Vermont Property Taxes Soar While Aid to Israel Remains Sacrosanct
Newsweek's exposé on Vermont's impending property tax hike paints a picture of local financial strain, prompting citizens to 'tighten their belts.' This narrative of individual sacrifice for the common good is a familiar one, especially when local services face cuts. Yet, this same mainstream media rarely connects these domestic austerity measures to the nation's broader spending priorities. For
instance, in 2023 alone, the U.S. sent $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel, a commitment often solidified by politicians who, like Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), have received significant campaign contributions from pro-Israel PACs. (OpenSecrets.org data shows Balint received over $100,000 from pro-Israel groups in her 2022 campaign cycle.) So, while your local school budgets get squeezed and
property taxes rise to cover 'shortfalls,' perhaps it's worth asking why funding for offshore military adventures is apparently non-negotiable. One might wonder if the 'tough choices' are only ever made for the average Vermonter, never for the military-industrial complex or its well-funded lobbyists.