Write in "Rama Schneider" for Vermont Governor
in the general election.

You can find the ideas I'm using for my platform at ConnectedVermont ... what we do here and now matters.

Note: ConnectedVermont is a trademark registered in the state of Vermont to Rama Schneider. The statements on that site regarding growing an organization are current and not to be connected with my gubernatorial campaign.

 

Some questions and answers ...

• Rama, is this a serious candidacy?

  I am serious about what I am doing here, and in this case it is running for Governor. And yes, I believe I can do the job. The question of "serious candidacy" is up to you and others to answer. Simply put: This isn't about me. This is about an agenda, and if I'm not wanted for the job, then folks will let me know.

• What is up with this sucky website?

  I agree with that assessment, but I've got better things to do then make a temporary site look good. If you're having trouble finding what you're looking for, then I'm interested. Thanks for asking.

• Why are you running for Governor?

  We need to take immediate, meaningful actions if we are going to provide our children and their children a realistic opportunity for a healthy and sustainable future. The Governor's office is unique in its overall ability to coordinate policies and actions and provide resources as it is the Governor that sets the administration's agenda and schedule.

  The Governor's ability to move forward in a particular policy direction is determined most by who is chosen for immediate advisors and cabinet/department head members. I will be looking to bring in forward looking people who have a track record of being right and have shown they will aggressively push the agenda as outlined at ConnectedVermont.

• What would a successful outcome of this effort look like?

  I have a favorite metaphore: a funnel. Now bear with me ... funnels are used to restrict the flow of something from a wide mouth to a much smaller opening. That's very familiar, the concept is to carefully control where the product being poured ends up, right?

  Now imagine turning that funnel upside down, pouring one's liquid in the small opening with the expectation that it will come out anywhere within the larger opening. We are preparing for an essentially wide open future from the standpoint of our contemporary, narrow view of what is to come.

  My fundamental approach to the tasks necessary to moving forward will be design and implementation of systems that provide for realistic, healthy choices on the part of coming generations. As my metaphore suggests, I will be focusing on setting up and beginning processes that provide a solid foundation for future decisions made by future decision makers.

  So what does success look like?

  • I get re-elected. This is not tongue in cheek. My agenda and schedule will be aggressive, and, because Vermont holds statewide elections every two years, folks will have a quick opportunity to judge our state's administration under my Governorship.
  • We will have a system of local community (towns, cities) resiliancy with statewide supported redundancy in emergency services, availability of day to day necessities, educational services and more.
  • Our public schools will be responsive to student educational needs and local community attributes such as size and support.
  • We will replace older housing stock and update the newer for weatherization and longevity.
  • We will have a rural public transportation system reducing the need for a personal vehicle.
  • We will have electrified 100% of small trucks and other personal transportation.
  • We will all feel involved in a positive movement, and we will all feel that real, measurable action has been and is being taken.
  • We will have and continue to consider what current and predictable events might bring our way. Communities will be thinking about and possibly planning for migrations from coastal areas, increased severity of storms, hardening local infrastructure, improving community cohesiveness, and more.
• Why are you running as a write-in candidate instead of petitioning to have your name placed on the ballot?

  There are several parts to my response:

  • My process for having my name placed on any of the ballots is perfectly legal and completely transparent.
  • At this time I am not interested in associating myself with any political party, and should I actually win one of the primaries, I will not accept the nomination.
  • The primaries will be my best chance for measuring the results of whatever outreach I do. I will be talking to everybody, and I know from experience that there's a wide breadth of Vermonters who find that they and I are in general agreement. I need to be able to make use of any and all measuring sticks available to me.
  • I know the upcoming process inside and out. I've been a student of sorts of the Vermont elections process and associated news coverage since the late 1980s. I know at some point every candidate needs to show they can get the votes to be taken seriously. I will need to make a judgement after the primaries regarding where my energies go.