Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, a large multi-issue grassroots organization that emerged out of the 2016 Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, officially endorsed Bernie for president in 2020 at our last general assembly on Feb. 9. This should come as no surprise; Bernie’s political positions have not changed other than perhaps to get more detailed and specific.

Bernie’s platform will directly affect our lives in Franklin County. Bernie continues to champion Medicare for All, arguing, rightly so, that health care is a human right, that insurance and drug companies should not profit from health care, and that there is no reason why the wealthiest nation on the planet cannot afford to provide comprehensive insurance for everyone. Bernie also espouses housing for all, which would protect tenants by implementing a national rent control standard and a “just-cause” requirement for evictions, ensuring the right to counsel in housing disputes, and building nearly 10 million permanently affordable housing units. Bernie’s entire inspiring platform may be found here: berniesanders.com/issues. Check it out.

One of the most exciting parts of Bernie’s platform is his expansive set of proposals for a Green New Deal which will, among other things:

— Quickly transform our energy system to 100 percent renewable energy while creating 20 million new jobs.

— Ensure a just transition for communities and workers, including guaranteed income, health care and pensions for fossil fuel workers and others displaced by the transition.

— Save American families money with investments in weatherization, public transportation, modern infrastructure and high-speed broadband.

— Commit to reducing emissions throughout the world, including providing $200 billion to the Green Climate Fund, rejoining the Paris Agreement, and reasserting the United States’ leadership in the global fight against climate change.

— Invest in conservation and public lands to heal our soils, forests, and prairie lands.

— Ensure environmental justice for communities that have been especially harmed by the carbon-based economy – such as Native Americans and other communities of color.

— End the greed of the fossil fuel industry and hold them accountable.

Bernie is the only candidate whose program reflects a full understanding that our house is on fire. When your house is on fire, you don’t walk around the edge with a watering can, gradually trying to put the fire out. Moderation is great when it comes to, as Naomi Klein says in her new book, “On Fire: The (Burning) Case for a Green New Deal,” alcohol consumption and hot fudge sundaes, but the days of moderation in addressing climate change are long past. Bernie’s plan, more than that of any other candidate, recognizes both the urgency of action and the connections between the climate crisis, racism, unfettered capitalism, mass migrations and the increased likelihood of armed conflict.

But what would a Green New Deal look like in Franklin County? We’re already begun this transition, in some cases, many years ago. We’ve had a community-owned food cooperative for some time and we see the increasing formation of worker-owned businesses that are grounded in their communities. We have Common Good (commongood.earth), “a local payment card that creates a funding pool for our shared dreams as a community.” To date, Common Good has invested $30,000 in funding for renewable energy, small business development, food systems, social justice, and the arts. Many of our towns are exploring community solar options and municipally owned broadband networks, since Verizon and Comcast wouldn’t offer these services to places where the population density is too low to make a profit. Works for us! And we are continually looking for opportunities to bring good-paying, union jobs to Franklin County and to increasing the housing stock to address the vast shortage of affordable housing. Stay tuned.

Some people who like Bernie’s platform and his understanding that we need to build a mass movement to enact his proposals are worried about his “electability”. This is a valid factor to consider, but we believe that right now, especially after New Hampshire, he is the most electable of the Democratic candidates for the following reasons: 1) He will inspire and turn out large numbers of young people who may otherwise not vote. 2) He is seen as authentic and not a political hack, and will win over some of the people in the key states that voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 and then narrowly went for Trump in 2016. These people will not vote for a mainstream Democrat. 3) The enthusiasm he is generating will translate into more electoral activism overall which will help Democrats up and down the ticket.

Join us by writing to info@fccpr.us.

Ferd Wulkan, a resident of Montague, is a member of the Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution.