God bless you!”
Adrienne from Swanton, Vt